|
Shock rise in
children contacting ChildLine about parents' drinking and drug
taking
THE number of children
counselled by ChildLine because their parents were drinking too much
or taking drugs more than doubled last year; averaging fifteen
counselling sessions a day to the free, 24 hour helpline.
ChildLine carried out 5,323 counselling sessions with children
worried about their parents' abuse of drink or drugs; up from 2,509
the previous year. Most of the children counselled were 12 to 15
years old, although 1 in 10 were of primary school age.
Last year (2012/13) ChildLine counsellors at the Liverpool base
carried out 280 counselling sessions with children and young people
via telephone, online chat and email who were concerned about
parental drug and alcohol abuse.
The figures contrast with a long term fall in violent crime in
England and Wales, thought to be partially influenced by the rising
cost of alcohol. Research is needed to explain the sudden increase
but it would appear that more children are witnessing drunken
behaviour and experiencing violence at home, or they are more aware
that help is available.
Many children told ChildLine that
they lived in fear of their parents' anger, with 1 in s6 saying they'd been physically hurt
by their mum or dad when they were under the influence. Some
reported living in dirty and even dangerous surroundings, lacking
essentials because money was frittered on alcohol or drugs.
Children spoke of feeing helpless and didn't know where to go for
support. 19% said the stress of their situation had led to them
feeling depressed, self harming, or having suicidal thoughts.
One child told ChildLine:- "My dad has been drinking and
taking drugs a lot recently; it's ruining our family. He gets angry
when he has been drinking so he says nasty things to us like we are
stupid and worthless. I'm finding it difficult to deal with because
underneath it all I know he's a really good dad."
Janet Boden, ChildLine Service
Manager in Liverpool, said:- "These shocking ChildLine
statistics are sadly only one small piece of the jigsaw. Official
estimates are that around 250,000 children in the UK have parents
with drug problems, and three in 10 children live with at least one
binge drinking parent. It's heart-breaking that so many young people
struggle alone because they do not know where to go for help or are
unsure of what might happen if they speak to someone. They may fear
being taken away from their families by social services and put into
care and believe that they are protecting their family by keeping
quiet. Some children tell us their parents are under stress and it
may be that they are using drink and drugs to blot out worries about
jobs, money or housing issues. But whatever the reasons behind the
rise, it's vital that anyone who knows a parent with drink or drug
problems takes action to get that family help so that their children
are protected."
Children can seek help by contacting ChildLine on:- 0800 1111 or on:-
childline.org.uk. Adults with concerns about a child should call the
NSPCC helpline on:- 0808 800 5000.
Did you
know? The NSPCC is using public donations to fund specific services across
the UK for families affected by drug and alcohol problems and is
building an evidence base to help statutory services better meet the
needs of children growing up in such circumstances.
|
 |
Children
challenged to grow the 'fattest sunflower face'
CHILDREN from Southport up
to the end of May 2014 are being challenged by a national charity to
grow the 'fattest sunflower face'. Youngsters from the
town are invited to participate in the growing competition organised
by bibic, which helps children and young people with conditions
affecting their social, communication and learning abilities.
Geoff Cummins, Chief Executive for bibic, explained:- "As part
of our Smile Campaign, which aims to raise awareness of our Sponsor
a UK Child initiative, we are running a competition for children
aged up to 16 years old to grow one of the smiliest plants around,
the sunflower. The aim of the competition is to grow the
sunflower with the fattest face and the seeds youngsters will use
have been bred especially to have large flower 'heads'.
We have joined forces with
online garden centre
and the company has kindly donated 100 packets of the special
sunflower seeds for any greenfingered children who would like to
take part. We know that many schools have gardening clubs and we
would love it if they could get involved too. As well as entering
our competition they could have their own in house one too."
The competition is also a fundraiser for bibic through a £1
donation, which people will be asked to make when they order their
seeds.
bibic helps children and young people aged from 6 months to
18 years old with conditions affecting their social, communication
and learning abilities to achieve their potential for a happier and
more fulfilled life. These include developmental conditions
such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome and brain injury.
bibic's Sponsor a UK Child initiative gives people the opportunity
to change a child's life forever. The charity currently has 2
children, Zoe and Ray, who can be sponsored. For a donation of
£5 each month, sponsors receive pictures of their chosen child
together with their story, an update on their progress every 6
months, drawings or letters and a certificate and thank you drawing
via the charity. There is no direct contact between the child and
their families and the sponsor.
Geoff added:- "In September, children will be asked to measure
their sunflower across the middle of its 'face', excluding petals.
We would then like them to take a photo of their sunflower and
complete the entry form. All entries must be submitted via
email before midnight on 30 September 2014 to hello@potterandrest.co.uk
with the entry form and a photo of the sunflower attached to the
email."
There are 2 titles to be won; Regional Winner and National Winner.
The 5 regional winners will each receive a £10 Potter & Rest voucher
and a certificate. The National Winner will be the entrant
whose sunflower 'face' was recorded as the largest and they
will receive a certificate and a £50 Potter & Rest voucher. The
overall winner's school will also be presented with a £50 Potter and
Rest voucher.
Potterandrest aims to be the largest 'true'
garden centre online with free expert advice available to gardeners
via telephone and social media backed by a 5 year plant guarantee.
The e-garden centre hopes to appeal to all levels of gardeners from
complete novices to keen amateurs and on to expert gardeners.
Geoff continued:- "We hope lots of youngsters from Southport
will get involved in the competition. It is a fun way for them to
learn more about gardening and help bibic at the same time."
bibic is a registered charity that receives no government funding
and relies on support and donations to provide the life-changing
help needed by many children and their families. The charity
has a national assessment centre in Somerset. Its therapists work
closely with families nationwide to create a therapy programme,
which provides them with the skills and strategies to support their
child or children.
If you would like to support bibic's work and wish to make a £5
donation to the charity, please text KIDS02 £5 to 70070 or for a £10
donation text KIDS02 £10 to 70070.
For more information,
please call bibic on:- 01458 253344, visit:-
bibic.org.uk.
LOST MEDICATION
ON DEWSON RD/RAWSON ROAD, SEAFORTH
MERSEYSIDE Police are
currently appealing for the public to be cautious after a quantity
of prescription medication was lost in the Seaforth area on Monday,
19 May 2014. It is believed the medication, consisting of 24 tablets
of Procyclidine and 12 tablets of Escitalopram, may have been
dropped between Dewson Road and Rawson Road at about 11.30am.
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. Officers are warning people
that taking any medication that hasn't been prescribed for them can
be dangerous and can even prove fatal. Anyone who finds the
medication is asked to hand it in to any Pharmacy or Police Station.
Officers can also be contacted via the Police Non-Emergency:- 101
number.
|
