Charity aims to double number of children it helps with launch of new campaign

By The Press Association8th October 2018News ScotlandCharities, Child Abuse, Child Protection, Childrens Services, News Scotland

A children’s charity has launched a campaign to double the number of youngsters it supports over the next five years.

Children 1st helped 10,000 children and their families last year and aims to dramatically increase this figure by 2023 as demand for its services increases.

Its ‘Give A Child Their Smile Back’ campaign includes a television advert aimed at capturing the effects of traumatic experiences on young people.

The charity aims to prevent child abuse and neglect, and help children and adults to recover from the impact of childhood adversity and trauma.

The organisation’s interim chief executive, Mary Glasgow (pictured), said: “It’s now widely recognised that adverse childhood experiences, and the resulting trauma, are the single biggest health and social care issue affecting children and families in Scotland today.

“The average child in need of support has to wait months, and in many areas no specialist support is available, so we must act now.”

She continued: “Through our Give A Child Their Smile Back campaign, we’re determined to reach the children and families in Scotland who need us, give them hope and bring happiness back into their lives. For that, we need the nation’s support.

“Any donation big or small will make a profound difference to the lives of many children and their families.”