THE NSPCC’s Childline service, which has a base here in Yorkshire, is there for children and young people when they feel they have no one else to turn to.

Over the last year (April 2023 March 2024), our volunteer counsellors delivered 2,879 counselling sessions to children across the UK experiencing emotional abuse. On average, eight children a day contacted the service about emotional abuse. This represents a five per cent increase on the previous year, and includes any type of abuse that involves the continual emotional mistreatment of a child, such as deliberately trying to scare, humiliate, isolate or ignore them.

Young people contacting Childline reported being verbally abused, criticised and humiliated. They said they were being isolated, ignored, prevented from having friends and blamed for things they didn’t do. Emotional abuse can be difficult to spot; signs can be different at different ages, and as children grow up their emotions change, which can make spotting signs even harder. Often, children experiencing emotional abuse might lack confidence or self-assurance. They may struggle to control emotions, have difficulty making/maintaining relationships or might act in a way that’s inappropriate for their age.

We all have a role to play in preventing children from being abused and neglected, which is why we’re calling on communities to rally together on Friday, June 7 and support our Childhood Day celebrations. Childhood Day is our flagship fundraising event, encouraging people to take part in fun games or sponsored events like the Childhood Day Mile to raise funds and support NSPCC services like Childline. Whether you run, walk, cycle or take to a space hopper to move a mile, with friends, family, colleagues or pets, you’ll be helping to support vital services.

Schools can also take part; pupils can parade around the playground, dance in the dinner hall or lunge between lessons. Every school that signs up will get a free welcome pack, including a Childhood Day Mile spinner for use on the day, as a fun way to choose how to move a mile.

Our fundraising teams are holding collections and need volunteers. Volunteering is a great way to connect with your community, make friends and have fun, supporting the NSPCC to help keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

Over time and without the right support, emotional abuse can have long lasting effects on a child’s health. So it’s essential that services like Childline are here. Every £4 raised for Childhood Day could help a Childline counsellor answer a call to a child in need of help.

Lidl GB is sponsoring Childhood Day for a third year and are holding activities with staff and customers - keep an eye out in your local store. For more about Childhood Day, visit nspcc.org.uk/support-us/charity-fundraising/childhood-day