GIVE THE GIFT OF CARING.. IT JUST KEEPS GIVING
Volunteer gives up his Christmas Day to offer support to children
CHRISTMAS should be a magical time of year for all children – but sadly that’s often not the case.
The festive season can be especially difficult for those suffering from abuse, depression, bullying and dealing with family issues.
That’s why Steven Clark will once again be giving up his time on Christmas Day to volunteer with Childline and help support kids and young people in need.
As a former care worker, Steven, 48, from Hamilton, knows the issues children face in their dayto-day lives.
When he was forced to give up work due to MS, he knew he could still make a difference by volunteering with Childline.
Steven said: “I’ve been with Childline for three years and I answer emails, online chats and voice calls.
“I used to be a residential care worker and this work carries on from there because I know some of the things these kids are going through.
“I was also a support worker for an adult with severe autism and I had to give up working because of MS.
“I missed working with the children who have gone through different types of abuse and trauma and giving them a safe adult to talk to that they wouldn’t usually have.”
He added: “I’ll be volunteering on Christmas Day and I’ve worked the last two Christmases.
“Christmas is supposed to be a wonderful time for kids, full of fun and joy with the family. But for thousands of kids it’s a really dark place.
“They have been through trauma, or they’re going through trauma, so giving up a few hours and trying to give those children a voice and someone to talk to is my motivation for coming in.
“There is an increase in young people getting in touch at this time of year.
“We still get roughly the same issues coming through, such as depression, low mood, family relationships, bullying, suicide.
“What we see is a lower mood at Christmas because it’s a really rubbish time for them and those feelings seem to intensify.” For more than 30 years, Childline have been there for children and teenagers in need.
However, due to rising demand for online, evening and night-time counselling, the NSPCC service can now only respond to three in every four young people who need help.
The Daily Record has teamed up with NSPCC for a joint festive campaign, Light Up Christmas for Children, which is raising crucial funds for Childline.
Steven has seen first-hand the difference this vital service can make and that’s why he is urging the public to get behind the campaign.
He said: “Any donations will help us to keep going and get more counsellors. A few pounds could make a big difference.
“For a lot of children, phoning in can help turn their lives around.
“I love what I do but if I come in one day and I’m told, ‘There’s no child in danger now, we don’t need you any more’, that would be fantastic.”