Rachel goes national with campaign to beat bullies

AN Angus schoolgirl’s anti-bullying work has led to her recruitment by a national charity to help it prevent child abuse.

Rachel Talbot, 14, is one of just 15 teenagers from around the UK on the NSPCC’s new Young People’s Board for Change.

The Brechin High School S3 pupil, who experienced bullying in primary school, played a pivotal role in developing the Think B4 You Type campaign with the NSPCC and charity respectme.

Her work with fellow members of the Angus youth advisory group persuaded Angus Council to change its anti-bullying policy.

Rachel will play a defining role with the NSPCC, helping to shape and influence its work as the UK’s leading child protection charity.

She and 14 fellow board members, aged between 13 and 16, will raise awareness of what matters most to young people and advise staff and trustees.

Her appointment comes at a critical time during the pandemic, with the charity’s Childline service having delivered more than 61,000 counselling sessions on mental health since the beginning of lockdown last March.

Rachel, of Friockheim, who aspires to be a children’s rights lawyer, was due to speak with her fellow board members online for the first time yesterday. She said: “I can’t wait to work with people that are passionate about the same things as I am.

“I have a background in anti-bullying work and I’d really like to do more of that, but I am happy to get involved in whatever projects are going to change things for children and young people across the UK.

“I’d love to take the things I’ve learned from this advisory group to a bigger platform and make a difference for young people outside my local area and think that this board is a perfect opportunity to be able to do that.”

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