Together for Childhood team prepare for Plymouth 10k to help raise funds to keep city’s children safe from abuse

NSPCC workers in Plymouth are acutely aware of the impact sexual abuse can have on childhoods, through the therapeutic work they offer at the children’s charity’s service centre in the city.

Its Letting the Future In service supports children and young people to rebuild their lives, having experienced sexual abuse.

Now the NSPCC has joined forces with communities and organisations across the city in a partnership programme aimed at preventing abuse from happening in the first place.

Together for Childhood Plymouth is formed of NSPCC, Plymouth City Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Livewell South West, Barnardos, community groups, children and families, the voluntary sector, and schools.

The team preparing to take on the Plymouth 10k know that 1 in 20 children suffer sexual abuse and all of them are passionate about prevention and making sure abuse doesn’t happen in the first place.

It’s why they are pounding the streets of Plymouth, during training sessions for the 10k challenge, which they will attempt on October 6.

Children’s Service Practitioner Sam Wolf says: “I have decided to run in the Plymouth 10k, my first ever 10k, to raise money and spread the word about Together for Childhood.

“The 10k is something that I will find a challenge, but for a worthwhile cause – sexual abuse prevention!

“I couldn’t do it without the support of the team who all feel the same drive to get the message into the Plymouth community.”

The money the team raises will be used to work with children and their families to explore the best ways to protect them. What works well in the pilot site area of Ernesettle will be rolled out in other areas of the city.

The NSPCC’s Strategic Service Centre Manager in Plymouth, Ollie Mackie says: “We will listen to communities, share what we know, what we find out, and work alongside children, young people, families and professionals to build confidence in communities, taking positive action to keep children safe.

“I have decided to take on the Plymouth 10k challenge because it is the chance to do something as a team and to spread the word about Together for Childhood; showing our commitment to prevent child sexual abuse goes well beyond our day to day jobs, it is something we all feel incredibly passionate about and the funds raised we hope will inspire others to step up.”

The Plymouth PANTS campaign announced earlier this week, and fronted by mascot Pantosaurus, forms one element of the Together for Childhood partnership that has seen organisations across the city unite, working together to prevent child sexual abuse.

The programme is already providing help and support for families at a community level, to protect children from harm.

For more information about Together for Childhood or to support the team visit their fundraising page, the NSPCC website, @TFCPlymouth on Twitter, or Facebook group - Together for Childhood Plymouth (Ernesettle).

Anyone with any concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for advice. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk for free 24/7, 365 days a year.