Foyle NSPCC shortlisted for top award

Local NSPCC service Face to Face was recently shortlisted for a prestigious Children and Young People Now Awards 2013 to recognise its impact in helping to improve children’s wellbeing.

Face to Face offers up to eight solution-focussed therapy sessions for children in care, or at risk of going in to care, in Foyle. It is also available in 17 other locations across the UK.

The NSPCC developed the service to help young people access emotional support. It enables children to work on problems at their own pace and is led by the young person’s needs.

The NSPCC has been delivering Face to Face at its service centre in Foyle since September 2011 and has helped more than 60 local children so far.

NSPCC service manager Sharon Breslin said: “The Children and Young People Awards are a gold standard for everyone working with children.

“We’re thrilled that Face to Face was shortlisted for this award and that our work with children here has been recognised, alongside our colleagues delivering this service across the UK.

“Children in care often face all sorts of challenges and this service is really flexible, so young people can use it to work on whatever problem they are facing.”

Former service user 16-year-old Lucy (name changed to protect identity) said: “As far as I’m concerned NSPCC’s Face to Face is an amazing service. I first used it to help build my confidence and, through the work I did with the team, I felt able to go back a second time and address some of the problems I’d never been able to talk about before.

“Now, for the first time, I’m talking openly with my foster mum about my problems, and taking steps to stop my self-harming.”

For more information about this service, you can contact the NSPCC on 028 7131 2187 or e-mail [email protected] or 0808 800 500.