Published: 16 October 2023
The University of Sunderland in London donates £635 to child-protection charity NSPCC, as part of pledge for the recent Staff Engagement Survey.
Earlier this year, we pledged to make a donation for each completed questionnaire in the Staff Engagement Survey. As part of the survey, colleagues were also given the opportunity to select the charity, with the NSPCC being chosen.
Earlier this week, Ilona Lewicka, Human Resources Manager, and Alistair Brockbanks, Communications and Engagement Manager, visited the NSPCC’s London offices to learn more about the organisation’s vital work and to present the £635 donation to the NSPCC’s London Supporter Fundraising Manager, Sarah Lambley.
During the visit, Sarah showcased the broad work of the NSPCC in protecting children and young people, across the UK. This includes the ‘Speak out Stay safe’ schools outreach programme that supports physical and mental health, the NPSCC’s pivotal role in the recent Online Safety Bill legislation, and the Library and Information Centre that provides resources for child-protection professionals and academic research.
Sarah explained that the university’s donation, on behalf of colleagues, would be used to fund the charity’s ChildLine service. The 24/7 service provides support to children across the UK, many in very difficult circumstances.
ChildLine provides support over the phone and online - receiving a contact from a child or young person every 30 seconds. John Sen, ChildLine Supervisor, explained how the service is staffed mostly with volunteer counsellors and handled 350,000 contacts in 2022 alone.
Following the visit, Ilona said “Thank you again to colleagues who completed the engagement survey, and to Sarah and her colleagues for the enlightening visit to the NSPCC’s offices. The university’s donation to the NSPCC will make a positive contribution to the charity’s work protecting children and young people across the UK.”
NSPCC volunteering opportunities for UoSiL colleagues were also discussed during the visit, with further details to follow.
The results of the 2023 Staff Engagement Survey will be communicated to colleagues over the next month.
