IT'S been a very busy year for NSPCC Schools Service in our area.

In this school year our volunteers have visited 162 schools and spoken to 39,455 children through our Speak Out Stay Safe programme across Merseyside.

Our Speak Out Stay Safe programme ensures children aged 5-11 learn essential safeguarding information in a lively, interactive and memorable way.

By the end of our visit we know pupils feel empowered and can speak out and stay safe.

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers we can provide assemblies and workshops to help children understand abuse in all its forms, know how to protect themselves, and to identify their trusted adults and sources of help available to them, including our Childline service.

Our fully-trained volunteers truly believe that every child has the right to a happy childhood and help empower children to have the knowledge and understanding to stay safe from abuse and neglect.

These fantastic volunteers have worked extremely hard and their commitment to helping children is impressive.

The difference they have made to children's lives is huge and I would like to thank them for their time and energy over the past year and look forward to working with them in the new school year.

Helen O'Sullivan, area co-ordinator, NSPCC Schools Service.