Listen Up, Speak Up: Protecting Our Children Together

“It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep children safe,” says Luke Newman, founder of For Men To Talk. “By listening and speaking up, we can protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The safety and well-being of children must always come first. But protecting children isn’t just the responsibility of parents, teachers, or social workers—it’s something we all need to take seriously. This is the message behind the NSPCC’s Listen up, Speak up campaign, encouraging adults across the UK to play their part in keeping children safe.

Why It Matters

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment. Sadly, not all children have that security. Sometimes, signs of abuse or neglect may go unnoticed or unaddressed. But when adults are equipped with the right knowledge and tools, they can spot warning signs early and take action.

This is where the NSPCC steps in. They are the UK’s leading children’s charity, committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect. The charity’s Listen up, Speak up training empowers adults to recognise when something might be wrong and take steps to help.

What the Training Covers

The Listen up, Speak up digital training is designed to be quick and effective. In just 10 minutes, participants will learn:

• How to spot the signs: Understand the behaviours that may indicate a child is at risk.
• How to have tough conversations: Gain confidence in talking to children, parents, or others when concerns arise.
• Where to turn for help: Learn who to contact, such as the NSPCC Helpline, if you’re ever worried about a child’s safety.

This simple yet powerful training ensures more adults are prepared to act when they notice something isn’t right.

Everyday Actions Can Make a Difference

Protecting children doesn’t always mean taking drastic steps. It might be as simple as offering a helping hand to a stressed parent, being a supportive listener for a teenager, or reaching out to professionals if you think a child is in danger. By taking small but meaningful actions, we can create safer communities for children.

How You Can Get Involved

Start by signing up for the NSPCC’s Listen up, Speak up digital training. It only takes 10 minutes, but the impact can last a lifetime. Visit nspcc.org.uk/speakup to learn more.

By working together, we can prevent abuse before it happens and ensure every child has the chance to thrive. As Luke Newman says, “Speaking up might feel uncomfortable, but it’s always worth it when it comes to protecting a child. Let’s all do our part.”

Let’s make a promise to listen up, speak up, and put children first—because their safety depends on all of us.