“It’s never been as important for me to go to work”, says Downpatrick woman who is the face of new Calpol TV campaign in support of the NSPCC.
A Downpatrick woman, who is a key worker for the NSPCC and the face of a new advertising campaign, is urging everyone to remain vigilant and report any child welfare concerns to the charity’s helpline.
Claire Bardon (31) is Practice Manager at the NSPCC’s helpline base in Belfast and has been given a unique platform to speak to the public directly as she has been chosen to front a new national television commercial, produced by Johnson & Johnson Ltd, the makers of CALPOL® in support of the service.
The organisation is donating £80,000 which will allow the charity to answer 16,000 calls from adults who may have worries about a child.
And the commercial, which aired across the UK from Monday 18 May, promotes the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline.
The service provides adults with a place they can get advice and support, share their concerns about a child or get general information about child protection.
It has bases in Belfast and Manchester and operates 365 days per year to protect children in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK. Last year the NSPCC helpline, which has around 100 staff, received 73,000 contacts from people across the UK with concerns about a child’s welfare.
Claire, who is a qualified social worker, started work with NSPCC as a student when she volunteered with their Childline service and then joined the helpline in 2019.
Claire said: “It’s never been more important for me to go to work and the NSPCC helpline has never been more vital. Now, more than ever, children are reliant on their community to raise concerns when schools, family and their usual network of support aren’t always able to help because of the lockdown.
“Work has been incredibly busy over the last few months and I have had a lot more calls about domestic abuse as well as from neighbours who are worried about children being abused.
“Sometimes people call about something that just that doesn’t seem right, and their concerns can build and build. My advice is not to disregard these feelings- talk about them and talk to us.
“I’m proud to be a member of the helpline and know that we are able to help all members of society safeguard their families and their communities at this very difficult time.
Talking of her role in the commercial sector, Claire said: “It’s true that every day is different at the helpline, but I never thought I would end up on TV. Filming the commercial was so much fun and a really unusual experience.
‘I actually had to do my own filming at home because of the lockdown. I was lucky to have an amazing team who supported me, talked me through everything. I even had my own Whatsapp chat group set up for me to send all my test shots. However, it’s a little strange thinking that everyone will see me in my home or making a cup of tea in my kitchen!”
The commercial could not be more timely as the charity has recently published the latest data from its helpline which shows that the crisis has exacerbated existing risks for children and created new ones.
- In the month since lockdown there have been a total of 5,237 contacts to the helpline from across the UK from adults concerned about the wellbeing and safety of a child
- Of these, 817 contacts were from adults with worries about parents and carers misusing alcohol and other substances, a 22% increase on the four weeks prior to March 23
- Other issues where there has been a double-digit percentage increase in contacts from across the UK include domestic abuse (10%) and emotional abuse (50%)
- From April 13 to 19 the NSPCC helpline received 1,580 contacts from across the UK, the highest number in a single week in 2020.
Mike McGrath, Head of Partnerships at the NSPCC, said: “With the world being so unfamiliar and frightening for children, it is vital that people know how to get advice and support if they are concerned about a child.
“We are delighted with this support from Calpol which is helping us to answer 16,000 calls and to still be there for children who need us.”
And Hannah French, Head of Marketing, Northern Europe, Johnson & Johnson Limited, said: “We are proud to once again partner with the NSPCC to protect vulnerable children. Now, more than ever, the helpline provides a vital source of support across the UK and we are delighted that our donation will help to answer an additional 16,000 calls”.
The free NSPCC helpline provides adults with a place they can get advice and support, share their concerns about a child or get general information about child protection.
Its team of experts can also be called Monday to Friday 8am-10pm or 9am-6pm at the weekends on 0808 8005000. The helpline can also be reached 24 hours a day by email at:
– or through its online reporting form.
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About the NSPCC.
The NSPCC is the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. Using voluntary donations, which make up around 90 per cent of our funding, they help children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, they protect children at risk, and find the best ways of preventing child abuse from ever happening.
So when a child needs a helping hand, they’ll be there. When parents are finding it tough, they’ll help. When laws need to change, or governments need to do more, they won’t give up until things improve.
The Childline service provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help.
The free NSPCC helpline provides adults with a place they can get advice and support, share their concerns about a child or get general information about child protection.
About CALPOL®
The CALPOL® Family of products have been developed over a number of years to effectively treat the illnesses and symptoms that most commonly affect children.
Products from CALPOL® are different from adult medicines – they have all been designed specifically for children.
The CALPOL® Family includes paracetamol and ibuprofen-based medicines that are specially designed for children, to offer them relief from the discomforts of pain and fever. Medicines have also been created to help with coughs, to soothe teething pain, and to help you look after your little one when they get a cold.
CALPOL® Infant Suspension contains paracetamol, can be used in infants from 2 months old (weighing over 4kg and not premature). For pain and fever. CALPROFEN® Ibuprofen Suspension contains ibuprofen, can be used in infants from 3 months old (weighing over 5Kg). For pain and fever. CALCOUGH® Infant Syrup contains glycerol, can be used in infants from 3 months old. For cough. CALGEL® Teething Gel contains an anaesthetic and antiseptic, can be used in infants from 5 months. For short- term use of no more than 7 days, where non-medicinal methods have not provided relief.
