Pudsey steps in to help kids who have been affected by abuse

Open Secret chief executive Janine Rennie has welcomed the much-needed grant from Children In Need. Picture: Michael Gillen

Open Secret received a boost of £96,220 for its New Directions programme which means funding for four projects that will benefit young lives in the Falkirk area.

The programme will provide support for children and young people, aged between five and 18, who have been affected by abuse and trauma – including sexual abuse.

The money will cover the salaries of two development workers who will facilitate age-appropriate therapy sessions in a safe and confidential environment.

The support will include one-to-one and group counselling, play and art therapies and will offer young people a variety of options – both verbal and non-verbal – to understand the effect that abuse has had on their lives.

On the first visit, the project will assess each child and work with them to set goals that help them rebuild their confidence and improve their ability to trust, all at a pace that is comfortable to the individual.

Janine Rennie, Open Secret chief executive, said: “Thanks to previous support from BBC Children in Need, we have been able to give highly vulnerable young people in the local area the opportunity to understand, come to terms with and heal from traumatic experiences.

“As such we’re delighted to receive this new grant which will allow us to keep the project running for years to come, helping to improve young lives at a time when they may need it most.”

Mary Duffy, national head of Scotland for BBC Children in Need, said competition for funding was tough.

She said: “We are delighted to fund Open Secret for their work to support disadvantaged children and young people in Falkirk.

“We have funded them previously and their good results helped us grant another three years even when competition for our funds was tough. They join nearly 260 great projects that we fund across the country.

“Of course, none of our grants would be possible without the continued support of our fundraisers and everyone who donates to the charity each year.

“Thanks to your generosity, children and young people in Scotland will have a brighter future.”