A RETAIL worker who left her job to pursue a career in counselling is urging others to volunteer for Childline following a surge in calls during the pandemic.
Iris Brennan (54), originally from Israel, lives in Lisburn and said lockdown made her re-evaluate her life, having always wanted to help vulnerable children.
She is a volunteer at the Belfast base for Childline, which has seen a spike in the number of contacts from young people struggling with anxiety and social isolation.
Ms Brennan said her new work is "the most rewarding" she has ever done.
"At the minute, many children are feeling anxious and isolated from friends due to the closure of schools and the future feeling uncertain. The pandemic is causing a lot of anxiety and having someone to talk to on the other end of the phone can make a huge difference," she said.
"The highlight of any shift is knowing how much I’ve helped a young person when they say thank you. It really warms my heart and I go home feeling happy knowing I’ve helped someone feel better.
"I would encourage others out there who have a few hours spare a week to think about volunteering for Childline. Now, more so than ever, children and young people need our help and you can help make a difference in their lives."
For information on how to volunteer for Childline, please contact heather.cardosi@nspcc.org.uk
