Belfast mum opens up on volunteering to help children in need

A Belfast woman has spoken about her role as a volunteer for a charity dedicated to helping children experiencing bullying, suffering with their mental health or having troubles at home.

Childline volunteer, Janet Hamilton, completed a triathlon which raised over £1500 for Childline as she celebrated her 30-year career in the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

When, in 1989, Janet Hamilton began volunteering in the Action Cancer shop on Belfast’s Cregagh Road she had no idea that this was just the beginning of a long career in the voluntary sector.

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This volunteering led to a permanent role with the charity as a medical receptionist and then on to a steady progression through the organisation – culminating in becoming Deputy Director.

In 1999, after a happy career with Action Cancer, she joined Raleigh International and headed up the Millennium Award Scheme where she worked with young people and took them all over the world - Namibia and Costa Rica being particularly memorable expeditions.

As if this wasn’t enough, Janet also became involved in the Greyabbey and District Community Association, having moved to the area where she still retains a holiday home. In 2021, she became a Childline volunteer counsellor. The 57-year-old now lives in East Belfast with her husband, son and daughter. Apart from her ongoing commitment to the voluntary sector, Janet is also an accomplished sportsperson.

She said: "When I was at Queen’s University, studying for a degree in Geography, I always made time to take part in sporting activities and undertake new challenges when they presented themselves – for example, having joined the Queen’s University Trampoline Club, I became hooked and went on to train as a coach.

"Apart from that, I have enjoyed swimming, water polo, calisthenics and running – when my children were younger, I took part in “Mums on the Run” and completed several 10k races. It was a great way to keep active and meet other people.

"While I love taking part in sport for its own sake, it is always good to have a goal – for example, I really enjoyed completing Cancer Research’s 100 day skipping challenge in 2023. Then, at the age of 57, I set myself my biggest challenge to date which was a triathlon in aid of Childline."

Janet decided to become a Childline counsellor in 2021, having been aware of the service for many years. She had significant experience of working with children and young people in Raleigh International, thought this would be helpful in the role and felt ready for a new challenge - although this time it was at Childline’s Belfast base and not on the pool or the running track.

Janet said: "I had hugely enjoyed my career in the voluntary sector and was so grateful to have done something I loved for such a long time. I wanted to continue doing something useful, worthwhile and helpful to young people and that’s why I was so pleased to start volunteering with Childline, I’d been a volunteer at the beginning of my career, and it felt like I had come full circle.

"Although I had worked extensively with young people in Raleigh International, it really wasn't necessary for the role in Childline. When I started with the charity, I met so many other volunteers who didn’t have formal experience with children and they were all absolutely great. I would suggest to anyone who’s thinking of volunteering with Childline to get in touch, find out more and not to be too concerned about any lack of experience with children and young people.

"The training is excellent, very thorough, and even where you’re up and running, there’s always a staff member to support you if you need it - I appreciated this very much and it’s good to know you’re never on your own."

Childline has two bases in Northern Ireland - Belfast and Foyle. Both have teams of dedicated volunteers but more people are urgently needed to cope with the number of young people contacting the service.

Janet continued: "There’s no denying you can hear some sad and shocking things in this role and, certainly, it’s been brought home to me that life can be really difficult for some children. However, that’s what makes the volunteering so worthwhile – you know you are needed and you know you’re helping someone when they are in a stressful situation.

"I have heard from so many children of all ages and with so many different issues. Sometimes they just want to talk and get things off their chest and it’s so good that Childline gives them the time and space to do this. I believe the services offered by Childline are unique and absolutely vital and when I finish a shift, I always feel glad I’ve been able to do something useful and helpful.

"We are contacted about so many things – from online exploitation to family problems and body image to loneliness. Whatever the issue, we are led by the young person and, very often, all they want to do is to talk in confidence to someone who isn’t judging them.

"It’s such a brilliant service and believe it or not, it’s enjoyable because the Childline staff and volunteers are lovely, fun and supportive. I know that more volunteers are needed, as are the funds required to train them and that's what made me think of doing some sort of fundraising - then I thought I’d love to have a crack at a triathlon!

"I must admit that undertaking my first triathlon at the age of 57 was incredibly tough but I kept thinking about the funds I was raising for Childline and how it would help so many children - that got me through it."

Talking about the event, Janet said: "The training lasted six weeks and it was intense. I bought a bike and a wetsuit and just got stuck in, although as I hadn’t been cycling or swimming for quite a few years there were some painful moments! The triathlon was held in Donaghadee and such beautiful surroundings really helped to inspire me – especially when practising for the swimming - and fortunately on the day itself, the weather was pretty good.

"The whole thing went past in a bit of a blur, to be honest, but the atmosphere was fabulous, with amazing volunteers who were very supportive and encouraging. The hardest part was moving from each aspect of the triathlon to the next because your body has to adjust to a completely different pace – especially between the cycling and the run. However, I finished in 1 hour and 36 minutes (and came third in my age group!) so I was delighted."

Susan Smith, Community Fundraising Manager at NSPCC Northern Ireland, said: “We are so grateful to Janet, not only for volunteering with Childline but also for undertaking such an incredible challenge to raise vital funds for the Service. She was so brilliant on the day and we are so proud of her for achieving her goal.

"Childline is available 24 hours a day, every day, for young people who need support and feel they have nowhere else to turn. The wonderful amount of £1500, raised by Janet and everyone who donated to her triathlon, means Childline can answer 375 calls from children and young people who need our help."

Janet said before she started volunteering with Childline, she thought it would be worthwhile and interesting - and she now knows that it is.

"However, I can’t overstate just how much the volunteers are needed and appreciated by the children and young people who get in touch," she said.

"At the end of a chat, I am always struck when they thank me. It's truly humbling and moving - all I am doing is listening and trying to help them talk about what’s worrying them.

"I would urge anyone who is interested in finding out more, to get in touch with Childline for a chat and more information – the team is really friendly and are always delighted to welcome new volunteers. All training is provided and there’s no particular experience that’s needed. In fact, I think the only thing you really need to volunteer with the service is to be a ‘people person’, someone who wants to help children and enjoys learning new things - that’s really all that matters."

For further information on volunteering with Childline, please contact Gillian Mills, Childline Volunteer Engagement Lead, at gillian.mills@nspcc.org.uk

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