Children First

At Children First we’re passionate about helping all children enjoy sport, build confidence and stay safe.

This week we’re joining in the celebrations of a decade of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week.

We're shining a spotlight on some of the incredible Scottish women who have blazed a trail in sport and used their platforms to make it safer, fairer and more inclusive for girls and women.

Judy Murray is helping girls develop confidence and leadership through her Learn to Lead programme. Judy says: "It's about creating opportunity... and showing girls how they can be the boss by giving them a little bit of responsibility.”

Scot Mhairi Maclennan and Kate Seary who is Welsh, are athletes and co-founders of Kyniska Advocacy. Together they are leading the way in creating safer sporting environments and supporting survivors of abuse in sport, drawing on their own lived experiences. Their work is helping drive positive change across the sporting world..

Robyn Love is a Paralympian, disability sport advocate and role model who is passionate about opening doors for others. She shared with Scottish Disability Sport: "I'm always after more. I want more people playing and watching wheelchair basketball. I'm also extremely passionate to get more women into the sport."

Long-distance runner Eilish McColgan continues to break down barriers to participation in sport and champions opportunities for the next generation through Giving Back to Track, the not-for-profit charity she founded with Michael Rimmer which offers a range of grants and scholarships to support female athletes and coaches.

Scottish Sports Leader, Sara Naveed is a powerful advocate for inclusion, representation and ensuring every girl feels they belong in sport. Sara told Sportscotland: "I want to be that Muslim representation in the room so that those Muslim girls are also heard and seen. I am super passionate about girls' participation in sport and an advocate that there is a sport for everyone."

Thank you to every one of these inspiring women for all they do to make sport safe and accessible for everyone and to drive forward positive change.

If you or your organisation needs advice and support on child protection or if you have concerns about a child or an adult's behaviour in sport, we're here to listen and help.

Call our Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport team on 0141 419 1156.

The Glasgow Spirit of Christmas portal is now open for you to pledge a gift for a child referred by Children First.

Help make this Christmas magical for a child living in hardship or poverty by becoming their Secret Santa. No matter how big or small, all gifts are greatly appreciated and will make a huge difference to the lives of these children.

For more information and to make your pledge visit: www.glasgowsspiritofchristmas.org.uk

With weather warnings in place across parts of Scotland, we know some families may be facing additional challenges.

Our team can offer emotional and practical support, including help to keep warm, manage unexpected costs and access essentials.

Call us free on 08000 28 22 33. You can also chat with our friendly team online at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline.

You don’t need to be in crisis to get in touch. We’re here to listen and help you work out what support is available.