National Volunteer's Week is shining a bright light on the dedicated heroes who are holding our communities together through their own free-will. 

NSPCC Scotland has thanked their committed Childline support workers, who have nurtured the needs of our younger generations throughout the pandemic. 

Between the months of January and April, 75 per cent of calls to the children's helpline were based around coronavirus outbreak.

Katie Tanner, who has volunteered for Childline since October last year, has said that the pandemic has been challenging for children in Glasgow.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Primary School kids contact mental health helplines every day with suicidal thoughts

The 21-year-old said: "There has been a lot more calls recently. It’s really clear that a lot of kids are affected by the pandemic, whether it’s the virus itself or the media frenzy around it.

"They’re missing out on seeing their friends, going to school and just having their day-to-day routine. It has been a really challenging time for a lot of children."

Due to the outbreak, the helpline currently has 30 per cent less volunteers - meaning that their 24 hour service has been stripped back.

Katie added: "It has been pretty constant. We will finish one call then start another call almost immediately. I know the numbers are a lot higher at the moment.

"The loss of the midnight service has been tough as that is when a lot of high-risk calls come in. It has been really tough.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Children worried about coronavirus as Childline calls rise

"There has been a lot more of the suicidal calls and self-harm calls because they’re not getting a break from their own thoughts at the moment."

The London music student who has returned to her South Lanarkshire home throughout the outbreak is offering advice to parents and guardians to support their children.

She said: "It's easy for children to be accidentally overlooked at the moment with everything going on.

"I would just advise parents to encourage their kids to talk about how their feeling and speak about things they might be worried about.

“Just ask them what they know about it and ask them what they think is going on. It’s important they know the facts, the guidelines and the truth.

“It’s also important not to dismiss any worries or fears that they might have. Although it might not be like an adult’s fear, for a child it can still be quite a big thing.

“I’d like to see more encouragement for kids to use childline too. Sometimes they can’t share things with people they know so it’s crucial they know this service is open to them whenever they need it."