Children across the country are being encouraged to ‘shout out’ about their hopes and dreams, fears and concerns for 4Children’s Shout Out 4Children Week.

Shout Out 4Children Week provides a platform from which children can make their voices heard by influential decision-makers about issues that are important to them. The week sees children setting the record straight and proving that they have clear views, want change and are keen to get involved. Shout Out 4Children Week comprises a series of national and local events designed to empower and celebrate children, and boasts a glamorous awards event for the dedicated professionals who work day in, day out to improve children’s lives.

Shout Out 4Children Week 2008 will take place from 23 to 27 June and features:

My Shout Out! National Children’s Survey
The launch of the results of 4Children’s annual My Shout Out! survey. Over 1,000 children and young people aged 4–14 across England are taking part, providing an annual exploration into the next generation’s feelings and attitudes towards a wide range of social issues. The focus ranges from how children spend their free time to their thoughts on child poverty and making a positive contribution to society.

Parliamentary Children’s Question Time
The annual event that puts politician in the hot seat! Leading MPs and politicians will come face to face with an audience of children to answer and respond to burning questions children choose to ask at Children’s Question Time which will take place on 24 June in Westminster at a House of Commons venue.

4Children’s Annual Summer Reception
4Children’s Annual Summer Reception will bring leading politicians, public and third sector organisations, children’s workers and young people together to celebrate gains for children in the last year and look ahead to the priorities and challenges to come. Children attending the event will share experiences from their own childhoods, providing a spotlight on growing up in the UK today. The event will take place on 25 June in Westminster.

Children’s Stars Awards
Britain’s most exceptional children’s professionals will be announced and honoured in the Oscars of the children’s sector, the Children’s Stars Awards. The glamorous London Awards event will be hosted by TV and Radio Star Neil ‘Dr’ Fox on 26 June 2008.

Anne Longfield OBE, 4Children’s Chief Executive, said:
“Children and young people are the most creative, articulate and energetic members of society yet vast numbers of our children feel under-valued, victimised and that they have little influence in the world around them.

“Reports such as the new UK Children’s Commissioner's Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child serve as grave reminders that children in the UK face greater challenges than those in almost any other European country. Shout Out 4Children Week aims to put the record straight, delivering children’s views directly to the country’s top decision makers. Children want to see their concerns reflected in the world around them – Shout Out 4Children Week will tell us all just what we need to do to make that happen.”

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Notes to the Editor
For further information on Shout Out 4Children Week or any of the week’s events and activities, please contact Julie Watkins on 020 7522 6928 / julie.watkins@4Children.org.uk
Website: www.4Children.org.uk/shoutout

Shout Out 4Children Week is part of Celebrating childcare, supporting families, June 2008. Organised by the five national childcare charities and supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the aim of Celebrating childcare, supporting families is to showcase the benefits of childcare for children and families and to celebrate the invaluable work carried out by childcare workers in looking after the UK’s children and young people. See www.4Children.org.uk/june2008

4Children
4Children is the national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for all children. It aspires to ensure that all children, young people and families have access to a creative, safe and child focused environment, and activities. 4Children provides an information line for parents and childcare professionals with advice and support on all aspects of childcare, including details of out of school clubs in your area.

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