“Yes, it takes a village to raise a child — but it takes a community to raise a generation.”

— Amani Simpson, Award-Winning Youth Coach & Writer/Director of the short film SAVE ME

Children Are Struggling — And They Need Us Now 

Across the UK, thousands of children are facing abuse, neglect, exploitation, and deep emotional pain.

1 in 5 young people has a probable mental health disorder.

Many feel unsafe in their homes, unseen in their communities, and unsupported in their lives.

Our short film SAVE ME tells the story of Fiona and Dean — two teens trying to escape difficult lives. Their journey highlights the power of one person — an everyday minicab driver — choosing to notice, care, and act. He becomes what we call an active bystander.

This isn’t just a fictional story. Every day, children are hoping someone will see them, believe them, protect them. That someone could be you.

 

 

 

What Is an Active Bystander?

According to the University of Cambridge:

“Being an active bystander means being aware when someone’s behaviour is inappropriate or threatening — and choosing to challenge it.”

That could mean calling out harmful language, reporting concerns, or offering support. If you don’t feel confident doing it alone, get help from someone in authority. You don’t have to do everything — but you can do something.

 

 

Why Now?

Just like Adolescence on Netflix, SAVE ME is opening eyes and hearts — but awareness alone isn’t enough. Children are still being let down. Services are stretched. Too many of us still think, “It’s not my place.”

It is. Every one of us has a role to play — no matter our background or profession. Because the village doesn’t work unless we all show up.

What Can You Pledge to Do?

Join #TheVillagePledge and commit to taking real, practical steps that could transform a child’s life. Here’s how you can start:

👥 Get Involved:

• Volunteer with youth organisations, sports clubs, or charities that support young people
• Become a foster carer — a powerful way to provide safety, love, and stability
Train to become a teacher, especially if you’re male — we urgently need more men in education
• Offer career insight days at your workplace or mentor a young person
• Create or support youth-led social action projects in your local area

🛡️ Get Trained & Ready:

• Apply for an enhanced DBS check and join organisations that provide safeguarding training
• Attend training events or workshops to understand how to spot and respond to signs of harm
• Become a school or college governor — help shape education and safeguarding from within

🧠 Educate Yourself:

• Learn about the issues facing young people today — mental health, county lines, exclusion, abuse, the pressures of living in a digital world
• Follow and engage with leading voices in the space:
  • Ben Lindsay OBE (Power the Fight)
  • Prof. Carlene Firmin (Contextual Safeguarding)
  • Paul Lindley OBE (Child rights & enterprise)
  • Dame Anne Longfield CBE (Former Children’s Commissioner)
  • Jahnine Davis (Child safeguarding & racial equity)
  • Luke Billingham (Youth work & justice reform)

What Next?

1. 🖤 Watch SAVE ME — and reflect on the reality so many young people are living
2. 📣 Share the film — start conversations that challenge silence and spark change
3. 🙋🏾‍♀️ Step up — in your family, your school, your street. Be the adult a child might need
4. 👉🏽 Sign the petition — show you stand with us and with young people across the UK
5. ✅ Action your pledge — Commit to one or more meaningful actions from our list
6. 🔁 Share this campaign — with your friends, colleagues, networks, and on social media.

Every signature grows the village. Every share spreads the message.