Charity hopes to beat exam stress

A guide to beating exam stress is available at www.childline.org.uk

ChildLine has launched a new poster campaign in schools in Wales in the run-up to the exam period.

The posters, which coincide with the launch of the charity's new website, are being sent to 1,726 primary and secondary schools across Wales.

The website has tips on coping with exam stress.

But ChildLine counsellor Jenny Wilkinson said children were being encouraged to call if they have any problems, "big or small".

Miss Wilkinson, from Ruthin, Denbighshire, who was bullied as a child, went on to become one of the charity's youngest volunteer counsellors at the age of 16.

Now 20, she still offers help and advice to young callers.

She said: "My role is to listen to and support children and young people of all ages who are having difficulty dealing with any problem, big or small - from worrying about relationships and exams to pregnancy and STDs.

"We understand how difficult it is to talk about private matters, so we let them open up at their own pace.

"If I could say anything to a child or young person who is upset or frightened, I would say that however big or small your problems are, if it matters to you, it matters to ChildLine."