Learn to Live: Petition calling on Theresa May to help children traumatised by war delivered to Downing Street

A petition calling on the government to do more to help children left traumatised by war has been delivered to Downing Street.

The petition, part of our Learn to Live campaign, calls on Theresa May and world leaders to increase funding to support the mental health and emotional needs of children affected by war.

More than 12,000 people have signed the petition which highlights that the trauma of conflict can stay with children for years – even when they are able to escape the bombs.

Our campaign, alongside our partner charity War Child, has already inspired hundreds of schools in Britain to link up with schools in warzones.

We have twinned UK pupils with Syrian child refugees and displaced children living in camps after enduring life under Isis.

These children struggle to get a full education or to receive the mental health support they need following traumatic wartime experiences.

As part of the campaign we have been calling on adults to sign our petition and for schoolchildren across the country to write letters to the prime minister demanding action.

open image in gallery

On Monday a group of pupils and their teachers from four London schools taking part in our campaign hand-delivered more than 700 letters and our petition to Ms May.

Among the children who handed in the letters and petition was George Abbott, 14, from Carshalton Boys Sports College, who said: “I am worried about the children who are struggling.”

He added: “We should make a change and not just stand here and do nothing about it. We are one of the most powerful countries in the world and it is our responsibility.”

Harriet Webster, 13, from Hornsey School for Girls, wrote in her letter about how children affected by war struggle to go to school because of the trauma they face. “There should be more money spent on their wellbeing,” she said. “I really hope it will make a difference because things really need to change.”

Speaking from Parliament Square, Benjy Bediako, a pupil from Betty Layward Primary School in Stoke Newington, said he had called for funding for mental health support and more teachers in his letter.

“I think it is vital for somebody to be educated,” the 10-year-old said.

Jay, 13, from Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit in Wandsworth, called on the prime minister to ensure children in warzones were given playgrounds and mentors to improve their lives.

He said: “It makes me realise that I can’t really moan about the world we are living in right now because if you think about them they are living in a much worse situation.”

Celebrities, including The Crown actor Vanessa Kirby, and companies – such as eBay, Dropbox, and law firm Allen & Overy – are among the thousands who have signed the petition delivered to Downing Street.

Mark Mansell, partner and co-head of corporate responsibility at Allen & Overy, said: “The Learn to Live campaign has raised awareness in schools of the importance of mental health and psychosocial support provisions for children in conflict areas.

“During our partnership with War Child, their work resonated with our people across our global network, making it the most successful global charity programme we have ever run, so we’re very happy to have supported this movement to ensure children affected by war get the help they need.”