A retired editor has qualified as a children’s counsellor after taking voluntary redundancy from a weekly newspaper.

Arthur Duffy spent 42 years with the Derry Journal before taking VR and an early retirement deal last year.

Now he has qualified as a volunteer counsellor for Childline after noticing a recruitment advertisement placed by the children’s charity in the Journal.

While he was training, the service experienced a significant increase in calls from children “constantly struggling with boredom and related issues” due to the coronavirus crisis.

Arthur, pictured, told the Journal: “Listening to the conversations between counsellors donning head-phones, who were engaging with children, some of whom were finding themselves in potentially dangerous situations or experiencing an emotional crisis, proved to be quite an eye-opening introduction to Childline.

“But from that point onwards, every day proved to be a school day for me and the vital support, advice and friendship of the supervisors, staff members and, indeed, fellow volunteers helped me realise the importance of the work I had found myself in.

“The atmosphere created by everyone involved made all new volunteers particularly welcome.

“Once I got used to arriving for a shift, I felt comfortable and I really enjoyed the friendship which existed among staff members who were quick to welcome new faces, offering support and advice at all times.”

Arthur went on to praise the charity’s supervisory team.

He added: “When dangerous situations arise during conversations with young people – and they do arise – supervisors take immediate control by guiding the counsellor’s conversation with the child.

“They take overall responsibility for the situation; volunteers alert supervisors to make them fully aware of any potential situation that could threaten the well-being of the young person on the call.

“I felt that vital back-up would prove to be a significant supportive cushion for the counsellor dealing with the call.”