Thousands of children to benefit from vital online safety education
More than 11,000 children across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will be better protected from online harm thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons through the Freemasons’ Charity awarded to Warning Zone Children’s Safety Charity.
The funding will support the development and delivery of Warning Zone’s online safety programme, helping Year 6 pupils prepare for the risks they face as they transition to secondary school.
Children today are navigating an increasingly complex digital world. Risks such as online grooming, exposure to harmful content, exploitation, and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence and gambling-style gaming are becoming more prevalent at younger ages.
This grant will enable Warning Zone to update its dedicated online safety zone, originally funded by the Freemasons, ensuring it remains relevant and impactful in addressing modern risks. It will also fund a specialist Visit Manager role to lead delivery, support safeguarding disclosures, and train volunteers, alongside supporting the recruitment and training of volunteers who deliver the programme each week.
Each year, Warning Zone welcomes over 11,000 children through its immersive, interactive safety centre, where they learn about real-life risks in a safe, controlled environment. The online safety zone plays a critical role in equipping children with the knowledge and confidence to recognise danger, make safer choices, and seek help when needed.
We’re extremely grateful to the Freemasons for this generous support. The online world is changing rapidly, and children are facing risks that simply did not exist even a few years ago. This funding allows us to keep our programme current and relevant, ensuring children understand what they might encounter online and, crucially, how to respond. It builds on a long-standing partnership and will make a real difference to thousands of young people each year.
We’re proud to support Warning Zone and the vital work they do to keep children safe. Their programme is practical, engaging and highly relevant, helping young people develop the awareness and confidence they need to navigate modern risks. This funding builds on our previous support and continues our commitment to projects that have a lasting and meaningful impact in local communities.
