Secret refuge is haven for children

Last year Children in Need raised �1.7m in Scotland.

BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland reporter Phil Goodlad has been to visit one project benefiting from the appeal.

The refuge is designed to be as similar to a regular household as possible

"It's about valuing children"

Laura Irvine spells out the motto at Scotland's only refuge centre for runaway children.

Glasgow ROC - Running: Other Choices is a three-bedroom facility at a secret location in the city.

Run by child care charity Aberlour, it has helped more than 80 runaways since it opened back in 2000.

"It's a safe space for young people," says service manager Laura. "We know that when children run away they can get into terrible harm so to have a facility like this is invaluable."

The first thing you notice when entering the refuge is the clean and bright surroundings.

'Normal household'

"We want to show the children that they are valued and respected," Laura tells me.

"Keeping the house like any normal household is for them to feel safe in. A kitchen and couple of living areas also adds to that homely feel."

Residents stay for a short time of around a week at the refuge. As well as a roof over their head and hot meals, confidential help and advice is offered throughout their stay.

Laura Irvine said the centre aims to help runaway children feel respected

Some 9,000 Scottish children run away from home each year.

Cathy, which isn't her real name, was one of them. "I first ran away when I was 13 and ended up in the middle of the city. Not having anywhere to go was scary but being abused at home I just had to get away," she recalled.

The Aberlour refuge wasn't open at the time Cathy ran, but she feels it would have really helped if it had been.

She explained: "I wouldn't have had to sleep rough and worry about sleeping or eating. It would have also given me a place to feel safe."

Cathy's story is testament to the work carried out at Scotland's only refuge centre for runaway kids.

Receiving �20,000 of Children in Need money has helped bring its work to a wider audience.

"We now go into schools and offer help and advice to those who may be thinking of running away," said Laura. "Young people run away for many reasons: parental alcohol and drug abuse, mental health issues, physical and mental abuse and family conflict. Offering them help is vital."

The helpline number for the Glagsow ROC refuge is 0800 783 6686.