- Childline is expecting contacts from young people who are struggling with issues including abuse, family relationships and mental health over the festive season.
- The free and confidential helpline is providing more counselling sessions year-on-year on Christmas Day.
- Hundreds of children from Wales expected to contact Childline over the Christmas and New Year period.
- NSPCC is asking for support for its Christmas appeal.
VOLUNTEERS and staff at Childline will be answering phone calls and responding to online chats around the clock this Christmas to ensure that the children and young people have someone to talk to about their concerns.
The NSPCC-supported service’s free and confidential helpline, which is open 365 days a year, is needed as much as ever over Christmas.
Last year Childline delivered 1,819 counselling sessions to children from across the UK on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day combined, a 10 per cent increase on the same days in the previous year.
On Christmas Day 2017 volunteers carried out 511 counselling sessions with children – up from 495 in 2016 and 409 in 2015 and the free and confidential helpline is preparing for hundreds of young people to get in touch over the coming days.
Worries about mental or emotional health, family relationships and suicidal thoughts were the most frequent concerns reported by children and young people.
In Wales, the Prestatyn Childline centre is open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, while the Cardiff centre will be operational on Christmas Day.
Dedicated volunteer counsellors, like Kim Jackson, will be working and answering calls from children who get in touch from anywhere across the UK.
Kim, whose shift takes place on Boxing Day, said: “I have been with Childline for five years and I volunteer every Christmas which I find hugely rewarding.
“It is, sadly, a very busy time, as there are so many children and young people who do not have the supportive, loving homes at such a festive time.
“It is wonderful to be able to give of my time to listen to someone that comes through, and let them know that we are always here for them no matter what they want to talk about.
“At Childline, we care about them over the festive period and throughout the year, 24/7.”
During a 12-day period last Christmas between 24 December 2017 and 4 January 2018 Childline delivered 301 counselling sessions to young people contacting them from Wales. Where the gender of the child was recorded 249 counselling sessions were carried out with girls with 34 carried out with boys.
Dame Esther Rantzen, the founder of Childline, said:
“Christmas for many people is a happy time of year. But at Childline we know only too well that isn’t always the case for thousands of children and young people across the UK. For many it can be an extremely difficult time of year which can leave them in a very dark place.
“Thankfully Childline doesn’t close at Christmas and that is all thanks to our fantastic staff and volunteers who will be working around the clock, including Christmas Day, to ensure someone is there day or night to help any child or young person in need of advice or support, be it online or over the phone.”
One boy aged 10 told Childline:
“Mum forgot Christmas because of her drinking – she drinks a lot. It’s just me and mum since dad left to live with his new partner. I don’t see him anymore as he has a new family.
“When I told her I had wished she had remembered Christmas she just said Santa isn’t real anyway. All my friends are having big meals with music and family and presents but not me. Mum is just sleeping all day and I feel really sad. I went in to her room to see if she wanted to watch some TV and she yelled at me to get out. It hurt my heart.”
The figures from Childline emphasise the vital support that the helpline provides to many children during the Christmas period. But at the moment the service can only respond to three out of four children who need our help. Childline needs the support of the public so it can continue to be there for even more young people.
Children and young people can contact Childline anytime on 0800 1111 or find support online at childline.org.uk.
If you are interested in volunteering with Childline please go to: nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteering-nspcc-childline/volunteer-childline-helpline/.
The NSPCC is running a campaign this Christmas focusing on preventing neglect, which is the most common form of child abuse. Details of the campaign and on how to donate can be read here.
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