Counsellors at the NSPCC’s Childline service will once again be available around the clock to help children this Christmas.

Last year, the service delivered almost 5,500 counselling sessions to young people across the UK between December 24 and January 6, an average of more than 450 each day.

As throughout the rest of the year, problems with mental health and wellbeing were the main reasons why children and young people contacted Childline during this period, but there were also recurring issues and worries which were more specific to the festive season.

Some young people were facing their first Christmas after losing a loved one, some were worried about family conflict and adults consuming alcohol. Some felt pressured to eat more than normal, while others were concerned about financial matters or felt guilt or jealousy about the gifts they received.

One boy, aged 15, told Childline: “Christmas can be a tough time for me as there’s a lot of pressure to be ‘okay’, even though inside I know I’m not. And New Year’s is just as difficult.

“Many people see New Year’s Eve as a new beginning, but to me it’s the start of surviving another 365 days and knowing that most of those days will probably be spent with me feeling down about something.”

An 18-year-old girl told a counsellor: “I can’t deal with my dad when he’s drinking. He promised me 2023 would be the year he’d quit but it was all lies. He drank a whole pack of beers on Christmas day and was blind drunk. I feel so alone - it’s like I don’t exist to him anymore.” 

(Image: NSPCC)

Childline bases across the UK, including in London, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cardiff, will be in operation throughout the Christmas period, filled with both full-time staff and volunteers. 

Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “Whatever the issue or concern is, we are reminding all children and young people that our trained counsellors will be here to listen and support them on every day of the 12 Days of Christmas and onwards into 2025.” 

The Childline service is available to children around the clock, even on Christmas Day, on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk

How to donate

Readers can help bring hope to children this festive season by donating cash or buying toys to support our NSPCC Christmas appeal.

Over the festive season, the NSPCC’s Childline counsellors will hear from a child every 45 seconds who needs answers to serious questions – not about the joy of Christmas, but about how to cope with abuse or loneliness.

The campaign is asking readers to donate £20 to Childline to help ensure children can get the support they need. Donations can be made to Childline at nspcc.org.uk or by calling 020 7825 2505. Please select ‘referred from a local newspaper’.

The NSPCC also works with children and families to help them recover from abuse. Creating a safe, comfortable environment for children, helps them speak openly and work with the practitioners, and having toys and games on hand helps them to relax.

To buy a toy from the Amazon wish list, go to bit.ly/3BoIwZO.

Still time to Walk for Children

This weekend will see fundraisers across the UK walk on the longest night of the year, in support of the NSPCC.

Walk for Children is one of the charity’s annual fundraising events, and has raised £460,000 for NSPCC services like Childline since it was launched in December 2020.

There’s still time to sign up to complete your own 5km walk wherever you are, with participants encouraged to take part on or around December 21 – the longest night of the year. Because for children suffering abuse, every night can feel like the longest.

Sophie Moreton, NSPCC Senior Fundraiser, said: “Walk for Children is a great way for families and friends to get together in the run-up to Christmas and make a real difference to children across the country.

“Every pound raised supports NSPCC services like Childline, and its counsellors are there for young people to offer help and support throughout the darkest nights. We’re grateful to everyone who takes part in Walk for Children and makes that difference.”

To sign up to do your own Walk for Children or find out more, click here. Readers who use the code WALK will get 50 per cent off your entry, making it just £5.

Childline role ‘a privilege’ says Deputy President

Rebecca Wilcox, Childline counsellor and Deputy President, recalls a poignant video message played to volunteers highlighting the importance of the availability of the service every day, even at Christmas.

Rebecca, who is the daughter of Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen, said: “When I finished training, a video popped up. It was mum, wearing a jumper I bought for myself but she told me it would suit her a bit better.

(Image: NSPCC)

“She gave an eloquent, erudite piece to camera that just overwhelmed the senses when she said; ‘what you’re about to do will become the best day of your life’.

“I hope that might inspire somebody.

“In the training, we’re always told never to say ‘I understand’ because you’re not standing in that person’s shoes and can’t understand what they’re going through.

“But by listening and hearing them, we’re able to explore their world alongside them and see it through their eyes, which is a privilege and an opportunity to try and help in any way we can.”