Giving up her Christmas to help the young
VICKY HAS VOLUNTEERED FOR CHILDLINE FOR PAST 13 YEARS
A NOTTINGHAM volunteer will give up her Christmas Day to talk to children and young people who are struggling and need support.
Vicky O’brien volunteers for the children’s charity NSPCC’S Childline, through which young people under the age of 19 and children can talk to someone when they need to.
She’s been volunteering for 13 years, and explains what she’s spoken to young people about over the Christmas period before.
Vicky said: “I’ve had young people speak to me about suffering abuse at home and their need to talk to someone, as their usual support and distractions are not available.
“I’ve spoken to young people who are struggling to keep themselves safe, those who have lost someone very close and are missing them, and even those who are wondering if Santa will ever visit them or why he didn’t.
“Christmas can be a magical time, but if things are hard then it can leave children and young people feeling incredibly isolated and lonely.
“It’s more important than ever over Christmas time, and it’s a privilege to be available to listen to and support whenever they need it, especially at Christmas.”
One child the charity has helped is Hollie who suffered with anxiety from a young age, but to the outside world was happy, confident and talkative.
She suffered a panic attack in 2013 and within months, her mental health had deteriorated so much that she had dropped out of school, isolated herself from her friends and was admitted to hospital before attempting suicide.
But then she got in touch with Childline and spoke to a counsellor.
That chat stopped her from attempting to kill herself again.
Over the next couple of years Hollie stopped talking, walking, eating and taking care of herself. There were also more stays in hospital.
But she would often call Childline and chat to a counsellor when she was feeling low. She describes the service as her lifeline in her darkest hours.
After a diagnosis, she made a full recovery and achieved a university place, which she will take up in September this year.
She says she cannot imagine how hard life would have been during the pandemic and lockdown without Childline, and worries about other young people in similar predicaments.
In 2020, Childline gave more than 6,000 counselling sessions over Christmas. The most raised concerns were mental health, suicidal thoughts and family relationships.
On Tuesday night, landmarks lit up in green for the NSPCC’S Walk for Children, in which hundreds of people in the UK walk five kilometres to raise money for the charity.
One landmark that shone green was Nottingham Playhouse.
Artistic director Adam Penford said: “Every child should be able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas without fear, worry or harm.
“We wanted to help highlight Childline as an incredible service so that children and young people in and around Nottingham know that whatever their problem and whatever their circumstance, they will never be alone.”
Another landmark lit up green was Green’s Windmill and Science Centre.
Trainee miller Leigh Evans said: “The work they carry out really is invaluable.”
Other landmarks that lit up to join the campaign included Nottingham’s Council House, The Cornerhouse, the Theatre Royal, the Royal Concert Hall and other buildings at both city universities.
Barbara Elsey, NSPCC community fundraising manager for Nottingham, said: “We hope these buildings being lit up shows a beacon of hope to children and young people that they can always call Childline, whatever their problems and whatever their circumstance, and they will always get help.”
The Childline service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and is free to call.