Despite challenges, we’ll be here to help over Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like… well, you know how it goes.
And amidst all the challenges and changes 2020 has forced upon us, Christmas will bring with it a host of familiar experiences.
Our counsellors answer calls, emails and messages from children and young people every day, covering all kinds of topics. Since lockdown began, we’ve delivered almost 43,000 sessions to young people about their mental or emotional health, loneliness and low self-esteem, and others who said they felt they didn’t fit in or feel ‘normal’.
As the pandemic continues, we know that while many families will be enjoying the festive period, sadly there will be thousands of children and young people across the country who will feel the desperate
Help for children is only a phone call away. need to speak to our counsellors. Last year, we delivered 6,566 counselling sessions over the 12 days of Christmas, which included a 26% increase in counselling sessions about suicidal thoughts and feelings compared to the previous Christmas.
The pandemic has changed everything this year, and we don’t yet know how many young people will need us this Christmas, but what we do know is we’ll be doing everything we can to support them.
Of course, we at the
NSPCC are not afraid to ask for support ourselves, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone involved with landmarks across the North-East - including the Tyne Bridge, Northern Spire, Keel Square, Fulwell Mill, Cliffe Park Lighthouse and Beacon of Light – which will light up green in coming weeks to support us.
By illuminating these beacons of light, we’re able to remind the public that we are still here for children, whenever they need support, at what can be a very dark time of year even in an ordinary year. Despite all the challenges of 2020, we’re going to be here for children throughout the Christmas period, but if you’re able to help, it would be gratefully received.
Every donation helps ensure children have someone to hear their troubles in their darkest hour, but just as important is letting your children know that Childline is here to support them whenever they need us.