More than 700 calls, texts, and messages were received by Childline -the ISPCC’s dedicated listening service for children- on Christmas Day alone, it has emerged.
The voluntary service deals with hundreds of calls on a daily basis, but the festive period is specially busy due to children in isolation, living in poverty, or homeless due to the Government’s failure to protect the innocent.
It’s a drop of some 40% on 2018.
According to an ISPCC operative:
“The festive season can be a happy magical time for so many, but for some children it can be met with financial pressures, family difficulties, isolation and even alcohol abuse. The calls and messages received by Childline this Christmas reflected this with children getting in touch to seek support and reassurance while some simply needed company,”
“In 2019 so far, Childline has received almost 900 contacts from children concerned about homelessness and this prompted Childline to launch a dedicated text support service for children concerned about homelessness.”
Children can text ‘Home’ to 50101 for free. The service open daily from 10am to 4am.