Childline

ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. 

 

You can contact ChildLine about anything - no problem is too big or too small.


If you are feeling scared or out of control or just want to talk to someone you can contact ChildLine.  

Some of the things that you might want to contact us about are feeling lonely or unloved, worries about the future, problems about school, bullying, drugs, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, physical and sexual abuse, running away and concerns about parents, brothers, sisters and friends, and crimes against you.

What should I say when I contact ChildLine?

It can be hard to write or talk if you are upset or feeling hurt and you might not know what to say or write.

There are a few things that you can do before you contact us, to make sure we can help you as much as possible. 

  • Think about what you want to say before you contact us.
  • You can get in touch at any time, but it might help you to have thought about what you want to tell us first.
  • Make sure you are in a safe place and have enough time to write your email, chat or call us so you are not interrupted.
  • Try and be clear and describe what has happened and how you feel. This will help your counsellor understand how to help you.

What kind of person will I talk to or email when I contact ChildLine?

In many ways ChildLine counsellors are very ordinary people. In other ways they are special because they give their time to ChildLine so that every day of the year, 24/7, there is someone there if you need help. A ChildLine counsellor is someone:

·     Who will believe you and knows it takes courage to contact us

·     Who you can trust

·     Who won't judge you or put you down

·     Who is not easily shocked

·      Who understands the sorts of problems you might be worried about

·      Who is trained to help

What do I have to tell ChildLine when I get in touch?

·    When you contact us you don't have to give your name or any details about yourself if you don't want to.

·     You can contact us about anything, so think about how you feel and tell us about it. The more you tell us about what is happening and how it makes you feel, the more we can understand and help you.

·     We might ask you some questions to try and understand how you are feeling or to help you talk about it. You don't have to answer them if you don't want to.

·     You can get back in touch at anytime, even if you didn't tell us anything the first time you contacted us.

Does ChildLine work differently during the night?

Counsellors are always wanting to talk to you, no matter how big or small your worry is. Sometimes, we struggle to answer every 1-2-1 chat or call quickly at night as there are fewer counsellors than in the day. This does not mean you are not important to us.
 
If you need ChildLine straight away at night please call 0800 1111. We'll check that you're safe.  If you are, we might ask you to call back the next day just in case another young person is needing urgent help. Remember you can always email ChildLine, post on the message boards and use Ask Sam.
 

(information taken from the Childline website)

 

Who to contact

Telephone
0800 1111 0800 1111
Website
Childline website
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