ISPCC Childline Available To Every Child And Young Person At This Time, But Public Support Vital

ISPCC Childline has announced that it will continue to be there to listen to every child and young person in Ireland throughout the period in which Ireland is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service has appealed for public support to help ensure it can meet an expected increase in demand, at a time when vital fundraising activities must be curtailed.

Childline receives an average of 1,000 contacts every day from children and young people across Ireland who contact the service to talk about any issue which might be on their mind. Contacting Childline ensures that children are listened to and their worries and concerns are responded to. This helps to build their resilience, to assist them in coping with the challenges they face.

ISPCC Childline Chief Executive John Church said: “It is understandable that children and young people may have concerns in light of this unprecedented and rapidly evolving set of circumstances which presents new challenges to us all.

“Childline particularly acknowledges the additional stress which may be experienced by young people due to undertake state examinations this year.

“ISPCC Childline is doing everything possible to ensure Childline will continue to be here for every child and young person in Ireland – for whatever might be on their mind. We are hugely grateful to our wonderful volunteers across Ireland for their dedication to the service.

“Any child or young person in Ireland can contact Childline by chatting online at Childline.ie. Information and support content is also available at Childline.ie.

“It is important that parents and carers keep lines of communication open with their children at this time, encourage and assist them in following the guidance of health officials and are there for any questions they may have. Particularly at a time like this, talking really does make us stronger. 

“Guidance and support is available to parents and carers to assist them also. Further information, including details of the ISPCC’s Support Line service, is available on the ISPCC website.

The ISPCC Chief Executive stated, however, that the provision of the ISPCC’s services is heavily dependent on public support.

“It is a reality that the new set of circumstances in which Ireland finds itself means a curtailment of the fundraising activities on which the ISPCC depends. Many of the children and young people who contact Childline tell us they feel as though they have nowhere else to turn. Our services rely on public and corporate support to remain open to them. In this regard, we are hugely grateful to the Irish public for the wonderful support we receive, particularly at challenging times.

“We are now appealing for your support to help ensure we can continue to be there, always. You can help keep Childline listening by visiting ispcc.ie/donate-now.

Recommended Posts