Supporting Children and Young People

SupportLine provides emotional support, advice and information to many children, young people and adults throughout the UK through their telephone helpline, email, website and postal support. The service helps all those who are vulnerable, isolated and at risk, the majority being children.

Each year SupportLine provides help to over 3,000 young people on many issues including child abuse, bullying, self harm, eating disorders, exam stress, rape, sexual assault, cultural issues, bereavement, domestic violence, mental health, depression, physical illness, anxiety, disability, parents with mental health issues, and family and personal relationships. SupportLine provides the time, patience, concern, care, information, listening and direction so often sought by the callers. In this way, SupportLine helps young people to increase their self esteem and confidence and to recognize and focus on their strengths and abilities to enable them to be able to cope more easily with the difficulties they face in their lives. Feedback has shown that the service makes a difference to many young people's lives.

The Barbara Ward Children's Foundation has recently awarded a second three-year grant to SupportLine which will help to provide a firm financial base for the charity which has seen a substantial increase in the number of children making contact. They are referred to SupportLine by many well-known national agencies, and through word of mouth. SupportLine is a classic example of the smaller charities that the BWCF is pleased to assist and which play such a vital role in helping those most at risk in Society.