Barrhead News | News | OVER 200 YOUNGSTERS CALLED CHILDLINE

Saturday, 22nd November, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 8th October, 2008 13:00

OVER 200 YOUNGSTERS CALLED CHILDLINE

By Rosalyn Campbell

HUNDREDS of Barrhead children and young people called ChildLine last year.

Abuse, bullying and troubled family relationships were listed as the top three reasons behind the shock statistics - the NSPCC has revealed.

Cyber bullying, running away, drugs, gangs, puberty, peer pressure, crime, sex and alcohol are some of the other issues that made troubled young people reach for the phone to speak to a trained volunteer counsellor.

The new figures show that 202 youngsters rang ChildLine from a landline or payphone in Barrhead last year - and this figure does not include calls from mobile phones.

Landline and payphone calls represent only 20 per cent of the calls the helpline receives.

Hilary Gibbs, a Barrhead woman who volunteers at ChildLine’s Glasgow base, is calling for local residents to support the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal in light of the shocking new figures - and help make sure every child’s cry for help is heard.

Hilary said: “I began volunteering for ChildLine about two and a half years ago. Sometimes a shift can be one challenge after another - and although that’s tiring, I go home knowing without a doubt that ChildLine has made life a little better for at least one young person that day.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “We actively encourage children to report concerns, especially where child protection issues are involved.

“Childline is one of the ways in which they can confidentially discuss problems and receive support.

“Many children also phone Childline because, in some cases, communication has broken down between them and their parents. We do all we can to help to rebuild communication and relationships - aiming to keep the family unit together when that is to the benefit of the child and his or her parents.”

Councillor Douglas Yates, East Renfrewshire CHCP chair added: “Child safety is a council-wide responsibility and we will continue to work with our partners and communities so that the number of children who feel or are unsafe or vulnerable continues to fall.”

Through the Child Voice Appeal, the NSPCC aims to double the capacity of its ChildLine service in Scotland and introduce online counselling and text services.

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