You may have seen this on the news, but I was shocked to learn that ChildLine – a critical source of support for many children in danger or need of support – is facing cuts to its critical night service, due to a shortage of funds. It’s not strictly an NUS issue, but I hope that we care about the welfare of others as well as our members.

In order to keep the daytime and evening services running, ChildLine may have to shut their crucial night service, unless the public respond generously to their emergency appeal. The night service counsels fewer children but they are often in desperate need.

Working the night service from 9pm to 7am is a full-time job, and all night service counsellors require six weeks of training, pushing up costs as a result of being unable to use volunteers.

I’m sure many of us knew children who went to ChildLine to seek help and support, or appreciate the value of a telephone support service from the services that our unions across the UK provide through initiatives like Nightline or specialist support lines.

There are a number of things that we could do to help:

1. Make a personal donation online at www.childline.org.uk
2. Put in a bid for a donation through your RAG society or other charitable organisations run by students in your unions
3. Why not hold a fundraising event? This could be as simple as a collection on your campus/in your college or dedicate one of your ents to ChildLine by giving a proportion of the ticket price or adding an extra quid to the usual price
4. Why not get your University or College on board – many have their own funds for charitable donations or would be willing to hold a joint event with students to raise money for charity

What is ChildLine?

ChildLine is the UK's free, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who may feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Over 1,000 volunteers provide a counselling service, supervised by a team of professional supervisors and managers. Every day around 4,000 children call ChildLine, but lack of funds means that only 2,300 of them will get through to our counsellors for comfort, advice and protection.

What do children call about?

Children call ChildLine about a wide range of problems, but the most common problems are abuse (both sexual and physical), bullying, serious family tensions, worries about friends’ welfare and teenage pregnancy.

How does ChildLine help?

Since it was launched in 1986, ChildLine has saved children's lives, found refuges for children in danger on the streets, and given hope to thousands of children who believed no one else cared for them. ChildLine has now counselled well over one million children and young people.

ChildLine campaigns on behalf of children by relaying what they tell us to policy-makers who can help change children’s lives for the better.

ChildLine also provides an outreach service to schools and youth groups.

ChildLine operates out of 11 counselling centres around the UK: Belfast, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Leeds, London, Nottingham, Manchester, Swansea, Rhyl, Birmingham and Newton Abbot. The London centre operates a 24-hour service, but during peak hours when the other centres are open, children’s calls go through to the nearest centre

Visit www.childline.org.uk for more information and please do all you can to help.

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