Buildings and landmarks across the city go green in support of Childline, to brighten up the darkest night of the year.
Along with the Martin Luther King Building at Royal Albert Dock, the Liverpool ONE Christmas tree will be lit up green specially for the NSPCC and Childline. We go green on the evening of 21 December – the longest night of the year – to represent beacons of light in the darkness, which is what the Childline service offers to children and young people every day of the year.
Kay Jackson is a volunteer counsellor at the Liverpool Childline base, and said she has already spoken to young people who were worried that they may not be able to get the support they need during the festive period.
Kay said: “I’ve already spoken to some young people who assumed everywhere is shut on Christmas Day, or wouldn’t be as easy to contact or helpful, but we will be there to help them.
“You can’t help the way you feel or what you’re going through. Experiences, feelings and circumstances don’t stop happening just because it’s Christmas, they’re still happening and they are still important, so it’s important to remember that Childline is still there and can help even at Christmas.”
Last December saw Childline deliver a record number of counselling sessions for a single month, with mental and emotional health still among the most common topics raised with counsellors.
The number of contacts about loneliness from children aged 11 and under rose by 47% in the last year, so it is vital children are aware they still have somewhere to turn this Christmas and new year.
Children can contact Childline 24 hours a day, every day of the year, on 0800 1111, or through the Childline website, www.childline.org.uk
If you’re an adult with concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
To find out how you can support the NSPCC through volunteering, fundraising or donating, go to www.nspcc.org.uk