Ask Sam letter

Hi there,

Every young person has the right to a safe place to live where they have shelter, enough to eat and drink, and are protected from danger. It’s important to know that if this isn’t the case for you, there are places you can go for support. It’s understandable that this situation feels scary and confusing. But it’s not something you have to deal with by yourself.

The first step is to try talking to your parents. Sometimes people say things in the heat of the moment and after a bit of time has passed it may be easier to sit down and discuss things with them. This may feel hard to do but one of the things that can really help this conversation is to be assertive.

If you decide you don’t want to talk to your parents or even if you do, it’s a good idea to have lots of people you trust around you to support you. You could spend time thinking about adults in your life you could talk to. They could be other family members, friends’ parents or teachers at school if you can easily talk to them in the holidays. You might want to check out our advice on asking an adult for help.

There are also places that can help you find a place to stay if you need it. We've got information about your rights when it comes to where you live. And there are other places that can provide you with more practical  help and support like Shelter, your local council  and social services.

You should never have to live on the streets so do get in contact with someone for support. Remember, if you ever feel unsafe or in any danger at any time, you can always ring emergency services on 999. You will never get into trouble for asking for help.

Whatever situation you find yourself in, I want you to know you're not alone. Things often feel easier when you talk them through with someone else. So however you might be feeling, you can talk to a Childline counsellor at any time.

Take care,

Sam