Contacting Childline

Sending a message is free, and we’ll usually reply within a day. Writing to a counsellor can give you the space to say what you want and to ask questions.

You can say as much or as little as you feel able to. If you’re not sure what to write, you could start by including:

• A little about yourself, like your name and how old you are
• What’s been happening or what’s on your mind, and how it makes you feel
• Any questions you might have, and what you’d like to happen in the future
• A title that says what you’d like to talk about

You don’t need to write a lot if you don’t want to, but it can help to include all the information the counsellor might need to know – if a counsellor needs to ask for more information, it can take longer to get help.

Writing an email can help you to get out your feelings, don’t forget you can use your mood journal to record how you’re feeling any time.

Call us on 0800 1111. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK. And they won't show up on your phone bill. Even if you don't have credit on your mobile phone you can still call us for free. 

Calls are not recorded and our number won't show up on any phone bills. Counsellors write some notes about what you tell them. Childline is confidential, that means we’ll only tell someone else if:

• you ask us to
• we believe your life or someone else's life is in danger
• you're being hurt by someone in a position of trust who is able to hurt other children like a teacher, religious leader, sports coach, police officer or doctor
• you tell us that you're seriously hurting another person
• you tell us about another child who's being hurt and is not able to tell someone or understand what is happening to them
• we're told we have to by law, for example for a court case.

Live in the Channel Islands?
Calls may be chargeable from mobiles and the number will appear on your mobile bill. To call us free from the Channel Islands, try using a landline or phone box. Or contact a counsellor online using 1-2-1 counsellor chat.

Calling from abroad?
If you go abroad and need to contact Childline, you might be charged. But you can still get support and advice from our website. 

Calling from Guernsey?
If you're calling from Guernsey and Airtel is your mobile phone provider, you’ll need to dial 0044800 1111 to speak to a counsellor.

Lots of young people have told us that talking on the phone feels too scary, or that they’re worried about being overheard.

Talking on the phone can help in lots of ways, and the more you do it the easier it can feel. If you want to call but you’re struggling, if can help to:

• Try dialling the number but not saying anything
  This can help you to see what calling is like. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, or you could talk about something that interests you.

• Ask questions
  When you get through to Childline, you can ask as much as you want about how we work.

• Find the best place to talk
  Find somewhere quiet where you can focus if you can.

• Take your time
  Childline counsellors understand that it’s not easy to talk, and they can help you to feel more confident. Remember, if you can’t talk on the phone right now, you can start by using the 1-2-1 chats or sending an email using your Childline account.

Any time you’re ready, you can call us on 0800 1111.