NSPCC launches “Building Connections” to tackle loneliness among youth

The NSPCC steps up to combat youth loneliness with “Building Connections,” offering young people a friendly hand to navigate the challenges of isolation

Loneliness is one of the top mental and emotional health topics that children and young people seek help for from Childline. Over the past year, the service run by the NSPCC has delivered 5,109 counselling sessions related to the problem, and with 38% (1925) of those contacts, it was the first time they had contacted Childline.

Building Connections will be available for professionals – including teachers, social workers, youth workers and charitable organisations- to refer children and young people up to the age 19 who are struggling with loneliness.

Building Connections will then provide the young person with a befriender who will guide them through a seven-step programme across eleven sessions that will help them develop tools that will help them find their way to a better place.

Across the sessions children and young people can expect to look at the support and resources available to them as well as explore what they fear might be missing and take concrete steps to overcome feelings of loneliness.

One girl, aged 14, told Childline: “I have been feeling really lonely recently and drowned out by silence, even when I am surrounded by people. A good friend has pushed me away and what I hate is they seem to be doing completely fine and I’m not. I wish I had the capability of moving on so quickly. Now I am pushing people away because I am frightened of messing up or being judged and hated. So now I am left alone and feel like a nobody, I am literally a ghost.”

One boy, aged 17, told Childline: “Over the past few weeks, I have been feeling depressed and lonely. I have very few friends and struggle to talk to people. Even when I try to speak to new people over social media I just get ignored, which makes me feel really lonely. I want to be able to talk to people who want to talk to me and have relationships which I can treasure and enjoy. I feel stuck and have no idea how to improve my mood.”

Claire Watt, director of services at the NSPCC, said: “Loneliness has been a constant concern that young people have contacted Childline with for many years, which is why we have launched a new service to help with this issue.

“Loneliness can be caused by a host of situations, such as transition periods, peer relationships and the need to develop new networks, all of which were exacerbated by the pandemic.

“Building Connections is a service where young people can come and reflect on what is and isn’t working for them in terms of finding a way through loneliness with the help of our trained befrienders.”

To refer a child or young person to the service, visit the NSPCC Learning website.