Childline Foyle staff sacrifice family holidays to support vulnerable youth

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for most children, but for some, Christmas can be a difficult and even dangerous period.

This year and every year, the NSPCC’s Childline service will be there for young people 24/7 throughout the festive season, and staff and volunteers at the charity’s Foyle hub will be working on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and beyond to provide a listening ear for young people in need of support or who just want someone to talk to.

Clare Conroy is a Childline Team Manager at the Queen’s Quay base and as part of a 24/7 service, is used to sacrificing holidays.

“I worked Christmas Day last year and am working Christmas Eve this year,” says Clare. “I'll be spending Christmas with my husband, son and our two-year-old Labrador cross, Koji. We plan to visit family in the morning and then are going to go to my parents for Christmas Day dinner.

“I’m really looking forward to my mum cooking and me having a year off,” she laughs. “In the evening we’ll be pulling out the board games and I’m hoping my son will get out his guitar and give us a few songs to sing along to.

“Christmas with family has always been very important to me, however working for Childline I’ve also come to appreciate that it’s not always a happy time for some young people.

“Children contact us about everything over the festive season. I’ve heard calls and chats from young people sharing what they got as presents, telling us how they are spending their day and what they are looking forward to.

“Childline isn’t just there for the big things, we are there for the little things that can feel big as well, and young people will always be given space to share, talk about their feelings and if they want help either at Christmas or in the future, we can talk about that too.

“However, we also get calls from young people whose days aren’t going the way people might think a child spends Christmas Day. They often talk about family arguments, which as evening draws in can turn a home into a place where they no longer feel safe.

“Children might call from their bedrooms or while hiding away from fighting parents who are under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances.

“Some young people struggle to cope with the pressures of spending a lot of time with groups of people, due to their differing needs, and there can be a lot of pressure to be ‘good’ when family visit which can be difficult for a young person struggling with mental health, or knowing what things will be like when the visitors leave.

NSPCC Posed pic - Young person calling Childline Christmas

“I’ve often spoken too young people who are finding it difficult to cope and who turn to self-harming or have suicidal thoughts.

“We can have the same young people get in touch across the day as things change for them and they know Childline is their safe space, and they can reach out when they need us.

“I know there will be smiles and laughter from the wonderful practitioners and volunteers in the hub, but there will also be empathy and concern and a feeling of being together for something that also reflects the true spirit of Christmas.

“At Childline Foyle, we do lots of traditional festive things. There’s lots of chocolate and snacks in our counselling room, we have our Christmas jumpers on, and enjoy conversations reflecting on the year with each other.

“Volunteer Engagement Lead, Amanda, will have the office all decorated and the tree lights will be on and there’ll be gifts under the tree to thank our volunteers.

“Our main priority though is, and has always been, being there for the children and young people who need us. Being there for these young people makes working at Christmas worth it.”

Childline Practitioner Eva Czabanik will be working on Christmas Day, so will enjoy a festive feast on Christmas Eve.

She says: “Being from Hungary, our main celebration happens on Christmas Eve. That’s when we enjoy a festive dinner and open presents. It’s a tradition I’ve carried with me since childhood, and it still feels magical every year.

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“This year, I’ll be celebrating with my partner and our one-year-old dachshund, Honey.

“We’ve added a fun twist this time - matching pyjamas for all three of us! Yes, we’re proud dog parents, and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Honey is part of the family and seeing her in tiny festive PJs will be the highlight of the evening.

“Living far from family means we get creative to stay connected. My mum and I usually cook together over a video call – she’ll be in her kitchen back home, and I’ll be in mine, chatting and laughing as if we were side by side.

“It’s a lovely way to keep traditions alive and feel close despite the distance.

“At Childline, we hear from young people struggling with family conflict, abuse, parental substance misuse, or feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially those in care or in hospital who can’t be with family.

“Social media comparisons can make things worse. Many young people look at the picture-perfect Christmases online and wonder why theirs doesn’t look the same. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and self-blame.

“One previous contact that has stayed with me was from a young person overwhelmed because the uncle who had abused them in the past was spending Christmas with them.

“Their parents didn’t know about the abuse and assumed the young person was just being moody. While no current abuse was happening, the emotional impact was significant.

“They weren’t ready to disclose to their parents yet but speaking to Childline for the first time may have helped lift years of guilt and self-blame.

“That conversation may have been the first step toward disclosure, on their own terms, respecting their own timeline. It reminded me how powerful it can be for a young person to have a safe space to talk.

“I’ve worked on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve for the past couple of years. The atmosphere at the base is warm and festive. We have twinkling lights, share snacks, and bring in leftovers from our own celebrations. There’s a sense of purpose that makes the day feel especially meaningful.

“I feel privileged to spend part of the festive season supporting children and young people.”

Childline is here for children and young people 24/7, every day over the Christmas period and all year round. No problem is too big or too small - there’s always someone here to talk to. Calls are free on: 0800 1111, or you can message and live chat with us online at: www.childline.org.uk.