A CHARITY is preparing for a rise in calls from children experiencing loneliness during the summer months.
The NSPCC says it delivered over 4,500 counselling sessions to young people on the topic from April 2024 to March 2025 – an average of 380 sessions per month.
But in July and August, there was a monthly increase in support provided by Childline about loneliness, with a total of 852 counselling sessions delivered to children and young people across the two months.
The main themes identified from these summer counselling sessions included worrying about a lack of contact with friends over the summer, feeling excluded from summer social activities and concerns about moving to a new school or year group in September.
One boy, aged 13, told Childline: “It’s the summer holidays where I live. I don’t have many people to talk to and one of my friends blocked me online for no reason. It kinda feels like no one likes me.”
Another child, aged 14 told Childline: “All my friends are away on holiday or visiting family over summer, so I don’t have anyone to hang out with. I’m feeling pretty lonely right now.”
As always, Childline is in place to provide free and confidential advice 24/7, both over the phone and online, to children struggling with loneliness and any other issues and concerns.
In addition, the NSPCC is supporting young people who may be dealing with loneliness through a free online text befriending service called Building Connections.
Carrie Oliver, befriending coordinator with the Building Connections team supporting Birmingham, said: “For many children and young people living in the West Midlands, the holiday period can be a lonely and isolating experience as they feel disconnected from their school friends and their day-to-day routines. Our befriending service at the NSPCC, Building Connections, is here to help.
“Building Connections is free to all children, aged between 9 and 19, throughout the summer holiday. If a child is struggling, they can reach out to a safe and trusted adult who can then refer them to our service. Together, we will tackle loneliness and support rewarding friendships across 11 text based sessions. We will always be here to help children.”
Childline has also released a series of tips for both adults and children to help cope with loneliness.
For adults to help children and young people who might be experiencing loneliness:
- Communicate openly: Encourage children to talk about their feelings and listen without judgement.
- Understand the cause: Gently explore why they might be feeling this way and validate their emotions.
- Encourage socialising: Help children find opportunities to connect with peers through hobbies, clubs, or activities.
- Build confidence: Celebrate their strengths and achievements and remind them of the positive relationships in their lives.
Advice for children who are struggling with their mental health and/or loneliness includes:
- *Do things that feel positive: Try your best to take part in activities you enjoy, whether that’s playing a sport, listening to music, reading a book, or drawing. Small positive actions really can have a big impact on your mood.
- Take care of yourself: When you are struggling with difficult feelings, it is important to continue to prioritise your basic needs, such as eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep. Taking care of your body can have a positive impact on your mental health.
Try to find ways to socialise: Whether it’s joining a club, connecting with peers at school, or reaching out to a trusted friend, prioritising socialising can help to reduce feelings of lonelines.
To refer a child to the Building Connections service, visit the NSPCC website.
Childline is available for young people via the phone on 0800 1111 and online through the 121 chat on the Childline website.
