Childline counselling sessions for abused and neglected children up five fold in one week

Childline has delivered 363 counselling sessions where children have experienced physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect in the past week, a five times increase on the week before.

In light of the coronavirus lockdown extension, Childline, which is run by NSPCC, has revealed the dramatic increase of children contacting them.

In the past three weeks, they have carried out 1,700 counselling sessions.

NSPCC has now launched an urgent fundraising campaign saying it is concerned about the number of children who will experience abuse or neglect due to the impact of coronavirus.

With many families struggling with lockdown, job losses and school closures.

Money raised through 'We're still here for children' will go towards supporting children and families across the West Country.

Today (Sunday 19 April) the Department for Education announced it was giving £1.6million for NSPCC's national helpline.

NSPCC welcomed this move saying it is thankful for the funding

Despite increased demands, Childline has been forced to axe its overnight service.

It says a lack of volunteers due to counsellors self-isolating has caused a 30% drop in volunteer hours.

However, it says it is still battling to be there for children across the UK.

The NSPCC is urging the public to donate £10 to help fund vital services like Childline. Credit: PA images

The NSPCC is urging the public to donate £10 to help fund vital services like Childline.

The money will mean volunteers can continue to take calls from children in desperate need.

In the West Country, staff that would usually deliver school based counselling for the NSPCC are adapting the way they work.

They have been retrained to help the charity's Childline service.

Kevin West usually delivers the charity’s Schools Service assemblies in primary schools across Bristol and Wiltshire.

In the past few weeks Childline has heard from children whose parents have lost their jobs and are under growing financial pressure, as well as from young carers struggling to look after their siblings whilst their parents fall sick with Coronavirus symptoms.

In the past few weeks Childline has heard from children whose parents have lost their jobs and are under growing financial pressure Credit: PA images