A CHARITY supporting LGBT+ young people is calling for volunteers in Wales aged 18 to 25 to help tackle anti-LGBT+ bullying by sharing their experiences in schools.

Just Like Us, the UK-based charity, offers its ambassadors training, career mentoring, media opportunities, and the chance to join a vibrant community of LGBT+ young adults across the UK. The programme equips volunteers to speak confidently about growing up LGBT+, promoting inclusivity and understanding among school pupils.

Ash, an ambassador from the South Wales Valleys, reflected on his journey: “Growing up in the Welsh valleys, there was a lack of diversity, and I experienced bullying that forced me to leave school early. Joining Just Like Us has helped me give children the education I wish I had received. I’ve gained confidence, self-acceptance, and the ability to advocate for trans rights while positively impacting young lives.”

The next ambassador training event will take place in Cardiff on 1–2 March 2025, with travel expenses covered for participants. Applications close at 11:59 pm on 16 February. The two-day event offers a supportive environment where attendees will learn to deliver impactful talks and build lasting connections with like-minded individuals.

Rain, a Cardiff-based ambassador, highlighted the importance of the charity’s work: “LGBT+ school pupils in Wales are the loneliest in the UK, according to research by Just Like Us. By becoming ambassadors, we can change that narrative and make a big difference for future generations.”

Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, said: “Our ambassadors provide relatable and positive representation, ensuring all young people feel seen, valued, and supported. Their stories inspire pupils and foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding. We’re excited to welcome new ambassadors in Cardiff and watch them transform lives while benefiting from this unique opportunity.”

For more information or to sign up for the training event, visit the Just Like Us website.

A WELSH NHS Confederation spokesperson has highlighted the immense pressure currently facing health and social care services in Wales due to a combination of factors, including winter viruses, staff sickness, cold weather, and an influx of severely ill patients.

Significant Challenges Across Services
Rising cases of flu and respiratory illnesses are significantly impacting NHS services, including GPs, urgent, and emergency care. Hospitals are opening surge bed capacity where possible and temporarily increasing staffing levels in community services to cope with demand. Many health boards have reinstated stricter infection prevention measures, such as mask-wearing in hospitals, and are asking unwell visitors to stay home to protect patients and staff.

High Levels of Escalation and Delays
Hospitals across Wales are operating at critical levels, resulting in long waits for care, including ambulance handover delays. Health boards are grappling with the difficult decision to postpone non-urgent treatments and surgeries, further straining efforts to reduce waiting lists. High levels of community infections, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus, are exacerbating the situation by causing bed closures and ward cleaning to prevent the spread of illnesses. One health board, for example, has approximately 100 beds closed due to flu.

Discharge Delays Impacting Patient Flow
A persistent issue is the significant number of medically fit patients remaining in hospitals while awaiting care and support at home. This bottleneck affects the flow of patients through the system. Health boards are working closely with local authorities to expedite discharges and free up beds for those requiring hospital care.

Appeal to the Public
Healthcare staff are working tirelessly under incredibly challenging conditions. The Welsh NHS Confederation has urged the public to treat health and care staff with respect and to take steps to help alleviate pressure on the NHS:

• Take precautions in icy weather to prevent falls, particularly among the elderly.
• Ensure prescription medicines and first aid supplies are stocked.
• Check on vulnerable loved ones and practice good hand hygiene.
• Seek vaccinations for flu, COVID-19, and RSV to protect against severe illness.
• Use NHS 111 online for advice and minor ailments, and visit pharmacies or Minor Injury Units where appropriate.

“Staff are doing everything they can to provide care in these extremely difficult circumstances,” the spokesperson said. “We all have a role in ensuring NHS resources are available for those who need them most.”

For more information, visit the NHS 111 website or contact your local pharmacy for support with minor health concerns.

CHILDLINE delivered nearly 5,000 counselling sessions in 2023/24 where loneliness was the main concern, highlighting a growing issue among children and young people in the UK.

Why are children feeling lonely?
Children cited various reasons for loneliness, including moving to a new school or home, parents working long hours, bullying, and feeling excluded after seeing friends having fun on social media.

One 16-year-old boy from Wales shared his struggles with Childline:
“I have depressive episodes that I can’t control. During these episodes, I get really nostalgic, sobbing and wishing I could go back. I get jealous of everyone and feel like all my friends hate me. Christmas is especially hard—I spend the day alone, crying. I just want this weight dragging me down to end.”

Support available from Childline
The NSPCC is urging children to reach out for support when struggling with loneliness. Childline offers confidential help 24/7, both online and via phone, through its 13 bases nationwide.

Additionally, the NSPCC’s Building Connections programme provides an online text befriending service. Designed for young people under 19, it pairs participants with a trained befriender for 11 weeks to help build confidence and manage loneliness.

To make a referral to the Building Connections service, visit https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/services/building-connections.

Tips for children dealing with loneliness

• Take part in positive activities: Engage in hobbies like sports, music, or art to boost your mood.
• Prioritise self-care: Eating well, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep can improve mental health.
• Socialise: Join clubs or reach out to trusted friends to connect with others.
• Ask for help: Speak to a trusted adult, teacher, or contact Childline.
• Consider Building Connections: Sign up for the NSPCC’s befriending service to gain tools to overcome loneliness.

Advice for adults supporting lonely children

• Communicate openly: Encourage children to share their feelings without fear of judgement.
• Understand the root cause: Gently explore their emotions and validate their experiences.
• Encourage socialising: Suggest hobbies or activities where they can meet peers.
• Build confidence: Celebrate achievements and remind children of positive relationships in their lives.
• Create a supportive environment: Be open to ongoing conversations about their feelings.

Louise Israel, Childline Team Manager at NSPCC Cymru, emphasised the importance of these services:
“It’s heart-breaking to see so many young people turning to Childline because they feel lonely and isolated. Loneliness can deeply affect mental health, especially in the darker winter months. Childline is here to ensure no child feels they have to face these emotions alone.”

How to contact Childline
Young people can call Childline on 0800 1111 or use the 121 chat feature on the Childline website to access confidential support.

For adults and children alike, these resources offer hope and help in tackling loneliness together.