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.

MONTHS of turmoil at Neyland Town Council have culminated in frustration among residents, who are now calling for councillors to work together as a cohesive body.

The tension escalated following concerns that yet another town council meeting will be postponed next week due to the agenda not being published within the statutory three-day period. In response, residents have formed the Neyland Community Action Group to push for accountability and improved cooperation among councillors.

“For a long time now, there have been issues within our local council,” said Leah Unwin, a concerned resident. “I think it is time we came together as a community to push for some resolution.

“As it stands, there have been no meetings since October. No meetings mean agenda items are not dealt with, and the public cannot ask questions. Holding meetings is the most basic requirement of a council.

“As a town, we pay £100,000 per year for the local council to exist, directly from our council tax. We deserve a council that works for us.

“I am not personally concerned with the reasons for the deterioration in relationships within the council. The council is one body; it is up to them to work together. If they can’t, they need to ask themselves whether it is fair to us, the community, to continue in their roles.

“I feel strongly that any action taken against the council should be done collectively.”

This week, tensions among councillors reached a new low when Cllr Mike Harry sent an email to Cllr Brian Rothero, describing him as “an odious oaf.” Harry dismissed Rothero’s questions as “garbage” and criticized his alleged supporters, saying, “His cronies at the Foresters bar are hardly people of high respect in the community, so I’m not bothered by their opinions.”

The Neyland Community Action Group is now encouraging residents to share their views on what actions should be taken to address the ongoing dysfunction.

Community calls for change: Residents express frustration with Neyland Town Council (Pic: Herald).

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL have voted to revise and simplify the long-term empty properties council tax premium. 

Previously the premium increased incrementally. However, Members agreed in December that from April 1^st 2025 one rate of 300% will apply to all properties that have been empty for two years or more. 

Cllr Joshua Beynon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, said:

“The premium is in place to encourage the return of properties into use as much needed homes in Pembrokeshire and to reduce the impact of empty homes on the communities around them.”

The premium is in addition to the standard council tax charge and applies to all three elements – Council, Police & Crime Commissioner and Town & Community Councils.

Council taxpayers who are renovating their properties can apply for a council tax exemption which can be applied to the property for a maximum period of 12 months if the property requires major repair works or structural alteration.

This exemption means that no council tax is payable for this 12-month period.

If the exemption has already been awarded taxpayers can apply for a discretionary discount, which can be awarded up to the level of the long-term empty property premium. In such instances the standard council tax charge is still payable. 

Each case is considered on its own merits and taxpayers are required to provide written details of the works required together with photographic evidence. 

This discount is normally awarded for up to maximum period of 12 months.

If you wish to apply for this discount, email [email protected] or write to Revenue Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

Pembrokeshire County Council is also participating in the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme which will give owners of empty properties access to a grant of up to £25,000 if their property meets the required criteria and further information on this grant can be found online: https://www.nationalemptyhomesgrant.wales

Interest free loans are also available and further information on who is eligible can be found via https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/private-housing/empty-home-loans