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.

TENBY RNLI is mourning the loss of former Shore Crew member Stuart Fecci, who passed away recently. Stuart served aboard the Henry Comber Brown lifeboat until a tragic accident in 1988 resulted in the loss of his hand.

Despite the injury, Stuart remained a dedicated supporter of Tenby RNLI. The Fecci family has deep roots with the station, including Stuart’s son Samuel, who raised over £300 by completing the RNLI’s Mayday Mile walk in 2021.

Deputy Coxswain Jon Lewis, Stuart’s cousin who carries the Fecci name through his mother, paid tribute: “The last time I spoke to him, he greeted me in a packed Tudor Square as the larger-than-life character he was and shouted, ‘Coxswain Lewis!’ before continuing to congratulate me.”

Stuart will be deeply missed by the entire community. The thoughts of everyone at the station are with his wife Sally and his family during this difficult time.

THE ANNUAL BOXING DAY Duck Race in Lower Fishguard, organised by the Round Table Fishguard & District, proved to be another resounding success this year.

A large crowd gathered by the riverside to watch the vibrant yellow ducks race downstream, with participants and spectators enjoying the festive tradition despite the winter chill.

Thanks to overwhelming community support, the event raised an impressive £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, a vital service providing emergency air cover across the region.

The winners of this year’s race were:

• 1st: Duck 807 – Rachel
• 2nd: Duck 94 – Glenys Hughes
• 3rd: Duck 119 – Howard Hughes

In a lighthearted twist, the title of ‘Last Place Duck’ went to Duck 937 – Julia Moffet, earning laughs from the crowd.

A spokesperson for the Round Table Fishguard & District said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who bought ducks, attended the event, or supported us in any way. It’s always a joy to see the community come together for such a great cause.”

The Boxing Day Duck Race continues to be a cherished tradition, blending fun, community spirit, and charity support into one delightful event.