Childline is 'urgently' recruiting volunteers after a surge in calls from kids under the age of 11 who are struggling to cope with the ongoing pandemic.
Fears over the mental health of children were raised by the NSPCC who say that Covid19 is having a 'devastating' impact on youngsters.
The charity says Childline has recently seen a surge in calls from children - with a 16 percent rise in the average number of mental health calls from under 11s between April and December last year.
In the same period the charity delivered almost 55,000 counselling sessions to children of agg ages - a rise of 10% on the previous year.
According to the NSPCC chiildren who called the helpline spoke about loneliness, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem, brought on by the pandemic.
Some have been feeling isolated and overwhelmed due to concerns about family members catching the virus, or school closures and cancelled exams - while others have felt cut off from support networks and are missing family and friends.
One 16-year-old who contacted the helpline said: "I feel really sad and lonely. I need to talk to someone because I don’t really have anyone right now. I am really struggling with the whole isolation thing.
"Most days I find myself just lost in my own thoughts and feeling numb. I am classed as a vulnerable person, so my isolation lasts for 12 weeks, which seems like a lifetime."
Childline founder and president, Dame Esther Rantzen said: "With schools now shut again and children spending more time behind closed doors, it is absolutely imperative that Childline is there for them.
"Many young people, especially those in unsafe homes, are feeling desperately anxious and depressed.
"School can be the only safe haven they know, and without that support they feel entirely alone.
"For them, Childline is literally a life-line. But the service urgently needs more volunteers to listen to and support children, and more funds to pay for their calls and on-line contacts, and for that we depend upon the generosity and compassion of the public.
"It is the NSPCC’s mission to make 2021 a better year for children, and with your help we can make this dream a reality.”
Children can call Childline on 0800 11 11 from 7.30am to 3.30 am from Monday to Friday or 9am to 3.30am on weekends. Or they can get in touch via Childline.
If you would like to volunteer visit the NSPCC online
