Cheryl becomes new face of Childline
Childline has announced Cheryl as their new campaigner, as they celebrate their 30th birthday.
Cheryl will focus on encouraging teenagers going through any difficult feelings to reach out for support rather than suffer in silence.
In her new role as Childline Campaigner Cheryl is sending a message to young people who are struggling to cope with the 24/7 pressures and demands of modern day life, that they are not alone and that there is help at hand.
Cheryl’s involvement comes at a crucial time as new Childline figures show a 22% increase over the last three years - from 31,221 in 2013/14 to 38,155 in 2015/16 - in counselling sessions delivered for girls aged 12-18 suffering from mental health and wellbeing issues such as low self-esteem, depression and self-harm.
Of even greater worry is the fact that 8,508 of these counselling sessions were carried out for teenage girls with suicidal feelings, a 28% increase over the same three-year period.
Speaking about her new role, Cheryl said:
“As a teenager I was aware of Childline, but like so many others I mistakenly thought it was just for young kids. The reality is that it doesn’t matter whether you are at primary, secondary school or college, or how big or small your problem is, Childline is there for you.
“Life can be hard sometimes, especially whilst you’re growing up, and everyone deserves someone to talk to and help make sense of it all. That is exactly what Childline is there to do; just listen and help. No young person should ever feel afraid, confused or alone so if that’s how you are feeling then please get in touch with them by phone or online.”
To mark Cheryl’s launch as a Childline Campaigner she has teamed up with Childline to make an emotive and heartfelt film which sees her voice replaced by young people talking about deeply personal problems.
Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said:
“Welcoming Cheryl as the new face of Childline is an absolutely fantastic way for the service to mark 30 years of helping children and young people.
“Through her support we will be able to reach a lot of young people who previously weren’t aware of Childline or perhaps thought that they were either too old or that their problem was not serious enough to warrant seeking help. The reality is that Childline is here for every child and young person and there is no better person than Cheryl to help us spread this crucial message.”
Dame Esther Rantzen, who founded Childline in 1986 and continues as its President, added:
“Having someone of Cheryl’s profile, who millions of young people admire is one of the best birthday presents Childline could hope for.
“We are really excited at the awareness that Cheryl will bring to the service, and in particular how she will enable us reach out to even more desperately unhappy young people with nowhere else to turn. She fully understands the new dangers young people face today such as sexting and cyber-bullying.
“The reality is that whatever the age or the problem Childline is a free, confidential helpline for any young person - a message that Cheryl will help us take to a whole new audience now that she has joined the team.”