Childline is launching a new app, which is the first to counsel young people via their smartphone.
“For Me” was invented by 4 teenagers from Poynton High School in Cheshire, before being developed in partnership with Barclays’ apprentices from Radbroke Hall in Knutsford.
Available for free, it enables young people to get confidential advice and support, including 1-2-1 chats with counsellors.
“I am so proud to see ‘For Me’ in the app store and hope it will really make a difference to people our age who are struggling. Our initial ideas for the app came about during a school lesson when we were thinking of ways to make technology benefit the community,” explained Laura Hindle, who is one of the team who invented the app.
“Watching the idea evolve into a reality has been quite a journey and it’s great to see the finished product ready to help young people. Let’s hope the app goes from strength to strength by offering invaluable support in such an accessible format.”
When Childline first launched 30 years ago all contact was over the phone, now 71% of counselling sessions are delivered online via email and 1-2-1 chat.
“Launching the ‘For Me’ app shows how we’re continuing to capitalise on new technology to give children and young people the easiest possible access to Childline’s free and confidential advice and support. Its development will enable our younger generation to tap directly into Childline’s expanding range of services through their mobile phone whenever and wherever they need our help,” added John Cameron, head of Childline Services at the NSPCC.
