Contact the NSPCC Helpline
You can contact our Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, or by emailing [email protected] between 11am and 4pm, seven days a week. If you send an email when the service is closed, it won't be received, and we won't know that you've tried to get in touch.
If we have not yet responded to you and your concerns for the safety of a child increase, please contact the police or local Children’s Services directly. Please be assured that we'll action all contacts that our Helpline receives.
Under 18?
Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.
Donate to a charity this Christmas
Deciding which charity to donate to at Christmas isn't always easy. Whether you're looking to make a Christmas donation, give something back or support a cause close to your heart, choosing a charity that makes a difference to people's lives is a great place to start.
For most children, Christmas is a magical time of year. But when schools close, thousands of children are trapped in their homes and feel they have nowhere to turn.
By supporting the NSPCC, you can help make sure children have somewhere to turn when they need it most.
Why support a charity at Christmas?
Christmas is a time for giving, and making a charity donation can help spread a little kindness beyond your friends and family.
For some people, the festive season can be particularly difficult. By donating to charity at Christmas, you can help provide vital support to those who need it, whether that's a listening ear, practical help or somewhere safe to turn.
And you don't need to give a lot to make a difference. Whatever you can afford, your Christmas donation could help change someone's life.
Support a children's charity this Christmas
For many children, Christmas is a time of excitement and celebration. But for those experiencing abuse or neglect, the festive season can be the most dangerous time of year.
With schools closed for the holidays, some children lose access to the trusted adults and support networks they rely on. Others may be struggling with loneliness, while they see others around them filled with joy.
By choosing to support a children's charity like the NSPCC this Christmas, you can help us provide vital support to children and young people experiencing abuse or neglect.
How does the NSPCC help children at Christmas?
For children experiencing abuse or neglect, having someone to talk to can make all the difference. And while schools and other services may close for the Christmas holidays, Childline is still here to listen.
Run by the NSPCC, Childline provides free, confidential support to children and young people, whatever they're going through. Whether they're worried about something happening at home, struggling with their mental health or feeling alone, they can speak to a trained Childline counsellor who’ll listen without judgement.
When schools are closed and other safety nets disappear, Childline is open. Last winter, Childline received over 3,400 calls about abuse - 24% more than the one before.
Behind every one of those conversations is a child who needed help or advice. By supporting the NSPCC this Christmas, you can help us continue being there for children when they need us most.
On Christmas Day, I was trapped in a cage. I couldn't go out. There were more opportunities for him to be alone with me. I wanted to run away but knew I couldn’t, so I’d call Childline.
- Sarah
How can your Christmas donation make a difference?
When you donate to the NSPCC at Christmas, you're helping us continue our vital work to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect.
Around 75p in every £1 we spend goes directly to helping children and young people. The rest is spent on making sure the NSPCC is providing the best possible services we can.
Your generosity helps us provide services like Childline, giving children and young people a safe space to talk about whatever's worrying them. It also funds our wider work to support families, prevent abuse, and protect children and young people.
Whether you can give a little or a lot, every donation helps us work towards a future where every child is safe.
My abuse tended to be even worse at Christmas. I felt very isolated and didn’t know who to tell. I knew that if I didn’t get it all out I would do something really bad to myself so I told [Childline].
I really do believe [they] saved my life.
- Charley
Volunteer this Christmas
A child contacts Childline on average every 45 seconds, and our volunteer Childline counsellors play a crucial role in making sure children and young people have someone to talk to.
Between 24 December 2025 and 4 January 2026, Childline delivered over 4,500 counselling sessions, while the NSPCC Helpline handled 1,919 child welfare contacts.
Christmas Day volunteering can be a meaningful way to give back during the festive season.
By volunteering as a Childline counsellor, you could help make a difference to children and young people at Christmas and throughout the year.
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- [Childline counsellor]
Other ways to support the NSPCC this Christmas
Making a donation isn't the only way to support a children's charity at Christmas. Whether you're looking for festive fundraising ideas, wonderful Christmas gifts that give something back, or to volunteer this Christmas, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
However you choose to support us, you'll be helping the NSPCC continue our important work to keep children and young people safe.
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- [Parent]
Frequently asked questions about Christmas charity donations
There are lots of worthwhile charities to support at Christmas. Which one you choose to donate to will depend on the causes that matter most to you.
By donating to the NSPCC, you’ll be helping protect children and young people. Your donation can help us continue our vital work to prevent abuse and support children, young people and families.
There are many children's charities doing important work in the UK and around the world. The right one for you will depend on the difference you'd like your donation to make.
The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children's charity working to protect children from abuse and neglect. By supporting us at Christmas, you can help fund vital services like Childline, which provides free, confidential support to children and young people.
There are several ways you can make a difference to vulnerable children during the festive season.
You could donate to a children's charity like the NSPCC, organise a Christmas fundraiser or buy charity Christmas gifts that support a good cause.
Yes. Making a charity donation instead of buying traditional Christmas presents can be a kind and generous way to celebrate the festive season.
You could donate to the NSPCC in honour of a friend or family member, helping support children who need someone to turn to.
You can explore the NSPCC's online shop for Christmas cards and gifts that help support our work.
There's no right or wrong amount to donate to charity at Christmas. Whether you give £5, £10 or more, every contribution can help charities continue their important work.
At the NSPCC, donations of all sizes help us protect children, prevent abuse and provide vital support through services like Childline.
- £4 could help answer a child’s call or message to Childline
- £29 is an hour of a Childline Practitioner’s time, supporting volunteer Counsellors
- £80 could help answer 20 children’s calls to Childline
- £200 could pay for one Childline Practitioner’s shift, supporting our volunteer Counsellors
