Pat's Answer

Welcome to Ask Pat, thank you for your question. 

You are asking if there is a limit to how often you can ring or use Childline’s webchat, and the answer is simple, no. There is no limit, you can contact us as often as you wish and talk to us about whatever you choose. 

We are sorry you feel that you are wasting Childline’s time, and we would like to assure you that is not the case. There is nothing too big or too small for getting in contact with Childline. 

We are sorry to hear that you have a problem that is bothering you a lot. Well done on reaching out to Childline and for reaching out to Ask Pat. Have you spoken to your parents or another adult you trust about what’s going on for you, other than Childline? This adult could be a grandparent, friend, teacher, school counsellor. We understand it can be difficult or awkward to talk with someone we know. Sometimes it is easier to talk to somebody that we do not know. Are you aware you have the right to seek professional help and support, to share your thoughts and feelings with a doctor, or to reach out to talk to a counsellor should you need to? 

You can contact any of our Childline services which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are free and they are confidential. We do not use caller ID or trace calls.  

The Childline website has lots of articles about current issues that you may like to read. The website also has information on your rights as a child, your privacy and protecting your data. There is an advice and information section, as well as the Ask Pat service! 

The most important thing for you to know is that no matter what you say or ask, you will not be judged, you will not be told what to do when you get in touch with Childline. You will be listened to by someone who cares about what is going on for you. You don’t need to have a problem to contact us. It doesn’t matter what you want to chat to us about, it can be about anything at all. Childline is your space to chat or rant about whoever or whatever you want to. If there was a situation where Childline felt that you were not safe, then if you wanted to, Childline would be able to get you some help. To do this, we would need to ask you for some more information. This would only happen though, IF you decided that you wanted help. 

Now that you know there is no limit to the amount of times you can contact us, please feel very welcome to get in touch again. Thanks for taking the time to write to us. 

Stay safe, 

Pat