'New service to support young people who feel lonely' - Your Letters: August 7

The summer holidays and the break from school often conjure up thoughts of fun, freedom, outdoor play and seaside trips with mum and dad. However, for many children living in the Midlands, these weeks away from school can be a lonely and isolating experience.

Last year, from the NSPCC’s Childline service delivered more than 4,500 counselling sessions to children and young people experiencing loneliness. Some young people missed having regular contact with school friends, others struggled with the lack of a day-to-day routine, while some were concerned about moving to a new school or year group in September.

Loneliness can have a profound impact on a child’s happiness and wellbeing, and Childline is available around the clock to help.

The NSPCC has also launched Building Connections – a new service to support young people who feel lonely. Building Connections is a free befriending service for children and young people, aged between 9 to 19, that helps tackle loneliness over 11 text-based sessions with a trained befriender.

By learning how to build rewarding friendships, the service helps children to build up their confidence and social resilience.

Any parent or carer who have concerns for their child’s wellbeing this summer can refer them to Building Connections by visiting our website - www.nspcc.org.uk. We are here to help.

Carrie Oliver, NSPCC

RAILWAY STATION TRAFFIC CHAOS 

On Friday, 11 July at around 5.45pm I went to collect my son from Shrewsbury Railway Station. I adhered to the new signage, entrance that used to be the exit and one way system around to the exits that used to be the entrance. 

Confused? Yes, so it appears was everyone else! It was total chaos. 

Cars blocking buses, which incidentally can use the new entrance as an exit… you can tell what’s going to happen with that idea, cars coming in to collect passengers can’t enter if a bus is at the traffic lights. 

Where are the cars waiting to enter supposed to go? They have no option but to block the road. Accident waiting to happen? 

This whole situation is making travellers very angry and for those who are collecting passengers it’s an utter shambles.

Why wasn’t this sorted before all of the roadworks took place? 

Where were the transport police? (drivers were even parking in their spaces) or security.

I will be emailing my MP.

Wendy Hayeck, Shrewsbury

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