Get Connected

The Youth Helplines Network has condemned the National Bullying Helpline for breaching the confidentiality of callers alleged to be staff from the Prime Minister's office.

Actor pledges his support for the UK charity which provides free, confidential help for vulnerable young people

Get Connected has announced that Daniel Radcliffe, the critically acclaimed star of the "Harry Potter" film series and Broadway's Equus, has confirmed his support and made a generous donation to the signposting service.

Radcliffe, 20, currently busy on the film set of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", confirmed his support of Get Connected as the charity celebrated its tenth anniversary with a reception at the House of Lords.

Daniel Radcliffe said: "I am delighted to pledge my support for Get Connected, and mark their 10^th anniversary by becoming their first Best Friend. The free confidential helpline finding young people help for any problem is a vital and unique service. We live in a world that is so full of choice and information; it is often impossible to know where to turn or what to do.

"Get Connected is there for young people in need of help no matter what the issue, from eating disorders to abuse, homelessness to pregnancy. I see Get Connected as much more than just a gateway for information; it is a friend to thousands of young people across the UK. I also support The Trevor Project, which is America's leading national organisation focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. As with Trevor, I hope that my support can raise the visibility of Get Connected so that even more young people become aware that there's help on hand."

Get Connected fields 70,000 calls each year and over 20,000 young people are connected for free to the help, via phone, email and webchat, with a further addition to the service, WebHelp 24/7 for online self-help, launched this week.

Fiona Clark, Interim Chief Executive of Get Connected, added: "We feel extremely privileged that Daniel Radcliffe has chosen to support Get Connected and help us launch our new Friends scheme in such an exciting way. His generous contribution will assist us immensely as we work towards raising greater awareness among young people and expanding our services to be available for young people whenever they need help. We are hopeful that Daniel's big-hearted commitment will encourage others to follow his lead and also become a Friend of Get Connected to help us make a difference to thousands more young people."

If you're up to the challenge of running to raise funds for young people in crisis, sign up for either the 5K London run on 10th May here , or the British 10K London run on 12th July here .  

The young winners of the Nobody's Perfect competition were celebrating with celebrity judges Sandi Thom, Georgia Groome and JJ Feild last night at the Odeon Covent Garden.

Over 200 of Get Connected's supporters joined us on Monday 13th October to watch and listen to some brilliant stand-up comedy and raise funds for the future.  

Award-winning British comedy hero Richard Herring compered a night at famed venue The Comedy Store, in Central London.  Fresh back from Edinburgh and bursting with new material, comedy greats Jo Caulfield, Paul Sinha, Terry Saunders and Pappy’s Fun Club kindly donated their time to perform in support of Get Connected.  The elusive, marvellous Daniel Kitson even made a surprise appearance. 

We've had wonderful feedback from the night, and have raised a cool £3,240 for vulnerable young people.  Read more about it here.  

Get Connected is looking for new individual and organisational members, who share our interest in the welfare of young people. 

Our membership comprises individuals and organisations who have an interest in young people's physical and emotional welfare. Each member is entitled to attend our AGM and vote on constitutional issues, as well as electing Trustees to the Executive Committee. We keep members updated via our seasonal newsletter, and aim to work together on mutual challenges wherever possible. 

Would you like to join us? 

Young people's helpline Get Connected has launched a competition for young people to make short films about the issues that concern them, including bullying, sexuality and relationships.