Home : Press : Press Releases : Get Connected's busiest year so far

Get Connected's busiest year so far

Finding 12,000 young people help in 2002

2002 was Get Connected’s busiest year to date, with over 12,000 different young people contacting the helpline.  Connections were made to over 600 different organisations, and information about available services was given out to callers on 8,711 occasions.

Young people were most likely to call the helpline about housing and relationships, although one fifth of male callers wanted help with sexuality.  For young women, the most prevalent subject matter was relationship issues.  90% of calls from young people about bullying were from under 16 year olds, although this age group was most likely to phone about their relationships, with friends or families. 

One third of all callers were between the ages of 13 and 15, and another quarter were either 16 or 17. During 2002 there were roughly 900 calls from adults worried about a young person. Of the young people who called, 20% had run away, been kicked out, were staying with friends or relatives, or were living rough. One quarter of service users were from London, another quarter from the North of England, 9% were from Scotland, 4% Wales and 2% Northern Ireland.

A full summary of statistics for 2002 is available at www.getconnected.org.uk

- ends -

Notes to editors:

1. Get Connected is a unique helpline finding young people the best help whatever their problem. This can range from national telephone helplines to local advice centres. Staffed by volunteers, the helpline can either provide a free connection directly to a third party, give callers relevant information to use when they wish, or text them details directly to their mobile phone
2. Get Connected helpline is open from 1pm – 11pm 365 days a year
3. Figures are based on data collected by helpline workers from calls received to Get Connected helpline during 2002. All data collected is anonymous