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Get Connected launches text service

Text messages help young people in need: unique new service

The national helpline Get Connected today launched a unique text messaging service offering help to young people. The charity, which finds its users the best help available in the UK, whatever the problem, can now send information to young people via their mobile.

Justin Irwin, Director of the Charity said:

“It’s such an straightforward idea. Get Connected is best known for connecting young people through to other services. Actually, we give out information about services more than twice as often as connecting people there and then - information about places that may be engaged, have limited opening hours, or are places you visit, such as day centres or counselling.

“If you’ve just been kicked out of home, or run away, there’s a good chance you won’t be carrying a pen. Sending information via sms is not only a practical solution to this problem, but it also ensures our users can either use the information immediately, or store it in their phone for future use – which of course keeps it private.”

“Many young people, especially boys and young men, can find it difficult to ask for help by conventional means, such as from their parents or friends, or a teacher. More than 1 billion text message are sent every month in the UK, with under sixteen year olds alone sending 9 million every day. SMS is the preferred way of communicating amongst our target audience.  The young people we’ve spoken to think receiving help by text message is a fantastic idea.”

Over 20% of calls to Get Connected are from mobile telephones. Young people increasingly rely on their mobile phone to serve as an address book, a diary, and a memo pad.

Get Connected was contacted by 10,323 young people in 2001, compared to 6,000 in 2000 and 1,000 in its first year. It is hoped that this innovative service will be of significant use to young people in need, as well as further establishing Get Connected as a helpline that young people find approachable, professional and contemporary.

The new service is both funded and technically supported by The Carphone Warehouse, the major supporter of Get Connected, and will be operational from 1pm on Wednesday 6^th February.

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PLEASE PUBLICISE THE HELPLINE NUMBER – 0808 808 4994

Notes to editors:

1. The vision of Get Connected is that every young person in the UK can find the help they need to support their physical and emotional well-being. Launched in February 1999, as part of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, Get Connected became an independent charity in August 2000, and began a unique partnership with The Carphone Warehouse in September 2001.
2. Get Connected helpline is open from 1pm – 11pm 365 days a year, and is staffed by approximately 50 volunteers, two-thirds of whom are under 30.
3. In January 2002 224 connections were made to other agencies; information about available services was given out an additional 535 times
4. Text messages are sent to young people who have called the helpline, and who are happy to give out their mobile number. Get Connected helpline workers do not have access to the callers’ number. All details of numbers given are destroyed. The service is one-way, so it is not currently possible to send a text message to Get Connected
5. Statistics concerning mobile ownership and use of sms come from NOP Research
6. Available for interview: Justin Irwin, Director, Get Connected, 020 8896 4774,