Helpline Goes 24 Hours
Bushcraft expert Andrew Price (who hosts the popular A-Z Of Bushcraft & Survival series of videos) joined the Deputy Minister For Children, Huw Lewis AM, in officially launching the 24-hour Meic service on Wednesday 26 January at the Millennium Stadium.
Over 4000 children and young people throughout Wales have contacted the Meic helpline since it was launched in May 2010.
Due to this success, the service has been extended, with the opening hours increased to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The service will continue to provide a single point of contact via telephone, text or instant messaging for comprehensive information, and will signpost to other services and provide access to independent professional advocates as and when required.
Sian Pitman, Project Manager for Meic, said: "Since 26 January Meic is now open 24 hours every day. This is a great development and has happened because children and young people have told us they want to be able to contact us whenever they need help.
"Since its launch in May, the helpline has received requests for help from over 4000 children and young people across Wales. At least a quarter of these requests have been made by text or instant message.
"Meic advisers have dealt with all sorts of queries and issues. Many of the calls received have been about getting information and support to deal with family relationships, health concerns, problems in school and friendships.
"We have also been able to help more than 40 children and young people by advocating for them - that is representing their views, wishes and feelings to adults when they feel they are not being listened to.
By providing this support Meic has helped a young person challenge a decision and be awarded a grant by her local college, helped a young person get support from their school to deal with bullying, and helped another young person have a say in who looked after him when his parents divorced."
The service is free and confidential.
Phone: 080880 23456
Text: 84001
IM / Chat: www.meiccymru.org
Email: help@meiccyrmu.org
3 Comments – Postiwch sylw
jeopreddy
Rhoddwyd sylw 64 mis yn ôl - 24th January 2011 - 16:19pm
This is BRILLIANT news! It has been really nice to see Meic grow, hehe!
Dan (Sub-Editor)
Rhoddwyd sylw 64 mis yn ôl - 31st January 2011 - 00:00am
We took a load of great photos at the launch event. I need to get them approved by the higher-ups because some of them contain young people, but as soon as they're online I'll put the link up. :)
Tom_Bevan
Rhoddwyd sylw 63 mis yn ôl - 27th February 2011 - 12:59pm
well done meic, a brilliant service for the young peeps of wales :) keep up the gwaith dda!