NSPCC offers Asian language support 24 hours a day

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Asian callers can now speak to an NSPCC Helpline practitioner in their preferred language 24 hours a day, the children’s charity announced today (Monday 25 October 2010).

The NSPCC previously operated a separate Asian Helpline from 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

NSPCC Helpline manager Saleha Islam said: “Ensuring that all communities across the UK can contact the NSPCC Helpline is a top priority for us. Asian callers told us that what they valued most was being able to speak in their first or preferred language and to someone who has the cultural understanding of how children are cared for in Asian families”.

Last year the NSPCC Helpline received over 800 calls and emails from people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or other Asian ethnicity who were concerned about a child.

Ms Islam continued: “We hope that more Asian people will feel comfortable using the Helpline now that we offer callers the opportunity to speak to a practitioner in an Asian language 24 hours a day. We envisage, with this improvement to our service, adults from the Asian community will come forward to seek advice and assistance with their concerns.”

There is now one Helpline number 0808 800 5000, and one email address help@nspcc.org.uk, for all communities across the UK to seek advice or report concerns about a child.