Duchess of Cambridge visits Lewisham charity Family Action to launch confidential helpline for families in need
The Duchess of Cambridge today launched a new confidential helpline for families in need as part of a visit to a charity supporting parents and their children.
Kate stunned in a forest green dress by London brand Beulah and matching shoes as she arrived to meet volunteers and families at Family Action in Lewisham on Tuesday.
The south London charity has set up FamilyLine for anyone struggling with aspects of family life, from parenting and relationship difficulties to mental health and wellbeing.
The service aims to provide both immediate and long-term support, practical information and guidance, or help with accessing relevant services.
Family Action is this year celebrating 150 years of working to help vulnerable people, and today it supports about 45,000 families every year in Britain through 150 specialist services.
The new helpline will use a network of "virtual" volunteers to support carers and parents through phone calls, emails and texts all across the UK.
Kate's visit was hosted by David Holmes, the chief executive of Family Action, who is a member of the duchess's early years steering group, which is looking at ways of improving how society supports children so they have the resilience to cope with life's pressures when adults.
During her time at the charity in Forest Hill the duchess met families supported by the organisation, spent time with some young carers and met volunteers who are supporting the new FamilyLine service.
The Duchess of Cambridge is at @family_action’s Lewisham base today to launch their new service ‘FamilyLine’ – which uses a network of volunteers from across the country to support parents & carers through
phone calls, email and texts. pic.twitter.com/2NiOe64tY1— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal)
She heard about the charity's new campaign, which urges families to talk about the challenges that many of them face - such as debt, addiction, lack of time together, relationship issues and mental health issues.
The duchess spoke to young carers about how they cope with the pressures of school and caring for their families.
She was also set to view the Family Monsters campaign film that has been produced to mark Family Action's 150th anniversary.
The campaign highlights the hidden monsters that many families face, such as debt, addiction, lack of time together, relationship issues and mental health issues.
Additional reporting by Press Association.