Freephone helpline for stressed families to be launched

A national freephone helpline for people in stressed-out families who feel they have no one else to talk to is to be unveiled by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Aimed at people struggling with issues including family rows, money worries, new parenthood and relationship difficulties, Family Line will be launched on Tuesday by the duchess, who is focusing her charity work on early intervention in domestic problems, including supporting people who are about to start family life.

The line will be open every weekday evening from 6pm to 10pm and at weekends from 10am to 1pm. Its launch follows research suggesting one-third of people in families want someone to talk to about their problems as social isolation grows.

The service joins other free helplines such as Childline, which was founded by Esther Rantzen 33 years ago, and Samaritans, which provides support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.

David Holmes, the chief executive of Family Action, the charity that is running the helpline, said: '“We want to help families face their pressures together.

“Usually, simply talking will get everyday family monsters out in the open and that will usually be enough to stop them becoming overwhelming. But when talking to family or friends is not enough, families can now call Family Line.”

A pilot showed people most wanted practical advice and emotional support, often about parenting. Paid staff and volunteers make up a “battalion of people with good experience of life” taking calls and responding to texts and emails, said Holmes.

The charity produced a video launching the idea of “family monsters”, which shows a teenage son emptying a half-bottle of spirit down the sink while a parent sleeps off the effects on the sofa, and a young mother holding her head in despair as her newborn does not stop crying.

Family Action was established 150 years ago by the social reformers Octavia Hill, William Gladstone and John Ruskin, and this month carried out research to determine the main pressures facing families today.

The top five were money (52%), health and wellness (50%), lack of time together (49%), pressure from work or education (40%) and family relationships (37%). Lack of communication (19%) and arguments, feuds or disputes (16%) were the most common relationship problems reported.

The number will be 0808 802 6666; people can text for help to 07537 404 282 or email familyline@family-action.org.uk.