WORKING for a children’s charity at Christmas is about as tough as it gets.

Volunteers for Childline, based in the east end of Glasgow, have to deal with every sort of issue which young people might face during the charity’s 12 days of Christmas campaign.

Laura Jukes, 21, a counsellor, studying a BSc in Psychology, has learned a lot since she started volunteering almost two years ago.

Her friends might be out partying and getting into the Christmas spirit, but she and her fellow volunteers deal with a diverse range of poignant subjects which can have devastating effects on young people’s lives.

She said: “We receive calls for various reasons. They can be about domestic abuse or family problems.

“Christmas can be a very difficult time for many children and young people for numerous reasons.

“Some children may not have a family to spend Christmas with or there may be problems going on at home or it may be that a child is struggling with the loss of a loved one.

“Christmas is also often associated with food which can be difficult for those struggling with eating disorders.

“Alcohol is often involved in Christmas as well which can be difficult for those who have a family member or a family friend who is a problem drinker and or who may become abusive.”

On a typical shift she or her colleagues could handle as many as 10 calls or as little as one who wants to confide in someone and talk anonymously.

Although Childline traditionally dealt with calls to its helpline, increasingly volunteers spend more time online dealing with emails from children.

A recent addition is also the increasing number of direct messages it receives through mobile platforms such as WhatsApp?

Kirsten Watt, 24, who has volunteered for a year, studied an MA in Psychology, but feels she has learned more volunteering.

She said: “In a sense I’ve learned more in a year at Childline than studying for five years. It’s so different in the real world and can be so rewarding.

“Sometimes the first time someone calls they are a bit reserved, but they start to open up if you give them your name.

“Bullying is a big one and mental health, but it can also be more about low self-esteem. Often they just want to vent for 10 minutes.”

Last year the Glasgow base carried out 1,048 counselling sessions from calls, emails and apps during its 12 days of Christmas UK campaign between December 24, 2017 and January 4, 2018.

At the moment, the service can answer only three out of four contacts from children and young people who get in touch because it is short of volunteers.

It needs 255 people, but at the moment has only 170 answering calls and emails.

There are occasions where emergency services have to be contacted if the child is in danger but usually this is done with the child’s consent so trust can be maintained.

Jayne Laidlaw, Childline manager from the Glasgow base added: “Sometimes you hear people near a railway track and it’s clear they might be in danger.

“If you thought they were in immediate danger you would contact the police, but we do try to get their consent first.”

Volunteers receive training to provide them with the skills and knowledge to help children with their problems and provide emotional support at a lonely or intense time of year.

She added: “Our dedicated Childline volunteer counsellors are there day and night to listen to children throughout Christmas and into the New Year providing a vital lifeline to those without anywhere else to turn.”