Society newsletter: September 2026
Every day, supporters like you help create safety, support and hope for young people facing life’s toughest challenges.
Because of you, more young people experienced moments like these: Having someone to talk to; Growing in confidence about their future; Support after experiencing online grooming; New ways to express what they’re feeling.
Raising the alarm to Save Teenhood
Raising the alarm to Save Teenhood
Teenhood is a crucial stage of life. It connects childhood to adulthood, shaping who we become through the experiences, opportunities and support we have along the way.
It can be a fantastic time — but it can also be a perilous one, filled with overwhelm and uncertainty. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the nature of the challenges teens face today. The pressures — and threats — affecting young people have evolved faster than the world around them has evolved to protect them.
Across the country, teens are being let down by failing systems, are trapped in poverty, and face abuse on and offline. That’s not right. And it’s why we’re doing something about it.
Everyday, we hear what it's like for young people growing up. They tell us teenhood is like …
“being awake during surgery.”
“a game of dodgeball with no referees and no rest and no breaks.”
"being a sailor lost in a storm with no compass.”
“pushing a boulder up a hill that gets steeper … but has better views.”
Save Teenhood
Every teen should be able to access support as soon as they need it. That’s why we plan to open more dropin centres, creating lasting support for young people, while continuing to campaign with and for teenagers to build a future we can all be proud to be part of.
As a valued supporter of The Children’s Society who has already done so much for young people, we’re inviting you to be part of the movement to Save Teenhood too. There has never been a more critical time to act.
If it wasn’t for The Children’s Society, I don’t know where I would be.
- Mabel
Young people’s voices and experiences have long shaped everything we do at The Children’s Society — and Save Teenhood is no different. We’ve listened deeply to what teenagers tell us about the issues affecting their lives, and we see those experiences reflected every day through our services and research, including our Good Childhood Report.
Every policymaker, every service provider and every household has a role to play in ensuring safe passage from childhood to adulthood. Young people deserve not only protection during this uniquely important stage of life, but the chance to enjoy it too. Because all of our futures depend on it.
Right now, and for as long as it takes, we’re raising the alarm to Save Teenhood. We hope you’ll stand with us.
The Children’s Society has changed my life for the good. Now each time I come, my heart starts warming up with the love and support.
- Mabel
Be a guiding light for teens
Be a guiding light for teens
June* was one of the teens who helped to develop our Save Teenhood campaign.
Here, he tells us why teenhood, why The Children’s Society, and why now?
"Teenhood is like being a sailor lost in a storm with no compass, trying to look for a light that you don’t even know exists. It’s not asking adults to be your compass, because they can lead you in the wrong direction, but asking them to be a light that guides you to shore.
June
Navigating through teenage life is very difficult, especially with the pressure of social media, career choices, physical appearance and so much more.
It’s always changing. Always adapting to keep up.
Adults say, ‘I was a teenager once’, and I get that. But you’re not one now. Our journey is very different. The Children’s Society has so many different ports and bays that I can dock at, and they have given me so many different opportunities to better myself and my mental health, and to allow me to meet amazing new people and have these amazing opportunities. It’s not just coming back to the same port or bay; it’s very different each time. I think that’s beautiful."
Creating Save Teenhood
We all have a different and valid perspective on how we want to be supported. We want to be heard and taken seriously.
At the creative workshop for the campaign, we were all from different walks of life, working on and caring about the same thing. It was important to share our voices in what teenhood means to us.
We had creative freedom of what we think would be best for the Save Teenhood campaign. We talked about what it’s like – the positives and challenges – and our metaphors, like mine at the start of this article, have inspired the creative side of the campaign.
Why I support The Children’s Society
Why I support The Children’s Society
Our ambassadors help raise awareness of the challenges facing teens and champion the support we provide that can change lives.
Here, actress and writer Kellie Shirley shares why The Children’s Society’s work matters to her.
"As a mum of three, I know how important it is for children and teens to feel safe, supported and listened to. That’s why I’m proud to be an ambassador for The Children’s Society.
Kellie Shirley
Like many parents, I’m concerned about the challenges young people face today, particularly around abuse, mental health, and wellbeing. Every young person deserves someone in their corner when things get tough, and that’s exactly what The Children’s Society provides.
Earlier in the year, I had the opportunity to visit The Children’s Society’s beautiful Chelsea Flower Show garden. It was a wonderful space, but it also highlighted something really important: how much safe, supportive environments can mean to a young person who is struggling.
Seeing the work of The Children’s Society up close reminded me just how vital their support is. Every day, they help children and teens facing some incredibly difficult circumstances, offering practical help, advice and hope for the future.
At a time when so many young people need support, I’m proud to stand alongside The Children’s Society and everyone who makes this work possible.
The Children’s Society’s work providing vital support, advice and hope is more important than ever.
Thank you for helping to ensure children and teens have somewhere to turn when they need it most.
- Kellie Shirley, Actress, writer, and ambassador for The Children’s Society
Finding joy again in teenhood
Finding joy again in teenhood
Being a teenager is hard. But add to that friends that become bullies and a school that doesn’t support you and things can start to feel impossible.
That’s what being a teenager was like for Sam. “I couldn’t trust my friends because they’d gang up on me and single me out, trying to fight me. … It wasn’t bullying; it was torture,” he says, adding, “I was in a relationship that was taking everything out of me. It started to make me really depressed.”
Even though Sam’s parents reported the bullying to his school, they felt ignored too, and nothing changed. “I feel like schools don’t care about people,” Sam says. “They only care about their reputation.”
Sam
Teachers never got me, and it got to the point where I just thought, ‘I’m giving up’.
- Sam
Eventually, things got so bad that Sam said that he wanted to end his life, and his desperately worried parents took him to hospital to keep him safe.
That’s where things started to look up. The hospital referred Sam to one of our specialist services where he met Nasrin, a project worker. “I remember the first time I met Sam,” Nasrin says. “You could see from the beginning that he felt so hopeless … that he just felt trapped and was wanting a way out.”
Sam and Nasrin would talk together and he learnt how to challenge overpowering thoughts and find joyful things in his life again.
Nasrin also suggested he go to one of our youth groups.
“You could start to see a little flicker of hope in him,” she says. “There were new peers, there was a purpose for him, something for him to do and take his mind off the school environment and everything that happened there.”
Now, Sam is feeling much more hopeful. He might still have bad days but there are good ones as well, and he’s looking forward to college and the future.
If I didn’t get that support, I wouldn’t be here.
- Sam
But things should never have gotten as bad as they did for Sam. It’s why we urgently need more safe spaces for teens – like our drop-in services – where they can get the help they need before they reach crisis point.
Sam’s story is true, but names and identifying details have been changed to protect identities. Photographs have been posed by actors.
From show garden to support space
In May this year, we took our place at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show to shine a light on the growing crisis in teen wellbeing across the UK.
Co-created with Young Creative Partners, the garden used reclaimed materials and the philosophy of wabi-sabi – celebrating the beauty found in imperfection – to reflect the strength young people show as they navigate today’s challenges.
The Children’s Society Garden was awarded a Gold Medal and was Highly Commended in the RHS Environmental Innovation Award category.
This unique opportunity helped raise awareness of the challenges teens are facing – which distressingly make them the unhappiest in Europe – and to share the crucial message that early support can change lives.
The crisis in teen wellbeing will not disappear overnight. Neither will we. We are working to Save Teenhood – and we will do it, whatever it takes.
Thanks to hard work from The Children’s Society team members, partners, and volunteers in relocating the garden, it’s now proudly our first permanent outdoor wellbeing space for young people at the Central Bedfordshire Council’s Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre, where The Children’s Society Youth Club is based.
Here, teens can spend time in quiet reflection, connect with themselves and each other, and seek support in a relaxed environment that encourages them to open up.
From show garden to support space
A day to remember
Fresh from winning our competition in February’s edition of Society, The Children’s Society supporter Sara Leask headed to the Chelsea Flower Show for a day among the gardens with her husband, Bill.
"Thank you for the wonderful day we had on Saturday. The Children’s Society Garden was amazing and gave a very different insight. [The] passion for what you do came across so clearly." - Sara
Not your average festival
There’s so much about being a teen that’s hard – even more so when you’re a young carer. Looking after a friend or family member is a lot of extra responsibility, and often means that things like school and hanging out with friends just aren’t possible.
But the Young Carers Festival? That’s pure fun. And it’s your support that helps make it happen.
Every summer, hundreds of young carers get together for a weekend of friendship, camping, dancing, crafting, singing … the list goes on. It’s time away from their responsibilities, time to focus on them. It’s somewhere they can be with other teens that get what it’s like.
“It’s basically the best weekend ever,” says Anya from our Youth Voice Team (and she should know: she’s planned nine of them and seen all the joy it brings).
The festival is always such a positive celebration of young carers and an opportunity to recognise the phenomenal contribution they make.
- Linda, Young Carers Programme Manager
The festival is also a chance for young carers to have their say and influence change – not something teens often get.
“Young people have told us that it really helps them to have their voices heard and not feel judged,” says Anya, who’s managed the Voice Zone tent for a few years now. “They feel like they can 100% be themselves in that space.”
“The Young Carers Festival is so, so important,” she adds. “We often see young people coming back year after year and then they come back and volunteer. I think this speaks volumes about how impactful the festival can be.”
Celebrating teen leaders
Celia Hensman was an incredible supporter of The Children’s Society’s work across seven decades. She was a dedicated donor, fundraiser, trustee, and advocate, and when she died, she left a large legacy in her will. Mark Russell, our CEO, met with her niece, Davina, to say a personal thank you for Celia’s incredible generosity, and proposed we keep Celia’s name alive by creating the Celia Hensman Award.
Celia was passionate about young people who show leadership potential, and so this award – now in its third year – honours some amazing teens who step up as leaders. Through their kindness, their support for others, using their voice to fight for change, and leading those around them, these young people make a massive difference.
The positive role model
John is 16. He came to us for one‑to‑one support, then stayed on as a volunteer to create a new group for other teens. He keeps the group focused, contributes ideas, and leads conversations with confidence. He also makes sure that other young people feel heard.
His commitment, organisation and understanding make him a positive role model.
The young leader
Lily is a 14-year-old young carer. Her award celebrates her remarkable resilience, leadership, and compassion. She leads by example in her young carers group, welcoming new members, encouraging open conversation, and reducing stigma around mental health.
Her warmth, humour and empathy create a safe, inclusive space, making her an inspiring leader to all.
The youth voice champion
Anna is 19. Since first working with The Children’s Society in 2021, she has rarely missed an opportunity to have her voice heard and make a difference to the world around her.
Reliable, inclusive and empathetic, she supports other teens, welcomes newcomers and champions fairness. Her dedication continues to inspire.
Decades of dedication
Decades of dedication
This year, two of our fundraising committee chairpeople are stepping down after decades of service. To celebrate their incredible support, we’re making them Honorary Lifetime Members.
Rosemary Sweet has chaired the Chigwell Committee for over 30 years. Together, the committee has raised £221,079 for The Children’s Society through events like tea parties and bridge games. Committee members are now retiring and celebrated their final hurrah with a quiz night.
Dedication
Diana Snagge has been chair of the Winchester Committee since 1996. They’re well-known for their events, from literary lunches to Christmas chalet markets and summer garden parties. Since the committee began, they’ve raised £451,573.
A huge thank you, Rosemary and Diana, for all that you’ve done for The Children’s Society.
What does it mean to be Honorary Lifetime Member?
Becoming an Honorary Lifetime Member is a very special way for The Children’s Society to recognise people who have made an extraordinary contribution to our work supporting young people. It’s only awarded occasionally to a small number of people whose commitment and dedication have made a lasting difference to children’s lives.
This honour is our heartfelt way of celebrating the exceptional generosity and service of people like Rosemary and Diana, whose decades of dedication have helped transform the lives of young people across the country.
Make a donation
You can give a young person a brighter future
Right now, there are children suffering through abuse, exploitation and neglect. Together, we can change this. Your kindness today could fund a support worker, counselling or much-needed legal advice, and give a child hope.
