Dr Alex George presents our BBC Lifeline Appeal

We are excited to announce that our BBC Lifeline Appeal, presented by Dr Alex George, is now live. Lifeline is aired monthly on BBC One to highlight the work of a charity and appeal for donations. 

The film for our appeal – which runs until 29 December - will air on Sunday 8 December at 2pm on BBC One and will be repeated on Friday 13 December at 12.50pm on BBC Two. 

Dr Alex George said: 

“I’m very proud to support Anna Freud’s BBC Lifeline Appeal. As the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador, I’m dedicated to raising awareness of the issues young people are facing today and the impact on their mental health and wellbeing. This means Anna Freud’s ambition to ensure children and young people get the right support at the right time resonates deeply with me.   

“During the pandemic, I worked with this incredible charity to help schools and colleges become more mentally healthy. With requests from young people for mental health services continuing to rise, it’s more important now than ever to provide evidence-based help at the earliest possible stage. Everything Anna Freud does – from training and trauma-informed specialist support to innovative research and resources – is focused on this aim.  

“Please give your support today and help Anna Freud build better wellbeing for the next generation.” 

Kayden, Sarah and Thea's stories

Our BBC Lifeline Appeal features Kayden, Sarah and Thea who have been supported by Anna Freud and helped shape our innovative mental health care for children, young people and families.  

Their stories highlight three important areas of our work. This includes our support in schools through the Pears Family School, a unique alternative provision (AP) school founded and sponsored by Anna Freud. The appeal also spotlights the UK Trauma Council (UKTC), an Anna Freud project that exists to improve the help children and young people receive following potentially traumatic experiences, and our Young Champions programme. Our team of Young Champions work with us, alongside Parent and Carer Champions, to ensure that their experiences of mental health, and their perspectives as young people, help shape the work we do.  

Our appeal comes as one in five children and young people in England has a probable mental health disorder, and the number of children and young people in contact with mental health services has more than doubled since 2018.

We’re here to close that gap. By taking a holistic approach - led by the latest evidence and guided by lived experience – we expand our understanding, develop better care and equip all who impact children and young people’s lives with the tools to support their mental health. 

Watch our BBC Lifeline Appeal

Watch and donate to our appeal to help us provide this essential support. Your help will change children and young people’s lives across the UK.  

Plus, two long-term supporters of Anna Freud will match every pound raised by our appeal up to a maximum of £20,000. This means your donation to our appeal could have double the impact and helps us raise even more funds.  

Watch our BBC Lifeline Appeal at 2pm Sunday 8 December and donate today to help us ensure all children, young people and families get the right mental health support at the right time. 

Watch and donate to our BBC Lifeline Appeal