The Independent launches SafeCall campaign to help reach every missing child
Every year, thousands of vulnerable young people struggle to be seen, heard and protected. They feel invisible; They are at risk of harm, exploitation and homelessness.
Behind every loss are families and loved ones living in fear and uncertainty, half a million people searching and waiting for news in a hidden crisis that requires urgent intervention.
It is reported that a child goes missing every two and a half minutes in the UK. Young people are most likely to get lost; 61 percent of all incidents recorded by police are among 12 to 17 year olds. Many say there are still no services available to meet their needs, leaving them alone just when they need help most.
For this reason Independent The UK’s only charity dedicated to reuniting missing people with their loved ones is joining forces with Missing People to launch a new service that will give children in crisis a lifeline. Co-designed and piloted by young people themselves, SafeCall will deliver the support, security and connection they need.
Independent’s The aim is to raise £165,000 to help fund this new, free service so the 70,000 children reported missing each year can be found safe no matter what. The charity currently reaches a quarter of these children, and with your support SafeCall will reach many more.
donate Here or text SAFE to 70577 to donate £10 to Missing People, enough for one child to get help.
Actor, author and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of Childline, are among the leading voices supporting the campaign. Independent‘ call and urges readers to support the cause.
Among those who know its value firsthand is 23-year-old Jade Knight, who got lost more than 50 times in her childhood and, in her words, “feels lost in the world.” Missing People, he says, “saved my life.”
“There were times when conversations with the Missing People charity really helped me come back,” he said. “They would make me feel safe enough and give me the space to talk about the things I needed to talk about.”
He believes SafeCall will change the lives of young people who need help. “This is a problem we need to solve now, because every time these children go missing, it doesn’t matter if it’s the first or the fiftieth; they face the same risk every time.”
SafeCall will ensure that lost children can be reached in the way that is safest for them, with anonymity guaranteed and dedicated support available at any time. The new service will expand Missing People’s reach through a dedicated helpline, a WhatsApp channel, a 24-hour chatbot and a redesigned website offering advice for young people.
It is expected to cost £625,000 to get SafeCall up and running for a year. Just £10 can help a lost child find somewhere safe to go; £30 can provide overnight advice and guidance; and £100 could fund a helpline replacement and ensure trained staff are there when a young person needs to get in touch.
Ms Knight now works as an ambassador for Missing People and is determined to prevent others from going through what she did.
In a direct message to young people, he said: “To anyone who feels like they want to disappear, please know that there is support out there for you. Just because you feel this way now doesn’t mean you’ll feel this way forever. Things can change and you have that power.”
“And who knows, in six months you might be where I am, telling your story of hope and helping others who haven’t yet found their way.”
The campaign isn’t just about launching a new service, it’s also about raising awareness, sparking debate and pressing for change on a widespread but under-prioritised issue.
Nerissa Tivy’s son, Alexander Sloley, disappeared in August 2008 when he was only 16 years old. Alex, now 34, disappeared from a friend’s house in Islington, north London, without his wallet, spare clothes or money.
“It’s too heavy,” said Miss Tivy Independent. “It’s not something that ever goes away. It’s always there. Every day is hard. There’s no specific day. At one point, I had so much stress that I was in pain all the time. I learned that if you have stress, your body accommodates it.”
Around 900 people, including around 600 children, are reported missing every day in the UK. According to the latest figures from the National Crime Agency, 160,000 people were reported missing in nearly 330,000 incidents in 2023-24. Of these, 72,000 were children who disappeared in almost 210,000 separate incidents, highlighting how often young people disappear more than once.
More than 430,000 people are affected by the disappearance of a child each year, and on average one missing child dies every week.
Dame Esther said: “Many young people experiencing exploitation do not feel they can ask for help and be listened to at a time when they are afraid, alone and vulnerable. This new service means there is finally a way for them to seek help with confidence and hope. Being lost is a crisis; it is a crucial moment to intervene and help on young people’s terms.”
Sir Stephen, one of Missing People’s patrons, said: “Together we will raise vital funds to create and launch a cutting-edge service fit for our time. SafeCall will be designed by young people to be fully informed, tailored to their needs. Please join me in supporting this important campaign.”
Jo Youle, chief executive of Missing People, said: “Children facing harm or abuse often feel invisible. SafeCall will be shaped by their voices, offering a safe, confidential space where they are heard, supported and protected. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, this new service has been designed by young people to address the challenges they face today. Together we are building a legacy of care, protection and hope. Together we will change young lives.”
Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief IndependentHe said: “I’m incredibly proud to launch this campaign with Missing People. With the help of our readers and supporters we can make a real difference to tackling the crisis of missing children in this country.”
From this year’s Christmas campaign Independent It follows the stunning success of its Brick By Brick partnership with Refuge in 2024, which raised more than £585,000 for women and children fleeing domestic violence and funded two new safe homes for them.
Please donate now to the SafeCall campaign launched by The Independent and the charity Missing People to help raise £165,000 to create a free service to help find new, safe futures for vulnerable children.
If you or a loved one is lost, text Missing People or call 116 000 for advice, support and options. It’s free, confidential and non-judgmental. Or visit: misspeople.org.uk/get-help
