We are saddened by the death of Dame Esther Rantzen, whose work helped bring conversations about children’s wellbeing, mental health and difficult social issues into the public eye.

Esther was a former Vice-President of BACP and a trained volunteer counsellor herself. She was a fierce advocate for children and young people, best known for founding Childline and creating a confidential service where children could seek help about abuse, distress and other problems affecting their lives.

She founded Childline in 1986 after an episode of That’s Life! about child abuse prompted an unprecedented response from children and adults.

Today, Childline’s trained counsellors provide children and young people with a confidential space to talk about whatever is troubling them. More than six million children have received support since the service was founded.

Esther’s connection with the counselling community continued into later years. In 2017, she was a keynote speaker at a conference exploring the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people, alongside then BACP Chair Dr Andrew Reeves.

Esther also founded The Silver Line in 2012, a free helpline providing support and friendship to older people experiencing loneliness and isolation.

Dr Phil James, CEO, said:

“Esther understood the difference it can make when someone has a safe place to talk and someone who will listen. Her work with Childline made a lasting contribution to the way we support children and young people, and we’re proud of her connection with BACP and the counselling profession.”

Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.