Today, the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, was back to royal duties. She visited Family Action in Lewisham in London to launch FamilyLine, a free national confidential helpline that is designed to support parents and carers. Through this helpline, users will be able to speak with a charity volunteer, who will listen to their problems, answer particular parenting questions or help with guidance around more complex issues. About the visit palace said,
“The campaign highlights the hidden ‘monsters’ that many families face, such as debt, addiction, lack of time together, relationship issues and mental health issues. very family faces pressures from time to time, and Family Action is drawing attention to the fact that if we don’t acknowledge them and talk about them, these family monsters can get bigger and become overwhelming.”
The Duchess’ visit furthered her work in supporting children from their earliest years. Catherine is currently driving a research project to establish what more can be done in across the UK to give children their best possible start in life.
In March 2018, The Duchess announced during a symposium at the Royal Society for Medicine that she has convened a steering group to look at what can be done to make a positive difference to the lives of children, by focusing on their earliest stage of life, from pre-birth to 5 years of age. The steering group’s recommendations, on behalf of The Duchess, will form the basis of The Royal Foundation’s strategy for developing her work in this area in years to come. The Chief Executive of Family Action, David Holmes, CBE, is also a member of the steering group on early years convened by the Duchess of Cambridge. David Holmes was the host of today’s visit.
Family Action is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. The charity works directly with vulnerable children and families through 150 local and national services, as well as supporting professionals and organisations through training and consultancy.
Talking about everyday family pressures is the focus of our 150th anniversary campaign –the Family Monsters Project. Family Action is launching the Family Monsters Project, to start a national conversation about the pressures on every family and how they can face them together. The object of the project is to encourage people to get involved, join the conversation and share their own family monsters. A short film has been made by Family Action to help others talk about and deal with the challenges all families face. Learn more about the project Here on Family Action.
FamilyLine has been set up for any family member who is struggling with any aspect of family life, such as parenting challenges, family conflict, relationship difficulties or mental health and well being. The service aims to provide both immediate and long-term support, practical information and guidance, or help with accessing relevant services.
Research Family Action commissioned found one in three people (32%) want to talk to someone about money, health, or relationships issues. However, things get in the way of asking for help, such as being unsure who to ask (14%), thinking their family should be able to overcome pressures without external support (13%), or feeling other people need more support than them (12%).
FamilyLine – a free helpline, is open weekday evenings and weekend mornings, and is all accessible via telephone, text message or email. Calls, text messages or emails, are answered quickly and in confidence, by a team of trained volunteers under the supervision of Family Action’s experts.
During the visit, Catherine met with some of the FamilyLine team, as well as some families and young carers who’ve been supported by Family Action’s young carers services. She discussed their experiences. How with the right support, Young Carers can have the opportunity to think about & focus on their own wellbeing, childhood & future as well as the members of their family they help care for.
She also met the volunteers who are supporting the Family Line Service and view the Family Monsters Campaign Film produced to mark Family Action’s 150th anniversary. She listened to an expert coaching session for the new FamilyLine, which was focused on perinatal mental health and asked volunteers about their training.
Before leaving, Duchess received a posy from 13-year-old Helena, who is a young carer for her mother.
For the day, Duchess of Cambridge was looking regal in a bottle green dress from British Label Beulah London. Beulah London is an ethical fashion label which supports sex trafficking victims in India and Bangladesh.
Catherine was wearing green version of label’s Yahvi Midi dress. Huge Thanks to HRHDuchesskate for getting the confirmation from the label. Crafted from 100% wool crepe, the dress is described by the label as, “This tailored crepe below-the-knee dress has a slim fitting sleeve adorned with covered buttons, with a fluted frill cuff detail. Fitted at the waist with a full midi length skirt, this dark green dress has covered button detailing to the side with a split opening that falls just above the knee”.
The dress was originally from label’s 2018 Autumn Winter Collection and features a round neckline with pleated detailing, fluted sleeves and a floaty skirt with slit on side along with buttons. Duchess has the sleeves and slit at the skirt modified. The green version is available for pre-order on the website.
The £550.00 dress is also available in pink, Navy and Floral hues.
Catherine topped the dress with a leather croc-embossed belt we first saw in 2014 at St. Patrick’s Day Parade that is still unidentified.
Duchess paired her dress with Gianvito Rossi Suede Gianvito 85 Pumps in Darke Olive that she first wore during her visit to Cyprus in December 2018.
She carried LK Bennett Dora clutch also premiered during Cyprus visit in 2018.
Kiki McDonough Amethyst Cushion & Diamond Earrings finished her look of the day.
