Royals

Kate Middleton Launches New Helpline as She Focuses on the Everyday 'Monsters' Families Face

The new helpline will be available to support struggling parents and caregivers

Published on January 22, 2019 07:27 AM

Kate Middleton took another public step forward in her plan to help vulnerable kids and families.

The royal mom of three launched a new U.K. support line when she visited a charity that is central to her mission to aid kids from the earliest opportunity.

Kate visited Family Action in London Tuesday to meet families and volunteers on the new FamilyLine service. She arrived in a belted green dress with button details down the skirt by Beulah and her hair in her signature bouncy blowout, completing the look with green heels and a matching clutch as well as green amethyst drop earrings by Kiki McDonough.

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Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visits Family Action, Lewisham, London, UK - 22 Jan 2019 — Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock

She also viewed the “Family Monsters” campaign film that was produced to mark Family Action’s 150th anniversary. The campaign highlights the hidden “monsters” that many families face, including debt, addiction, lack of time together, relationship issues and mental health issues.

In November, Kate visited University College London, where she toured a neuroscience research unit to understand how science can help frame the approach to early years. Eamon McCrory, co-director of the Developmental Risk and Resilience Unit, praised her “extraordinary” level of interest.

Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visit to Family Action, Lewisham, London, UK - 22 Jan 2019 — Kate Middleton. REX/Shutterstock

Last year, Kate, 37, quietly brought together practitioners and academics from the worlds of neuroscience, mental health, nursing, perinatal care and education to form a new steering group. They have met several times behind the scenes to discuss 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 infancy.

Her hope for early intervention to help youngsters has been at the heart of Kate’s work on addiction, mental health and young people’s well-being.

Family Action works directly with vulnerable children and families through some 150 local and national services, as well as supporting professionals and organizations through training and consultancy. Their new FamilyLine uses a network of volunteers from across the country to support parents and caregivers virtually through telephone calls, email and text messaging.

Meanwhile, husband Prince William is in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum. He will take part in a conversation with English broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough on Tuesday before joining a group of panelists, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, discussion on mental health Wednesday.