How to Ask a Grown-Up for Help
Practical, reassuring advice for children on how to talk to a trusted adult when they need help.
You deserve help — keep asking until someone listens.
Asking for help can feel scary sometimes. You might worry about getting into trouble, not being believed, or not finding the right words. But grown-ups want to help, and this page gives you ideas for how to start that conversation.
Choose Who to Tell
Think about the grown-ups in your life who make you feel safe. This could be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, school nurse or a friend's parent. Pick someone you trust — someone who listens to you and takes your feelings seriously. You can also call Childline on 0800 1111 if you want to talk to someone you do not know.
How to Start the Conversation
Finding the right words can be hard. Here are some things you could say: 'Can I talk to you about something important?' or 'Something happened online and I need help' or 'I saw something that upset me and I do not know what to do.' You do not have to explain everything perfectly. Just getting the first sentence out is the hardest part.
What If They Do Not Listen?
Sometimes the first person you tell might be busy, might not understand, or might not react the way you hoped. That does not mean what happened to you does not matter. Tell someone else. Keep telling until someone helps. There is always someone who will listen — whether it is a teacher, another relative, or Childline. You deserve to be heard.
If you ever need someone to talk to, you can call Childline for free on 0800 1111.
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Last reviewed: 2026-03-29