NEXT, a brand with a true heart for giving back, has partnered with us to create a beautiful 3-star gold tone necklace – a symbol of hope and togetherness this festive season. 

“It’s been such a privilege to work with Missing People on this special collaboration and to support their incredible Shine a Light campaign. What began as a shared desire to raise awareness and celebrate the power of hope has grown into something truly meaningful — a beautiful necklace that symbolises connection, remembrance and love.

The Shine a Light campaign was created to honour those who are missing and to remind families that they are never alone in their search. Being able to bring that message to life through this piece has been both humbling and inspiring. It has been so inspiring to learn so much about what this amazing charity does and to highlight that knowledge to our colleagues at Next.

With all profits going directly to Missing People, each necklace helps to fund their vital work — offering comfort, support and hope to those waiting for their loved ones to come home. We’re so proud to have been part of a project that shines a light on the incredible difference this charity makes every single day.”
– TOGETHER WITH NEXT team

Whether you are treating someone special, searching for the perfect stocking filler, or planning a Secret Santa gift, your purchase can make a real difference. Every necklace sold will help Missing People be there for those who are missing and the families who are left behind. 

Every 90 seconds, someone goes missing in the UK – leaving around 160,000 families facing fear, uncertainty, and heartbreak each year. Right now, people are searching for children, fearing for their safety. Searching too for mums, dads, siblings and grandparents who suddenly feel very vulnerable. 

“We are so grateful to NEXT for helping shine a light this Christmas. Each necklace sold will help us continue our vital work – ensuring that those affected by disappearance never face it alone.”
– Sam Carter, Corporate Partnerships Coordinator at Missing People

Buy the necklace

This partnership truly reflects NEXT’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities and causes that matter. Together, we can be there for those with an empty seat at the table this Christmas.  

The post NEXT Shines a Light for Missing People This Christmas appeared first on Missing People.

This campaign is seeking to raise £165,000 to launch SafeCall, a cutting-edge service to reach missing young people in need of help across the UK. This includes:

• A dedicated UK Helpline (with access to a trusted adult via chat, text and phone as well as a WhatsApp channel)
• New 24/7 Chatbot to provide guidance when the Helpline is closed
• A new website offering advice and guidance targeted at young people 
• Proactive offer of support when missing – in partnership with UK police
• Promotion of the service to reach young people where they are, including on social media channels like TikTok as well as out-of-home and billboard advertising

SafeCall has been developed with and for young people, combining the expertise of Missing People and the lived experiences of a panel of young people. These ‘Young Advisors’ have worked with Missing People at every stage of the development of SafeCall, and have co-designed, developed and piloted the service. ​SafeCall will ensure multiple ways to get in touch, assured anonymity, and more advice and information geared towards young people and delivered in the way they need it.

 “Children facing harm or exploitation often feel invisible. Safecall will be shaped by their voices—offering a safe, confidential space where they’re heard, supported, and protected. Built on over 30 years of experience, this new service is designed by young people, for the challenges they face today. We’re deeply grateful to The Independent and its readers. Your extraordinary generosity is making this vision a reality—helping us reach children trapped in exploitation and guiding them to safety. Together, we’re building a legacy of care, protection, and hope. Together, we will change young lives.”
– Jo Youle OBE, Chief Executive of Missing People

The overall aim of the SafeCall campaign is to get young, vulnerable people to safety as quickly as possible.​ Shocking statistics from Missing People show that 6 in 10 of all missing person reports are for young people in the 12-17 year old age group, while 1 in 10 children in care will go missing. Tragically, young people reported missing are at high risk of exploitation and homelessness.

This year’s Christmas campaign from The Independent follows the staggering success of 2024’s Brick By Brick partnership with Refuge, which raised over £500,000. As part of the SafeCall campaign, The Independent will be telling the stories of missing children across the UK, raising awareness of the shocking statistics around the issue, highlighting Missing People’s invaluable work, explaining why young people go missing, providing advice to families, caregivers and schools, and letting readers know what they can do to help. 

“I am so proud to launch this campaign with Missing People. At The Independent, we’re committed to making change happen and believe that the media has a critical role to play in shining a light on and helping to address the most pressing issues of our time. With the help of our readers and supporters, we can make a real difference in tackling the crisis of missing children in this country. Together we can provide resources to support the 70,000 children that go missing in the UK each year and their loved ones.”
– Geordie Greig, Editor-in-Chief of The Independent

Missing People is the only UK charity that is there for missing children, adults and their loved ones. Offering free, confidential support to anyone affected by the issue. SafeCall, which has previously been supported by funding partners including BBC Children in Need, St James’s Place Charitable Foundation, and the People’s Postcode Lottery, and pro bono support from Lippincott and Wildish & Co., will utilise this expertise and network of experienced partners and incorporate new technology that young people use and scale the impact of its existing services with a focus on missing young people. 

“So many young people who suffer exploitation don’t feel they can ask for help and be listened to, at a time when they are scared, alone and vulnerable. This new service means at last there is a way to enable them to seek help with confidence and hope. Going missing is a crisis – a crucial moment to intervene and help, on young people’s terms. It has been an honour to be by the side of Missing People and the young people they have helped during the development of this new service, over many years. I’m thrilled The Independent is supporting such an important cause.”
– Dame Esther Rantzen, Campaigner and Founder of Childline

To support the campaign, The Independent’s readers will be asked to visit the SafeCall appeal page or Text SAFE* to 70577 with donating just £10, could fund a child to access the new SafeCall service, giving them a trusted adult to talk to in complete confidence.

*T&Cs: Text costs £10 plus your network charge. Missing People (Charity No. 1020419, SC047419) receives 100% of your donation. Bill payer’s permission is required. We’ll ask for your consent preferences via text. CS: 02034047251. 

The post The Independent’s Christmas Appeal appeared first on Missing People.

Southeastern is partnering with national charity Missing People to support those in crisis on the railway this summer.

The post Southeastern partners with Missing People to protect lives on the railway appeared first on Missing People.

Last week we were able to celebrate the one-year anniversary of our partnership with Trainline at The House of Commons, shining a light on the amazing work they do to use technology for good. Over the past year, this partnership has not only raised awareness about the unfortunate prevalence of missing in the UK, but also brought hope to families across the country, reuniting 46 missing people with their loved ones.  

Following long-term corporate supporter, Hope & Glory PR, introducing Missing People to Trainline last November, Trainline has been using its technology for good. They deliver real-time, geo-targeted alerts to the public through their app, enabling their customers to access up-to-date information about missing persons in their area. 

A Campaign with a Real Impact 

The positive impact of this collaboration has been recognized industry-wide, earning the campaign media attention and an amazing 16 awards within its first year, including two at this week’s PRCA Awards. These accolades celebrate the dedication of Missing People and Trainline to creating real-world change using technology to reunite families and bring missing loved ones home. 

Reuniting Families, Restoring Hope 

We are incredibly proud of this collaboration. The story of each person found is a reminder of why this partnership matters, and for every person found, countless family members and friends are spared a moment of fear and uncertainty. As we continue into our second year, we remain committed to finding even more people, reuniting more families, and expanding our reach in communities nationwide. 

Looking Forward 

With each milestone, we are reminded of the incredible support from the public and the generosity of Trainline in helping make this vision a reality. This partnership is a powerful example of how, together, we can make a difference, one person at a time.  

The post Trainline and Missing People celebrate award-winning partnership at a Parliamentary event appeared first on Missing People.

What Makes This Bouquet Unique?

Not only is it a stunning arrangement of pink roses and fragrant rosemary sprigs in a beautiful vase, but it also carries a meaningful purpose. With every sale, a portion of the proceeds will directly support Missing People’s efforts to reconnect missing individuals with their loved ones.

Shared Values and Impact

NEXT and Missing People both prioritise overall well-being. Next aims to strengthen family and community bonds, making a positive impact on neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, Missing People provides hope and support for families in crisis. This collaboration goes beyond a mere partnership—it’s a union of shared values and a genuine desire to make a difference.

The Power of Collaboration by combining their resources and expertise, NEXT and Missing People can reach more people and have a greater impact on our communities. We’re excited about this initiative and can’t wait to witness the positive outcomes it will bring.

Thank You, NEXT!

Jo Lee from NEXT said:

“This is a wonderful collaboration. Partnerships like this play a crucial role in spreading awareness about the lifesaving services provided by Missing People. Let’s come together and support this initiative—it’s a chance to make a real difference!”

Vicki Oliver, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Missing People said:

“We are incredibly excited to partner with NEXT for this special August bouquet initiative. NEXT’s dedication to community and family aligns perfectly with our mission at Missing People. This beautiful bouquet not only brightens homes but also brings hope to families in search of their loved ones. Together, we can amplify our efforts and make a meaningful impact. Thank you, NEXT, for your support and commitment to such an important cause.”

Buy the bouquet

You can purchase the flowers here.

The post NEXT and Missing People Join Forces for a Special August Bouquet! appeared first on Missing People.

The campaign, built around the launch of the new audiobook across leading podcast platforms on Monday 8 January, has caused unease in just three days since its launch. Having downloaded the audiobook, listeners found the story ends abruptly after three minutes – when the main character, Marcus, goes missing after being coerced into working with a county lines drugs gang. The next eight chapters are filled with nothing but an eerie silence. The listener is deprived of a resolution to the story, reflecting the real-life experience of the thousands of people whose loved ones go missing every year. 

In the final chapter released today, Stephen Fry explains that the podcast is not broken, but is in fact a partnership with Missing People designed to reflect the feeling that many parents have when their loved one is missing. It’s a story with no ending, one that leaves the listener in limbo indefinitely.

Fry, a longstanding patron of Missing People, has been involved in several previous Missing People initiatives. He has also previously appeared in a short film for the charity voicing an emotional appeal for families missing loved ones to help get missing people home for Christmas. ​​Stephen recalls the time he famously went missing: “I myself went missing at a time of crisis in my life, but I was fortunate enough to be reunited with my loved ones. Not everyone gets that reunion.”

For ‘The Missing Lines’ campaign, created by House 337, the agency came up with the idea for a story about a missing child, then wrote the opening pages and invented a fictional author, who was given the name M.S. Singh.

House 337 approached Fry to narrate the opening pages for the audiobook which is being distributed via Apple and Spotify’s podcast platforms. The agency has also been promoting it on audio network Acast, via other podcasts and hosts, and through influencers across all social platforms. The artwork was displayed on over 60 DOOH sites donated by Ocean Outdoor, and across 250 sites donated by JCDecaux across the UK.

Watch Stephen’s reveal on our page, and learn more about the charity below.

The post Stephen Fry’s New Audiobook Narration Revealed as Stunt For Missing People appeared first on Missing People.

Last October, we launched our first preventative out-of-home campaign in partnership with JCDecaux in response to the cost-of-living crisis. The aim was to reach people who might be thinking of going missing and signpost them to our Helpline. The idea behind this was “find us first” to be that barrier between progressing into what could be something quite dark, lonely, and, for some, final. 

Safe Way Home Campaign

Working with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), we have replicated our preventative campaign across their network in 2023. Using billboards, digital boards, and audio announcements at stations to help prevent people in crisis from going missing and to help those who are already missing find a safe way home to their loved ones or another place of safety, keeping people in crisis from harm and reuniting family and friends. 

In addition, GTR launched a PR activation in Blackfriars Station on Platform 1, where they have the highest footfall of customers. There were 40 footsteps prints to represent the 40 people that go missing every rush hour; this is live for 2 weeks. They have also used their landing page for long term missing appeals for 12 weeks with a different appeal every week, this includes our helpline number and imagery/branding. 

GTR has helped Missing People, and will continue to, work towards our goal and make sure that our vision stays alive. Together we have made sure that people understand that missing is a life and death crisis by bringing those footsteps to life at Blackfriars station. The campaign makes sure that people out there know that we exist, so that they can obtain the right help, at the right time. Coming together on such a large scale we hope to ensure that fewer missing people come to harm. 

Thank you GTR, for everything. 

The post GTR x Missing People Partnership Announcement appeared first on Missing People.

Posters across the South Western Railway network and announcements at the operator’s flagship stations will encourage people to contact our free, confidential Helpline on 116 000.

About the campaign

There is a strong link between transport and missing people. Trains are a means by which people can go missing, taking one-way journeys away from home. Stations and trains can also be safe havens, with shelter and amenities such as Wi-Fi.

In 2021, SWR became the first train operator in the country to partner with Missing People. The cost-of-living crisis has since been exacerbating many reasons why people go missing, making the partnership even more important.

It is hoped that this new campaign will help prevent people in crisis going missing and help people who are already missing find a safe way home to their loved ones or another place of safety, keeping people in crisis from harm and reuniting family and friends.

A video about the campaign can be watched here.

Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director of South Western Railway, commented:

“The cost-of-living crisis is putting an even greater strain on many across society, so we are proud to partner with Missing People on this important campaign to help people in crisis.

“SWR is committed to safeguarding vulnerable people on the railway, and this campaign encourages anyone on our network who is missing or thinking of going missing to contact Missing People for support.

“Together I hope that we can ensure that more people get the help that they need to get to a place of safety.”

Jo Youle OBE, Chief Executive, Missing People, commented:

“Missing People is delighted to partner with South Western Rail to reach people who may be in crisis, and to let them know confidential support exists. The links between mental health and going missing are clear. The risk of harm is acute for many whilst they are missing. Together, we hope to help less people come to harm. The support of SWR, with awareness and vital funding, gives us the best chance of providing a safe way home for missing people.”

Get help

If you have been affected by missing, we are here for you. Contact our Helpline on 116 000 by call or text.

You can also access our services and learn more about the ways we can help below:

The post Missing People and South Western Railway ‘Safe Way Home’ Campaign appeared first on Missing People.

Our Helpline team have heard first-hand that financial issues like not being able to pay bills, unpaid debt, and food insecurity are driving people to think about going missing. In response, we launched a new preventative campaign in October to reach more people in crisis.

With around 100,000 adults reported missing each year in the UK, we have extended our current preventative campaign to include a partnership with Stagecoach and have printed the Missing People helpline number on its bus tickets. The campaign began being rolled out across every corner of the UK almost two weeks ago and we can confirm that calls from people in need who have seen the number on the ticket have started coming in.

Stagecoach bus tickets

Stagecoach bus tickets will now have

“If you feel like disappearing or know someone who has gone missing, find ‘Missing People’ for support.  Call the free helpline on 116 000 which is confidential and non-judgemental”

printed at the top of the ticket.

About the partnership

Stagecoach, the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, which employs 23,000 people across Scotland, Wales, North and South England has an ongoing partnership with Missing People as part of its Giving for Good initiative. This initiative supports its commitment to donate 0.5% of pre-tax profits every year to charitable causes. It also has national partnerships with Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, the Trussell Trust and Happy Days. Through these partnerships, Stagecoach has provided financial donations and is also committed to supporting the charities wherever possible, for example by providing buses and helping to raise awareness of the great work of each of these charities.

Martin Griffiths, Chief Executive for Stagecoach, said:

“With over 2 million passenger journeys a day, in every corner of the UK, we know public transport plays such an important part in communities. By reaching so many people every day we can raise awareness of the great work Missing People do, not only for those who are missing and thinking of going missing but also supporting their loved ones too.

We are delighted that this initiative has already helped numerous people in the short time it has been live. Our drivers have also played a really important role in getting the message out there by signposting those they may see as vulnerable to the number on their tickets which resulted in a call to Missing People’s helpline.

Our Giving for Good committee was formed almost a year ago and it is encouraging to see the benefits of our partnership working now coming to fruition.”

Jo Youle, Chief Executive of Missing People, said:

“We are particularly pleased with this important partnership and continued support from Stagecoach who are playing an instrumental role in our drive to prevent people in crisis from disappearing. The printing of helpline number on Stagecoach bus tickets is our hope that someone in crisis sees it and we can be the support they need before they leave”

Research into missing

With a high risk of homelessness and coming to harm while away, we are making every effort to ensure people in crisis know where to look for help and partnerships like the one with Stagecoach help create a bigger impact and wider reach.

Our recent research showed that 4 in 10 missing adults tried to take their own life while missing. National Crime Agency figures show that the number of people dying while missing has increased for the past three years.

We are concerned that these numbers will increase as people face greater financial hardships and will see a rise in the number of people reported missing or taking their own lives.

Get help

If you have been affected, we are here for you. Contact our Helpline on 116 000 by call or text.

You can also access our services and learn more about the ways we can help below:

The post Missing People and Stagecoach Partnership appeared first on Missing People.

Around 100,000 adults are reported missing each year in the UK. The most common reasons for going missing are mental health and financial problems. They are at high risk of homelessness and coming to harm. Missing People’s recent research showed that 4 in 10 missing adults tried to take their own life while missing. National Crime Agency figures show that the number of people dying while missing has increased year on year for the past three years, with suicide the most common cause.

“During that moment of lostness, when I was stood on the station platform becoming detached from myself I was not yet ‘missing’ to others. I believe that there was a window of opportunity there. Had I been able to see these images they may well have been able to cut through that growing hopelessness, preventing the situation from escalating into the trauma of becoming completely overwhelmed. It has been a privilege to consult collectively with Missing People on this prevention project and to find ways of using my own experiences of grief and loss to support those who are in crisis now.” – Ju Blencowe

Missing People’s new campaign aims to reach people who may be thinking of going missing. The campaign was created with creative agency, The Raised Eyebrow Society, and in partnership with advertiser JCDecaux UK. People with lived experience of being missing worked on the messaging to make sure it will be as effective as possible in reaching out to others affected. Our campaign will occupy iconic media space that could include The M4 Torch, The Shoreditch Showcase, The Marylebone Tower, and The Edinburgh Arch. We aim for the campaign to also be shared across other platforms and through other partnerships going forward.

“The surge in the cost of living will have a significant financial impact on people across the UK, especially in disadvantaged communities. The charity is deeply concerned about reports that desperate children trying to make money for their families are being coerced by gangs to sell drugs.” – Jo Youle, Chief Executive of Missing People

Partnership with JCDecaux UK

The campaign will run across JCDecaux Community Channel digital billboards UK-wide. Launched in February 2022, The Community Channel enables not-for-profit community and charitable projects to access digital Out-of-Home locations. The Community Channel creates real value through the power of the public screen. It aims to amplify Out-of-Home’s role as a force for good in communities.

“JCDecaux UK has worked with Missing People for many years, using the power of the public screen of Out-of-Home to bring their important message to people in communities across the UK.” – Chris Dooley, Head of Social Impact at JCDecaux UK

Financial Support when Missing

If you or someone you know is affected by missing we suggest reading our guide on legal and financial advice. We created a guide for family and friends to follow below. Our guide includes advice on debt, homelessness and available resources for those affected by the cost of living crisis.

The post Launching: Missing People Prevention Campaign appeared first on Missing People.