Kate visits crisis support service Shout to mark one million text conversations

Shout 85258 has seen demand jump by 140% since the start of the pandemic and is calling for more volunteers to help out.

Published Jan 26, 2022

The Duchess of Cambridge has visited the mental health text service she helped establish to mark a milestone one million conversations.

Kate, dressed in an olive green patterned dress, met volunteers, clinical supervisors and fundraisers at Shout 85258, which was launched by the Cambridges and backed by their Royal Foundation in 2019.

Royal visit to Shout — The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to members of staff during a visit to Shout in London (Alastair Grant/PA)

The duchess was shown how the service works in London, and joined a small group of volunteers to hear about their experiences helping the distressed.

Shout is the UK’s only 24/7 text messaging support service and offers confidential help for anyone struggling to cope.

Round-the-clock support comes from clinical supervisors and some 2,500 trained volunteers.

The service was the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first major project with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with the service launched following a £3 million investment from the Royal Foundation in May 2019.

The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to members of staff during a visit to Shout in London — The duchess was shown how the service works in London, and joined a small group of volunteers to hear about their experiences helping the distressed (Alastair Grant/PA)