Reaching Callum just in time
Alone at a train station in the middle of the day, anxious, and constantly checking his phone, Callum was moments away from being used to transport drugs. Thankfully, we reached him first.
Meet Callum
Callum, 16, had been out of school for months when our Community Engagement Worker noticed him, alone and anxious, at a train station when he should have been in school.
On speaking to Callum, it was clear he needed help.
Through referral to our services for longer-term support, Callum explained he had been out of school for months – falling behind and feeling invisible. So, when older boys began to offer him attention and gifts, it felt less like danger and more like belonging.
Helping Callum find a place to belong
Through regular weekly sessions, we helped Callum recognise exploitative relationships and supported him to move away from the gang trying to lure him in.
Gently, we helped restore Callum’s self-esteem and identified an education setting that worked for him.
Today, Callum is at college where he is building healthy friendships and looking forward to the future.
Reaching children before exploitation takes hold
There are over 6,500 active County Lines in Britain, exploiting at least 15,500 young people – thankfully, Callum didn’t become one of them.**
But, for every child like Callum that we reach, many others are being subjected to harm and exploitation that can feel impossible to escape. And, for many of them, this exploitation starts at a train station.
But it can end there too.
Through placing outreach workers at transport hubs and training transport staff to spot signs of exploitation, we can protect more children like Callum when they need it most.
Will you help us be there for more vulnerable children like Callum?
£165 could fund an outreach worker for a day at a UK station – identifying young people at risk and working with communities to keep stations safe.
*Name changed and model used to protect identity. Callum’s story reflects real situations experienced by children we support. Donations will be used wherever the need is greatest across India, Tanzania and the UK.
**Home Office County Lines Programme Data, 2026 and NPCC, Oct 2025
