Parentline receives £25,000 health board funding, but last year the service cost £57,000 to run. While accepted as a national helpline and listed among the emergency numbers in the beginning of the telephone directory, they cannot afford an 0850 number.
"One of the hospitals closing this Christmas asked about our opening hours so that they could refer people. We were open over Christmas except for the day itself," says Emerson. "So you could say we are selectively recognised but we would like more financial recognition to expand a service which is still so badly needed today."