National Missing Persons Helpline
www.missingpersons.org
The National Missing Persons Helpline has more than 200 unpaid volunteers and a staff of 80 salaried employees from the most varied backgrounds.
The charity was founded by two sisters, Mary Asprey and Janet Newman.
Mary Asprey OBE, Co-Founder
Mary worked for charities as a consultant before helping to set up NMPH. She co-ordinates casework and oversees collation and analysis of the Helpline's unique and confidential data on missing people.
National Missing Persons Helpline (NMPH) was established as a charity in 1992 to advise and support missing people and those who are left behind. It gives priority to the vulnerable - the very young, the old, the sick and distressed. NMPH has the most detailed 'missing' database in the country, registering both vulnerable and non-vulnerable missing people. The charity also offers its services to organisations outside the family circle; the police, social workers, hospitals, care homes, foster homes and international organisations. NMPH is a charity dependent entirely on voluntary donations.
The Scale Of The Problem
According to Home Office estimates, about 210 000 people are reported missing in the UK each year. The vast majority return safe and sound within 72 hours - but thousands do not; the distress experienced during this time is when families need us most. State agencies such as the police are sometimes unable to help, leaving NMPH to fill the gap. NMPH receives thousands of missing persons reports every year, but on a positive note the charity helps to resolve 70% of cases it works on. Its helplines handle more than 150 000 calls per year.
How The Charity Works
The charity operates three nation-wide Freefone telephone Helplines manned 24 hours a day, and provides a variety of other services relating to missing persons. NMPH charges no fee because many families of missing people cannot afford one. But donations are encouraged because the Helpline now needs £4.1 million a year to provide services to the ever-increasing number of families who turn to them for help and support.
National Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700 700
Message Home Helpline 0800 700 740
Runaway Helpline 0808 800 70 70
WebLink www.missingpersons.org