Press Releases

BBC Children in Need is delighted to announce today that £14.8million has been awarded in grants to 422 projects across the UK which will have a direct impact on the lives of disadvantaged children and young people.

This spring allocation is the first of three rounds of grants that will be made this year, and will reach more than 96,000 children across the UK.

The money is also supporting, and in some cases creating, hundreds of jobs for youth and charity workers.

Following the Appeal night last November, which raised a record-breaking total of £20,991,216, BBC Children in Need has received additional donations from fundraisers, schools and businesses from all across the UK.

Thousands of fundraisers across the country "did something different", including cake sales in the office, talent contests at school, sponsored cycles and, the eye-watering, back, chest, arm and leg wax!

Since November, the BBC charity has received thousands of applications for funding. These are rigorously assessed and considered by eight committees which pass on their recommendations to the Trustees of the charity.

Every project that receives a grant from BBC Children in Need works with children and young people who may be affected by homelessness, neglect, abuse or poverty, or those who are living with a serious illness, disability or psychological disorder.

All of the grants are targeted to areas where they will make a real difference and are allocated geographically to ensure that all corners of the UK receive a share of the money raised.

The average amount awarded to a project this round is £35,153 with grants ranging in size from £600 to the largest single grant of £182,683.

David Ramsden, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, says: "We are overwhelmed by the support of people right across the UK as we know that for many people these are difficult times.

"It is a real tribute to the generosity and commitment of our supporters that we have matched last year's efforts and have £36million that we can use to make a real difference to many young lives."

For a list of April 2009 grants, by region, please see: bbc.co.uk/pudsey/charity/grants

Notes to Editors

Regional breakdown

London and South East England

A total of £3,261,751 is being distributed to 72 projects including Eaves Housing for Women.

Eaves Housing for Women provides support and activities to children and young people who have been affected by domestic violence. Alongside their parent or guardian, they work to relive the physical and mental distress of any children affected by violence in their home.

BBC Children in Need awarded Eaves Housing for Women a three-year grant of £146,828 to fund the salary of the Children and Families Worker, the Play Worker and the running costs towards the children's programme. With these workers, Eaves Housing for Women will be able to reach out to even more children who have been affected by abuse.

South England

A total of £521,017 is being distributed to 11 projects including Daisy's Dream.

Daisy's Dream is a needs-led service for bereaved children and their families.

BBC Children in Need awarded Daisy's Dream a three-year grant of £113,221 to pay for the salary of the Family Group Worker for three years and the activity cost for the first. This full-time post will provide ongoing 1:1 support for bereaved children and young people, and also help these children interact and build friendships with others, taking away some of the isolated feelings from their experience.

South West England

A total of £619,501 is being distributed to 11 projects including Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change.

Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) aims to transform and improve the quality of people's lives and the communities they live in. It specifically targets the most disadvantaged individuals and communities on Cornwall's social housing estates. This concentration of disadvantage becomes yet another downward pressure on the peace of mind, health and life chances of young people living in these areas. CN4C will provide after-school, weekend and summer holiday activities to these young people and help them empower the local community.

BBC Children in Need awarded Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change a two-year grant of £79,711 to fund the salary of the Youth Work Coordinator and Head of Communities Development, along with activities.

West England

A total of £378,771 is being distributed to 15 projects including Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled.

Avon Riding Centre for the Disabled assists children with physical and/or learning difficulties from the City of Bristol and surrounding areas. Severity of disabilities can range from those with partial paralysis, severe cerebral palsy, total loss of vision, and learning difficulties, but all are disadvantaged due to their conditions and have limited access to any normal sporting and social activities, which can lead to isolation. Some children at the severe end of the disability scale are unable to support themselves physically and are currently excluded from riding sessions because of health and safety implications due to lack of facilities.

BBC Children in Need awarded Avon Riding Centre a one-year grant of £3,600 to purchase a specialist hoist and ramp which will enable the most severely disabled children, currently excluded from the service, to safely mount and ride a pony.

North West England

A total of £1,153,510 is being distributed to 28 projects including M13 Youth Project's Urban Action.

M13 Youth Project's Urban Action provides street-based detached youth work support for young girls, and young mums and their children, facing social and economic exclusion in Manchester. Through this work, Urban Action is able to reach young women and mothers who are disadvantaged through living in situations of distress, abuse and neglect, and increase their ability to create and sustain a loving, nurturing, healthy and economically viable environment for themselves and their child.

BBC Children in Need awarded M13 Youth Project's Urban Action a three-year grant of £98,833 to fund the salary costs of two Female Detached Youth Workers, the Project Manager and Administrator. M13 workers are committed to reaching out to these vulnerable young women on the streets, taking the time to listen and understand their thoughts, needs and struggles, and empowering them with the tools they need to take a hold of their life.

North East England

A total of £544,001 is being distributed to nine projects including Bluewatch Youth Centre.

Bluewatch Youth Centre provides a cycling activities programme for children with disabilities living in the Sunderland area. For many of these children, they do not have any other opportunities for socialising with people of their own age outside of school. Bluewatch Youth Centre provides a caring, resourced and safe environment for young people to make decisions, voice their opinions and work towards a truly independent lifestyle with friends and workers supporting them the whole way.

BBC Children in Need awarded Bluewatch Youth Centre a three-year grant of £75,580 to fund the salary of a Senior Youth Worker, two Youth Workers and an Assistant Youth Worker to keep delivering a programme of cycling activities to disadvantaged children in the community.

Yorkshire and the Humberside

A total of £1,079,763 is being distributed to 23 projects including BADASG, Bradford and District Autistic Support Group.

BADASG, Bradford and District Autistic Support Group, provides services for children and young people on the autistic spectrum through play development, and is the only organisation in the area that caters specifically for the special needs of these children during the summer holidays. The summer project is geared towards encouraging group play, developing new interests and improving social skills, all areas of great difficulty for children and young people with autism.

BBC Children in Need awarded BADASG a one-year grant of £14,972 to fund the salary costs of the Team Leader, Assistant Team Leader and the summer running costs.

East England

A total of £249,596 is being distributed to 10 projects including Mencap Bedford.

Mencap Bedford supports people with learning disabilities. The children supported by this project have a learning or physical disability and also complex health needs. For these children, it is almost impossible for the majority to find suitable placements in mainstream holiday activities during the summer.

BBC Children in Need awarded Mencap Bedford a three-year grant of £6,600 to fund the venue hire costs for the Summer Playscheme. From the end of July until August, each weekday children will take part in activities including arts & crafts work, sports sessions, a disco, canoeing and visits to a wildlife centre, Woburn safari park and open farm.

East Midlands

A total of £877,130 is being distributed to 20 projects including The Enthusiasm Youth Charity.

The Enthusiasm Youth Charity helps young people fulfil their potential by diverting them away from crime, and encouraging their self-esteem. For those referred to the club as being most at risk of offending, the Enthusiasm Charity offers one-to-one mentoring, as well as youth clubs for peer support.

BBC Children in Need awarded the Enthusiasm Youth Charity a one-year grant of £23,310 to fund the activity costs of residential trips and three youth clubs to continue the charity's work to help these young people realise their potential.

West Midlands

A total of £1,184,783 is being distributed to 22 projects including Youthwise.

Youthwise carries out detached youth work with young people in the local area who have been identified as living in poverty or who are from low income families. There is limited provision for young people in these areas and, due to lack of financial means, many are not able to access life-enhancing opportunities that other young people have access to.

BBC Children in Need awarded a three-year grant of £107,740 to fund the salary of the Senior Detached Youth Worker and their associated project costs. This worker will not only provide guidance in group workshops, but also give individuals one-to-one support to provide them with personal development programmes to meet their specific needs.

Scotland

A total of £2.3million is being distributed to 80 projects including Reality Adventure Works.

Based in Glasgow, Reality Adventure Works supports children and young people who have been affected by family breakdown, violence or abuse, by supporting their needs while teaching them life-skills on special Adventure Breaks. These breaks can be either a day residential trip or a week-long camping trip, and help encourage confidence, build self-esteem and teach leadership skills through team building, peer support groups, rock climbing, hill-walking, mountain biking and much more!

Reality Adventure Works received a three-year grant of £97,930 to fund the salary of the Project Manager.

Wales

A total of £1.3million is being distributed to 37 projects including Voices from Care.

Voices from Care works to give children and young people who are or have been in foster care a voice. It can be difficult for children and young people to speak up and tell those around them about their hopes and fears, especially when they live in an environment that is prone to change, such as various social workers or sometimes placements.

BBC Children in Need awarded Voices from Care a three-year grant of £132,469 to fund the salary and travel costs of the Advice and Support Manager. Through the work of the Advice and Support Manager, these children will be able to have a voice and a dependable source to rely on for information or guidance to meet their needs. This will make a long-lasting impact on their self-esteem, resilience and emotional well-being.

Northern Ireland

A total of £1.2million is being distributed to 84 projects including The Women's Centre in Derry.

The Women's Centre aims to improve the lives of socially and economically-disadvantaged young women, young mums and their children. The children and young women who use The Women's Centre are from areas that include some of the most deprived wards in Northern Ireland, where poverty is widespread, and communities in the area are also affected by inequality, social exclusion and educational under-achievement. With the Women's Centre, these young children and young mums can access support to improve their personal and educational development, as well as help create a loving, healthy and safe environment for their baby.

BBC Children in Need awarded The Women's Centre Derry a two-year grant of £62,156 to fund the salary of a full-time Young Mothers' Support Worker and additional project costs to run a range of classes and programmes including Nutrition Awareness and Musical Tots.

BBC Children in Need

The BBC Children in Need Appeal is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Every year, thanks to public donations and the amazing efforts of fundraisers, schools, businesses and corporate partners, BBC Children in Need is able to make a difference to thousands of young lives.

In 2008, BBC Children in Need received its largest-ever cheque of £2.5million from ASDA colleagues and customers.

The next BBC Children in Need Appeal will take place on 20 November 2009.

The next Grant Round application deadline is 15 July 2009. Please visit the Grants section online if you would like more information on how to apply for a BBC Children in Need grant. For more information please visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

BBC Children in Need