BBC Children in Need launches its 2020 fundraising campaign
BBC CHILDREN IN NEED LAUNCHES ITS 2020 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN WITH AN URGENT APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE UK’S CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, AS NEW SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THEIR WELLBEING
To launch BBC Children in Need’s 2020 fundraising Appeal – Together, we can – a YouGov poll on behalf of BBC Children in Need has shed light on the impact of recent events on children and young people across Britain, six months after the UK went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey also offers insight into the issues that matter most to young people and their hopes for the future.
The nationwide survey of 831 parents and 697 children and young people respectively reveals that:
- 94% of children and young people have had cause to feel worried, sad or anxious in the last six months.
- More than half of parents (54%) feel that lockdown has had a negative effect on their child’s overall happiness and wellbeing
- 52% of children and young people say that they have felt more lonely during the past six months than they did before lockdown
- Six months after lockdown, nearly half (45%) of parents feel that their child displays more feelings of worry or anxiety than they did before
- Over half of parents (58%) feel that the events of the last six months (since lockdown) will have a negative effect on their child’s future career and education prospects
- Three in ten children and young people (30%) feel it will be harder to get the job or career they want after the pandemic
- When asked about the issues which mattered most to them, over half of children and young people (59%) selected racism as an issue that was important to them personally. Climate change/global warming was also a concern, with 56% stating that this was important to them
- When asked which one world issue they would most like to see improve or get better, 22% of children and young people selected climate change/global warming, followed by coronavirus (13%)
- In terms of their hopes for the future, having a happy life is most important to children and parents alike. 74% of children wished for a happy life. 57% also said getting a good job was important to them. When asked about their one greatest wish for their child’s future, 66% of parents said that their child having a happy life was most important, followed by them enjoying good health, with 20% of parents saying that was their greatest wish for their child.
The online surveys of 831 parents with children aged 5-18 years old* and 697 children aged 6 – 18 years old** were both carried out by YouGov on behalf of BBC Children in Need to launch the charity’s 2020 Together, we can fundraising campaign. BBC Children in Need’s 2020 campaign aims to inspire the nation to show their support for children and young people facing disadvantage across the UK, and demonstrate that Together, we can make a difference to young lives at this time of urgent need.
In the children’s poll, 52% of children and young people said they have felt more lonely that they did before lockdown, with 62% of children and young people saying that they have felt worried, sad or anxious over the last six months due to missing seeing friends, teachers and classmates, whilst nearly half (48%) of parents said that their child displays more feelings of worry or anxiety than they did before lockdown. BBC Children in Need currently funds 212 local charities and projects across the UK who are supporting children and young people struggling with their mental wellbeing and in the last six months alone has awarded funding totalling £1.2 million to projects supporting children and young people facing mental health issues through the charity’s Covid-19 response programmes. The charity said money raised through this year’s Appeal would go on to support children and young people facing a range of disadvantages across the UK, including those who are struggling with their mental wellbeing or the impact of loneliness and isolation.
Additionally, the research highlighted disparities between children and young people from less affluent (C2DE) backgrounds, versus those from higher-earning (ABC1) households. Children and young people from C2DE backgrounds were more likely to face anxiety due to concerns about having enough money for food and bills (19% vs 8% ABC1), their mental health (30% vs 11% ABC1) and poor health and fitness (24% vs 8% ABC1). BBC Children in Need currently funds 1,294 local charities and projects across the UK who are supporting children and young people affected by poverty and deprivation and in the last six months alone has awarded funding totalling £3.7 million to projects supporting children and young people affected by poverty through the charity’s Covid-19 response programmes.
The research also highlighted the impact of Covid-19 on children’s futures, with over half of parents (58%) feeling that lockdown will have a negative effect on their child’s future career and education prospects and three in ten children and young people (30%) feeling it will be harder to get the job or career they want after the pandemic. Despite concerns about future prospects, children and young people’s career aspirations have been relatively unaffected by the pandemic, with 46% of children and young people stating that they still want the same career they were looking to achieve six months ago. One of BBC Children in Need’s primary aims is to support children and young people to reach their full potential, and money raised through this year’s Appeal will help support disadvantaged children and young people to achieve their goals.
The survey also highlighted the issues that matter most to children and young people, with over half of children and young people (59%) choosing racism as a world issue which is important to them. Climate change/global warming was also a concern for children and young people, with 56% agreeing that this was important to them. When asked which one world issue they would most like to see improve or get better, 22% of children and young people chose climate change/global warming, followed by coronavirus (13%), whereas 28% of parents most wanted to see the Covid-19 pandemic improve, followed by climate change and the UK economy (both tied at 12%).
BBC Children in Need’s research highlights the impact of recent events on children and young people, from feelings of worry and anxiety to loneliness and isolation and parents’ concerns about their children’s futures. Thanks to the generosity of the British public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding over 3,900 local charities and projects across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages. Funds raised through BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal will support disadvantaged children and young people in communities right across the UK, at a time when this help is needed more than ever.
BBC Children in Need’s Chief Executive, Simon Antrobus said: “This research is a clear indication that our work here at BBC Children in Need and this year’s Appeal has never been more needed than right here, right now. Whilst everyone has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, this research highlights the enormous and profound impact recent events have had on the UK’s children and young people. It’s incredibly tough growing up in such uncertainty and for many children and young people already vulnerable or at risk, life during the pandemic has become even harder. And, sadly, we are not through it yet. Here at BBC Children in Need we are totally focused on helping and supporting children and young people during these uncertain times and we know too that through the kindness and generosity of our supporters that together, we can collectively help children and young people overcome their challenges and be the best they can be.”
Rosie Millard, Chair of BBC Children in Need, said: “Throughout the crisis BBC Children in Need has demonstrated what an effective and inspiring charity it is. We have targeted funds to reach children and young people throughout the country, providing essential support to children in crisis, children who are anxious, lonely or afraid and children in families who have been plunged into poverty. Through its incredible generosity the public continues to show how trusted BBC Children in Need is. I know people will respond magnificently once again in our forthcoming Appeal, because they know we really can transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people, now more than ever.”
A number of celebrities have pledged their support for BBC Children in Need’s Together, We Can 2020 campaign, including Ade Adepitan MBE, Zoe Ball, Nadiya Hussain and Joe Wicks:
Ade Adepitan said: “The impact of Covid-19 on the lives of children and young people across the UK has been severe, and sadly, will likely be long-lasting. I have visited a number of BBC Children in Need funded projects in the past, and know the lifeline they offer to children in their time of need. This is a time of need. If you feel able to support this year, please do.”
Zoe Ball commented: “This year’s Appeal feels more important than ever given the situation we all find ourselves in, but there is hope. Extraordinary things happen when people join forces to make a difference. BBC Children in Need have accomplished incredible things over the years and that is only possible thanks to the public’s generosity. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Nadiya Hussain said: “This year, it feels more important than ever to be supporting children and young people across the UK facing disadvantage. Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic has made life even harder for those facing difficulties in their lives, but Together, we can bring hope when it is needed most. If you are able to support BBC Children in Need this year, I promise it will make a difference.”
Joe Wicks said: “BBC Children in Need is a charity I hold close to my heart, and feel this year in particular, we need to do all we can to help make a difference. BBC Children in Need funds over 3,900 projects in communities all over the UK, many of these projects are likely just down the road from you, and have been a lifeline to children in need of support over the past six months. Together, we can help local charities and community organisations continue their brilliant work in every corner of the UK.”
BBC Children in Need’s official 2020 fundraising pack is available to download now from bbcchildreninneed.co.uk and is bursting with ideas to inspire Together, we can fundraising ahead of the charity’s 40th Anniversary Appeal show on Friday 13 November. To date the Great British public has raised over £1 billion for children and young people across the UK and the charity is calling on people to once again show their support to help make a difference.
To find out more, please go to bbcchildreninneed.co.uk
~ENDS~
Together, we can celebrity images can be found here
For more information please contact: [email protected]
Notes to Editors
* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 831 parents who have children aged 5-18. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th September – 1st October 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
**All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 697 children aged 6 to 18. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25th – 30th September 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB children (aged 6 to 18).
BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. The charity will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.
BBC Children in Need is currently supporting over 3,900 local charities and projects in communities across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages such as living in poverty, being disabled or ill, or experiencing distress, neglect or trauma.
Following The Big Night In appeal in April, BBC Children in Need launched a number of dedicated Covid-19 response programmes to support local charities and projects across the UK who are providing essential help to children and young people during the current crisis. To date, the charity has awarded £19.6 million in funding to specifically help organisations in communities across the UK provide essential support to children and young people facing disadvantage during the pandemic.
Further information on BBC Children in Need can be found at bbcchildreninneed.co.uk
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