• To launch the 2022 Appeal BBC Children in Need conducted a survey across the charities and community organisations it supports across the UK, highlighting the urgent need for support during the cost of living crisis 
• BBC Children in Need’s 2022 campaign Positive Relationships aims to shine a light on the  need and importance of the positive relationships provided by project workers in grass roots organisations working with children across the UK as they work to address the direct effects of poverty
• Celebrities Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Jason Manford, Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott MBE add their voices to the campaign and are confirmed as presenters for the charity’s 2022 Appeal

Monday 3 October – BBC Children in Need has today launched its 2022 Appeal  with a focus on tackling the impact of the cost of living crisis on children, young people and the  charities and community organisations which support them.

To launch the 2022 Appeal BBC Children in Need conducted a survey across the charities and community organisations it supports across the UK.

Following an incredibly difficult few years the online survey of 776 local charities and projects, carried out by nfpResearch, has shed light on the compounding impact of the crisis on children’s mental health, and the urgent need for support:

• A quarter of projects say that nearly all (90%-100%) of the young people they support are experiencing challenges to their mental health
• 4 in 5 projects (79%) say that they are supporting children and young people with their mental health, even though it isn’t their main focus
• 89% are expecting it will be more difficult for children to access mental health support in the coming year
• 91% believe that mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing young people today
• 93% believe that the situation regarding children experiencing mental health issues is only going to get worse

The survey also highlighted the impact the crisis is having on charities and projects:

• Alongside their core project work, 61% of projects have started to provide the children and young people they support with basic essentials (food, clothing, toiletries etc.) as a result of the cost of living crisis
• 91% of projects would struggle to pay an increased bill or expense
• 47% of projects say the financial stability of their charity is weaker compared to 12 months ago
• 4 out of 5 (84%) say that they will have to seek more funding than usual over the next 12 months as a result of the cost of living crisis

BBC Children in Need say that the survey highlights the stark reality that a significant number of children are predicted to face poverty this year and that more children are at risk of being held back by missing out on the activities and opportunities that help them grow confidence, build skills and develop friendships.

As a result of the survey, BBC Children in Need’s 2022 campaign Positive Relationships aims to shine a light on the  need and importance of the positive relationships provided by project workers in grass roots organisations working with children across the UK as they work to address the direct effects of poverty on children and young people’s mental wellbeing and opportunities to thrive. The Positive Relationships campaign will champion the vital and life changing difference that can be made through children’s relationships with trusted project workers, who support, encourage and inspire children and young people to thrive and be the best they can be.

BBC Children in Need want to address the compounded risks posed by the impact of the financial climate on local projects set up to help address the challenges and issues currently facing children and young people across the UK and so their  2022 campaign  aims to raise funds to directly tackle the effects of the cost of living crisis. Donations from the campaign will help the charity to:

• Continue to fund thousands of Project Worker posts across the UK, who help children to navigate through the challenges of living in poverty and the impact it has on their mental health
• Provide funding for its Emergency Essentials Programme, which provides basic essentials  to children and families living in poverty like a bed to sleep in, a school uniform or a cooker to give them a hot meal
• Provide more funding to organisations  to ensure children don’t have to go to sleep hungr

BBC Children in Need, CEO, Simon Antrobus said: “No child should be held back by hardship. Having a safe, warm and secure home, enough food and opportunities to have fun and learn are all fundamental to a happy childhood and healthy mental wellbeing and we need to be there for the children and young people across the UK that so urgently need our support, and that’s why we are calling on the UK public to help us.

“First Covid, then the cost of living crisis – all of this has taken its toll on the mental health of our nations’ children and young people.  This  crisis also now risks removing the vital support offered by thousands of charities and community projects across the UK. These local projects provide the vital positive relationships in the lives of children who need us most –  we need to be there for them. With your generous support we can ensure they can continue to keep their doors open for those who urgently need their services.”

Ahead of the charity’s Great SPOTacular Appeal Night on Friday 18 November, the charity have also announced their presenters for 2022 – Ade Adepitan MBE, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey and Alex Scott MBE, who will be joined by comedian Jason Manford for the first time this year. All five presenters have pledged their support for the charity’s new campaign, and are calling on the public to do all they can to support children and young people across the UK at a time when it is needed most.

Newcomer for 2022, Jason Manford, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to co-host this year’s Children in Need on BBC One.  Having watched the show for many years, I’m honoured to be following in such illustrious footsteps. This year’s Positive Relationships campaign is so important – we need to ensure that children have the basic essentials, like a hot meal and a warm home, and the support they need to be the best they can be. The projects that Children in Need support are vital in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. We know it’s tough out there for everyone at the minute, but if you can, please help us to make sure that no child goes without.”

Ade Adepitan MBE said: “BBC Children in Need was there for me as a young person, they helped to fund my first basketball wheelchair and from that moment my life transformed. Donations from the public help provide grassroots organisations and project workers across the UK with funding, to deliver the right support and equipment to help children and young people achieve their goals.”

Chris Ramsey said: “I’ve personally visited BBC Children in Need funded projects and seen first-hand how funding from the British public makes such a huge difference to children and young people in local communities. Right now when the cost of living crisis is causing more children and families to feel anxious about their futures, money raised through BBC Children in Need’s 2022 Appeal will enable the charity to provide vital frontline support workers for children in communities across the UK.”

Mel Giedroyc said: “We know that children and young people across the UK right now are living through extremely challenging times. We also know that having the support of a trusted project worker or organisation, like those funded by BBC Children in Need, can make a huge difference to young people’s lives – whether that’s by providing hot meals, being a listening ear for support, or just providing a safe and secure environment where they can have fun with their friends. We know times are hard, but if you can do please donate to make a difference to children and young people all across the UK, who need us more than ever.”

Alex Scott MBE said: “The projects BBC Children in Need supports provide those vital positive relationships in the lives of children who are  overcoming challenges. If you can, please tune in and join The Great SPOTacular night on Friday 18^th November as we raise money to help those who need it most.’’

With thanks to donations from the UK public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding 925 projects supporting children impacted by poverty to a value of £56.8m and 566 projects supporting children with their mental health to a value of £42.3m.

BBC Children in Need hopes to inspire the nation to get fundraising to help make a difference at a time when it’s needed most. Lots of  SPOTacular ideas to engage and inspire people across the UK to fundraise can be found at www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk ahead of the charity’s Appeal Show on Friday 18 November on BBC1 and iPlayer.

~ENDS~

For further information, please contact: [email protected]

Images can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/asq60efjmx290o88hpdj6/h?dl=0&rlkey=qsvujlyofwmrfwmh9wlxu1da4

Notes to editors

nfpResearch’s fieldwork took place between 29^th July and 22^nd August 2022.

About BBC Children in Need

• BBC Children in Need believe every child and young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be.
• BBC Children in Need’s ambition is to create lasting, positive change across the UK for the children and young people who need it most. Together with the BBC and partners, BBC Children in Need aim to inspire the nation in support of their work.
• From Shetland to the Channel Islands, and everywhere in between, BBC Children in Need’s 2,300 local charities and projects work tirelessly in every corner of the UK to help children & young people overcome the challenges they currently face, including supporting children & young people living in poverty, providing emergency support to families in crisis, providing comfort to children feeling sad, lost and alone, helping children overcome inequality and supporting children to feel safe and secure again.
• Official figures estimate that there are almost 4 million children and young people currently living in poverty, with a further 1 million predicted to be facing policy in the next year.