The money that you give changes lives. 

Your support means that we can be there for babies and children right across the UK, helping them to be the best they can be.  Read about the children we help and the current focus of our funding. 

The first few years of a child’s life are key, where the foundations of their skills, knowledge and wellbeing are built.  How they are supported in developing at this stage can have a direct impact on their short and long term health outcomes and life chances. This includes their future opportunities, their educational attainment and even their earning potential.  

In fact evidence shows that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life in particular are critical. Experiencing issues and challenges at this time can affect development and wellbeing. Having access to nutrition, love and support is essential for children and their parents/carers helping them to thrive. This includes being able to develop, to go to school ready with a range of skills and to help them in later life. 

Not all children have stable, safe and happy home lives. Across the UK children are facing a number of challenges and pressures related to their home lives including domestic abuse, poverty, neglect and trauma affecting their safety, wellbeing and development. Children and young people have been affected by a range of complex and compounding external challenges including austerity, the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. These external factors create additional pressures, challenges and barriers in their lives, affecting them now and potentially in the future. 

Getting support is a challenge for many as early years projects and services have faced a number of challenges over the past few years. In childcare for example, there have been many challenges including recruiting and retaining staff, increased costs to deliver, challenges accessing places and the impact of external issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic.  

Fees are increasing and numbers of providers are reducing creating challenges for families to get the support they need making things hard for them to get parenting support and for children to access developmental support. Material deprivation is a direct poverty measure about accessing or affording the basics essential items. 

• Around 4.5 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK*

• In some areas of the country, more than half of children are growing up in poverty. 

• Over a million children aged 0-4 are affected by material deprivation*  

• Disabled children are more likely to be living in poverty. 

• Many families are affected by multiple and connected challenges including poverty and mental health on top of other tough circumstances. 

Your support means that we can be there for babies and children right across the UK, helping them to be the best they can be.   

The money raised for us by ASDA could help us to support 26,000 babies and children in their first 1000 days through BBC Children in Need funded projects. 

It was in hospital that they were introduced to Team Jak, who get a grant from BBC Children in Need, to support families and children who are affected by cancer. Team Jak were on the ward where Cooper was and he began doing music therapy. Team Jak also gave Cailean support and advice. When Cooper came home, he stared attending Jak’s Den, where he was able to play and have fun, like any other three year old, but in an environment that was safe for him. 

Cooper is now in remission, but still receives treatment. Team Jak are still there for the family, every step of the way and will continue to support them for as long as they need them.