BBC Children in Need survey sheds light on impact of pandemic on young people

In line with the launch of BBC Children in Need’s 2021 fundraising Appeal, a poll conducted by Censuswide has shed light on the impact of the past eighteen months on the lives of children and young people across the UK, as well as offering insight into how positive children and young people feel about their futures.

The UK-wide survey of 1008 parents and 1000 children and young people respectively explored issues relating to poverty, disability and mental health. The key findings reveal that:

Nearly three quarters of parents surveyed (73%) worry about the impact of the pandemic on their children.
73% of parents believe children and young people will be worse off in general as a result of the pandemic, whilst 77% of parents believe children and young people across the UK are facing greater disadvantages because of the pandemic.
1 in 3 children surveyed (33%) feel their lives have become worse over the past eighteen months.
Just over 1 in 5 children and young people (22%) often feel sad, 1 in 3 (35%) often feel anxious and 1 in 3 (36%) often feel worried about their future.
Over 70% of parents surveyed underestimated the number of children and young people living in poverty in the UK.
Two-thirds of parents (67%) believe it is difficult to get support for children’s mental health issues at the present time. Over half (52%) believe it is too difficult to get support for a disable child.
Over 1 in 3 parents surveyed (38%) do not have any savings in case of an emergency or an unexpected bill or expense.
Just over 1 in 5 parents (23%) worry every day about being able to provide for their family.

The charity’s survey also revealed how children themselves get through bad days, and what advice they would offer to friends who are struggling.

The top five things that help children surveyed when they are having a bad day include listening to music (47%), talking to friends (39%), watching TV or a film (38%), talking to family (36%), or playing a video game (31%).
The top five ways children help a friend having a hard day include listening to them (53%), asking if they want to talk about it (43%), telling them everything will be ok (31%), giving them advice (30%) and asking them if they want to go out or do something fun (29%).
The top five recommendations from children to a friend having a hard day include advising them to talk to friends (50%), advising them to talk to family (46%), suggesting they listen to music (37%), recommending they get a hug from someone kind (31%) and advising them to go for a walk (30%).

BBC Children in Need’s Chief Executive, Simon Antrobus said:

Our research clearly shows that the lasting effects of the pandemic are continuing to impact the lives of children and young people across the UK. As a charity, we want to ensure no child feels alone and that every child is supported to thrive and be the best they can be. We hope our supporters unite once again to show children and young people that there is hope, and that despite the challenges they may be facing, we will be right behind them. Together, we really can change young lives and bring hope for the future.

Simon Antrobus, BBC Children in Need CEO

For everything you need to take part in this year’s appeal, download our official 2021 fundraising pack, which is bursting with ideas to inspire fundraising ahead of the Appeal show on Friday 19^th November.

Thanks to the generosity of the British public, BBC Children in Need is currently funding over 2,500 local charities and projects across the UK that are helping children and young people facing a range of disadvantages.

Together, we can support young people in communities right across the country, at a time when this help is needed more than ever.