What are our areas of geographic and thematic interest at a local level?
BBC Children in Need operates across the UK, with grant-making teams based locally and informed by sector discussion and research relevant to the local area.
We are a broad-based funder and want to make sure we support projects that are reaching disadvantaged children and young people not strongly represented through our funding.
Geographical and thematic areas of interest help us achieve a comprehensive and inclusive portfolio of grants, representing the diversity of communities and need across the UK.
Geographic areas of interest are areas identified as having high levels of children and young people living in poverty, mapped against BBC Children in Need and other investment in that area.
Thematic areas of interest are informed by our research work, current investment and knowledge of the infrastructure at a local level.
Geographic and thematic interest are not intended to act as a barrier for organisations applying to BBC Children in Need.
Areas of interest are a part of local plans of action, inform our discussions with the sector and help us to identify issues and barriers to access at a local level.
We want to reach children and young people not fairly represented in our portfolio at a local level.
The funding landscape changes and the sector operates within a fast-moving environment. We monitor and test our areas of interest on a regular basis and will adapt in response to the changing environment, informed by our sector discussions and analysis.
How do we identify our local geographic and thematic areas of interest?
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- We look at where the projects we currently fund are delivering
- We look at the barriers children and young people are experiencing
- We listen and act on a diversity of voices of children and young people
- We listen to sector organisations who tell us about the current and emerging needs of children and young people
- We listen to lived and practice experience
- We look at the wider funding landscape, government policy and research at a local level
- We consider best fit with our grant-making strategy
- We recognise that there is a complex picture of regional variation across the four nations, including ward level variations and there are needs within areas that otherwise appear to be well served.
How do we use this information?
We recognise the importance of relationships with grantees, with applicants and with other funders.
We want to be more transparent by talking externally about our local geographic and thematic areas of interest as these form an integral part of local plans of action.
Whilst an application may fit with a specific geographic or thematic area of interest, this does not mean that funding will be automatically allocated to that applicant.
We consider several things when allocating funding including:
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- Evidence of need for the funding
- The difference the work could make for children and young people
- Evidence that the organisation is well placed to deliver the project
- Evidence of involvement of children and young people in shaping the project
- Evidence of good project planning
- Best fit with the funding programme
- A strong child focus to the application
Applications should support us in delivering our organisational priorities and decisions are made at a local and UK level, underpinned by local insight and work undertaken by our Insight Team.
ENGLAND
North
North
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our current thematic areas of interest include projects and organisations supporting children and young people who are criminally exploited and impacted by serious youth violence; children and young people with experience of the care system; children and young people experiencing mental health issues and activities enabling young people to meet their potential through increased employment opportunities.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in Salford and Bury (Greater Manchester), Barnsley (South Yorkshire), Tees Valley, Burnley and Pendle (Lancashire), Sunderland (Tyne & Wear), Kirklees and Calderdale (West Yorkshire) and County Durham.
Central
Central
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our current thematic areas of interest include projects and organisations supporting children and young people experiencing issues with their mental health or emotional wellbeing and those who are or have been exposed to domestic abuse in their home environment.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in Derby, Dudley, Norfolk, Worcestershire.
London
London
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our current thematic areas of interest include projects and organisations supporting children and young people with care experience and children and families living in unstable, unsuitable or temporary accommodation.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Brent, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Merton, Newham and Redbridge.
South East
South East
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our current thematic areas of interest include projects and organisations supporting children and young people from communities experiencing racial inequality, children and young people from LGBTQ+ communities, children and young people experiencing bereavement and children and young people who are (or who are at risk of being) criminally exploited.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in Folkestone and Hythe, Havant, Dartford, Gravesham, Wealden and Gosport.
South West
South West
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our current thematic areas of interest include supporting children and young people from communities experiencing racial inequality. Intersecting thematic areas with geographical reach include projects and organisations working to address the impact of poverty and deprivation in Cornwall; and children and young people who are homeless in Cornwall and Torbay.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in the Forest of Dean, Dorset (Weymouth & Portland), East Devon, Torbay, Mid-Devon and Teignbridge.
SCOTLAND
Scotland
Scotland
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our aim is to support those organisations representing the diversity of children and young people living in Scotland. Our current thematic areas of interest include organisations with experience of supporting children and young people from communities experiencing racial inequality, early years services, the mental health and well-being of disabled children and young people and those in rural and remote areas, and enabling young people to attain their potential.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in rural areas and island communities including Highland, Aberdeenshire, Shetland, Perth & Kinross, and Dumfries and Galloway who are experiencing isolation, lack of access to services and support, and increased poverty as the impact of the rising costs of living is intensified by their location.
WALES
Wales
Wales
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our current thematic areas of interest in Wales include projects and organisations supporting children and young people who are (or have been) involved in offending behaviour; children and young people with a parent in prison, and those living in areas where access and isolation presents extra challenges to connecting with services and support. Examples of these challenges include physical remoteness, transport, and digital connectivity.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in the counties of Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Ynys Môn (Isle of Anglesey).
NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Areas of thematic interest:
We recognise the intersectional nature of many of the issues facing children and young people and the complex picture of needs within different areas. Our aim is to support those organisations representing the diversity of children and young people living in Northern Ireland. Our current thematic areas of interest include organisations with experience of supporting children and young people experiencing racial inequality, early years services, the mental health and well-being of disabled children and young people, children and young people with experience of the care system and those living in rural and remote areas, at a distance from mainstream support.
Areas of Geographic Interest:
Projects and organisations supporting children and young people living in ward areas within Strabane, Newry and Mourne, Mid & East Antrim and Fermanagh.
Cymraeg/Welsh
Am y dudalen Cymraeg cliciwch yma.
