An introduction to BBC Children in Need’s Impact Report

“Across the UK, children are growing up with challenges no one should have to carry alone. Families are feeling the strain of rising costs, young people are under more pressure than ever around their mental health, and too many childhoods are shaped by unfairness, instability or alack of opportunity. Yet even in the hardest circumstances, children’s courage and resilience remind us exactly why our work at BBC Children in Need matters: not just to help them cope, but to give them the chance to thrive.

Because we know this to be true: positive relationships aren’t a nice-to-have, they are the foundation for every child’s potential.

It’s the coach who believes in you. The youth worker who notices you’re struggling. The trusted adult who listens without judgement. These moments might seem small, but they shape how children see themselves and what they believe is possible.

Positive relationships help children feel safe, build confidence and stay connected when life gets hard. They don’t remove every challenge, but they make those challenges easier to face. And without them, those challenges can quickly stack up.

That’s what BBC Children in Need funding makes possible.We fund the people in communities across the UK who show up, day after day, to be alongside children who need it most. Providing somewhere to go, something to do, and most importantly, someone to talk to.

Every year, in support of BBC Children in Need, we come together as a nation with generosity and hope. People from every corner of the UK stand up for children in their own communities. We take that trust seriously. It’s our responsibility to make sure that support goes where the need is greatest, backing brilliant grassroots organisations who are building these relationships and changing lives.

We are incredibly grateful for the BBC’s role in helping us shine a light on this work. Through its storytelling, journalism and programming, the BBC enables the nation to see both the scale of the challenges facing children and the extraordinary people meeting them. This partnership ensures children’s voices are heard, their experiences understood, and the importance of these relationships recognised on a national stage.

This report shares the difference your generosity has made.You’ll read about projects that wrap around children and young people with care and consistency, and the youth workers, the play workers, counsellors and support staff who show up with empathy and belief. These relationships create moments of connection, stability and joy that can transform a child’s life and help them build the skills and confidence they need for the future.

Behind every statistic is a child with hopes, fears, talents and potential. Their experiences guide everything we do.Through initiatives such as our Young Ambassadors and Youth Leadership programmes, young people are helping to shape how we listen, respond and improve.

We are proud of what has been achieved this year, but we know the need is growing. For many families, life feels close to breaking point. That’s why our commitment remains firm. We will continue to listen to young people, invest in communities and back the people and relationships that make the biggest difference.

None of this would be possible without the kindness of people across the UK: the fundraisers who give their time and energy, our partners and donors who stand alongside us, and the dedicated organisations and trusted adults delivering life-changing work in local communities every single day. Most of all, we are grateful to the children and families who trust us with their stories and inspire us to strive for better.

Together, we are making a real, tangible difference in the lives of children and young people – by making sure that no child has to face life’s challenges alone.Thank you for everything you do, and for the unwavering commitment you’ve shown to BBC Children in Need.”

Claire Hoyle, Interim CEO

Our areas of focus

Discover what we fund in these areas, the positive differences it makes to children and young people, and explore real‑life case studies.