Â鶹Éç Children in Need Appeal 2006
Where the money goes
Last year Â鶹Éç Children in Need raised £33.2m, and every single penny goes directly to disadvantaged children and young people.
Ìý
Â鶹Éç Children in Need gives grants to registered charities or voluntary and community groups that support youngsters aged 18 or under.
Ìý
A large proportion of them have encountered severe social problems.
Ìý
Projects include ones that cater for youngsters who have experienced homelessness, neglect, abuse, poverty, serious illness, disabilities, psychological disorders and addicitions.
Ìý
Some of the grants allocated by Â鶹Éç Children in Need in 2006 included:
Ìý
City United, Birmingham (ME)
Ìý
This organisation runs The Phoenix Project, which will pilot a football-based project, targeting children at risk from crime, drug dealers and gangs in the Aston area of Birmingham.
Ìý
The project aims to engage these children and turn their attention away from a life of crime to a more positive direction.
Ìý
A Â鶹Éç Children in Need grant of £39,848 will pay for football coaching and equipment.
Ìý
People and Drugs (PAD), Northumberland (NE)
Ìý
This is a local-based charity with roots in drugs prevention work.
Ìý
The project Â鶹Éç Children in Need is funding will provide drop-in and outreach services to attract young people who would otherwise spend their time on the streets, where there is high risk of drug use.
Ìý
A grant of £52,852 will pay the salary costs of a Youth Worker.
Ìý
Thames Valley Vikings – Wheelchair Basketball Club, London (SE)
Ìý
A Â鶹Éç Children in Need grant of £5,000 will enable this organisation to buy special sports wheelchairs for children to use when they are taking part in the basketball session.
Ìý
The organisation aims to use the activity to improve the children's fitness, social skills and confidence.
Ìý
Voices From Care, All Wales (WA)
Ìý
This organisation offer support to young people who are, or were, in care and may be facing problems or difficulties.
Ìý
It received a grant of £33,430 for the salary of a vital member of staff who will listen to them, and offer practical support when need be.
Ìý
When key decisions are being made about their lives, the organisation will also help present their views to the authorities, if necessary.
Ìý
Springboard Opportunity Playgroup, Wiltshire (SW)
Ìý
Â鶹Éç Children in Need awarded a grant of £24,361 to fund the salary of a specialist communication worker for a playgroup for children with significant special needs.
Ìý
The project aims to give a 'voice' to children with communication difficulties, by teaching them, their carers and various other early years workers that the children meet, to use a pictorial vocabulary.
Ìý
Safety Net Advice and Support Centre, Cumbria (NW)
Ìý
This organisation provides advice, guidance and support to young people aged between 12 and 19 years who have suffered rape or sexual abuse.
Ìý
A Â鶹Éç Children in Need grant of £16,398 will fund the salary of a psychotherapist who will work with these children and their families during the recovery process.
Ìý
Starter Packs Dundee (SC)
Ìý
This organisation provides starter packs, which include bedding, for single people between the ages of 16 and 18 years who have found themselves homeless or have moved on from care.
Ìý
A Â鶹Éç Children in Need grant of £6,000 was awarded to this project to contribute towards the purchase of bedding for under 18s.
Ìý
Case studies from projects that have received a grant
Ìý
Samantha, aged 16, New Horizon Youth Centre
Ìý
Samantha was just 15 when she left home following the death of her mother. She had nowhere to go and found herself homeless and sleeping rough in London.
Ìý
She became severely depressed and started using drugs as a means of blocking things out. She resorted to prostituting herself as a means of paying for her addiction.
Ìý
Two members of the New Horizon Youth Centre's 'outreach' team made contact with her on the streets and gradually built up a relationship with her, but were unable to persuade her to come into the centre during the day.
Ìý
Many months later, Samantha arrived at the centre in very poor health.
The centre's advice team managed to get her hostel accommodation and are helping her with her drug addiction.
Ìý
Progress is slow, but she is beginning to adjust to living in society again.
Ìý
Centre staff helped her to make contact again with her father and Samantha is thinking of taking up her studies again.
Ìý
Heather, aged 15, Camp Quality UK
Ìý
"Three years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. My life changed completely because I got really ill and spent loads of time in hospital.
Ìý
"The friends I've grown up with don't understand all that I've been through, so I've felt really isolated. Also, my cancer has really affected my mobility and it's meant I can't join in as much.
Ìý
"Camp Quality UK - a charity Â鶹Éç Children in Need has supported - has given me a chance to meet other people my own age who understand about cancer: it means I don't have to explain things all the time.
Ìý
"I've been away three times now with Camp Quality UK and I've learned so much, including how to be more confident, and it also gives me a real break from everything."
Ìý
Karen, Positive Help
Ìý
Karen was one of the UK's first babies to be born to two HIV-positive parents. She never met her parents and was brought up by her elderly grandfather.
Ìý
During her childhood, Karen was given support by a female befriender from the Â鶹Éç Children in Need-supported organisation, Positive Help.
Ìý
Karen's befriender listened to her problems, took her shopping for make-up and generally provided her with support in the absence of her mother.
Ìý
Karen isn't HIV positive herself, but has still had to deal with the prejudice that surrounds it.
Ìý
The befrienders from organisations such as Positive Help work to make children like Karen feel valued and build up their confidence and self-esteem.
Ìý
Ìý
Printable version