³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need Appeal 2006
Where the money goes
Last year ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need raised £33.2m, and every single penny goes directly to disadvantaged children and young people.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need gives grants to registered charities or voluntary and community groups that support youngsters aged 18 or under.
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A large proportion of them have encountered severe social problems.
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Projects include ones that cater for youngsters who have experienced homelessness, neglect, abuse, poverty, serious illness, disabilities, psychological disorders and addicitions.
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Some of the grants allocated by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need in 2006 included:
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City United, Birmingham (ME)
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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.
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The project aims to engage these children and turn their attention away from a life of crime to a more positive direction.
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A ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need grant of £39,848 will pay for football coaching and equipment.
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People and Drugs (PAD), Northumberland (NE)
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This is a local-based charity with roots in drugs prevention work.
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The project ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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.
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A grant of £52,852 will pay the salary costs of a Youth Worker.
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Thames Valley Vikings – Wheelchair Basketball Club, London (SE)
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A ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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.
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The organisation aims to use the activity to improve the children's fitness, social skills and confidence.
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Voices From Care, All Wales (WA)
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This organisation offer support to young people who are, or were, in care and may be facing problems or difficulties.
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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.
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When key decisions are being made about their lives, the organisation will also help present their views to the authorities, if necessary.
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Springboard Opportunity Playgroup, Wiltshire (SW)
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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.
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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.
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Safety Net Advice and Support Centre, Cumbria (NW)
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This organisation provides advice, guidance and support to young people aged between 12 and 19 years who have suffered rape or sexual abuse.
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A ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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.
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Starter Packs Dundee (SC)
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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.
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A ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need grant of £6,000 was awarded to this project to contribute towards the purchase of bedding for under 18s.
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Case studies from projects that have received a grant
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Samantha, aged 16, New Horizon Youth Centre
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Progress is slow, but she is beginning to adjust to living in society again.
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Centre staff helped her to make contact again with her father and Samantha is thinking of taking up her studies again.
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Heather, aged 15, Camp Quality UK
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"Three years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. My life changed completely because I got really ill and spent loads of time in hospital.
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"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.
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"Camp Quality UK - a charity ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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.
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"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."
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Karen, Positive Help
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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.
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During her childhood, Karen was given support by a female befriender from the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Children in Need-supported organisation, Positive Help.
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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.
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Karen isn't HIV positive herself, but has still had to deal with the prejudice that surrounds it.
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The befrienders from organisations such as Positive Help work to make children like Karen feel valued and build up their confidence and self-esteem.
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