This year's drive has a focus on supporting young people's wellbeing in light of Covid-19

The annual Children in Need appeal has been launched with a focus on supporting young people with their wellbeing.

To launch BBC Children in Need’s 2020 fundraising Appeal – Together, we can - a YouGov poll on behalf of the appeal has shed light on the impact of recent events on children and young people across Britain, six months after the UK went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey also offers insight into the issues that matter most to young people and their hopes for the future.

The nationwide survey of 831 parents and 697 children and young people respectively reveals that:

• 94% of children and young people have had cause to feel worried, sad or anxious in the last six months.
• More than half of parents (54%) feel that lockdown has had a negative effect on their child’s overall happiness and wellbeing
• 52% of children and young people say that they have felt more lonely during the past six months than they did before lockdown
• Six months after lockdown, nearly half (45%) of parents feel that their child displays more feelings of worry or anxiety than they did before
• Over half of parents (58%)  feel that the events of the last six months (since lockdown) will have a negative effect on their child’s future career and education prospects
• Three in ten children and young people (30%) feel it will be harder to get the job or career they want after the pandemic
• When asked about the issues which mattered most to them, over half of children and young people (59%) selected racism as an issue that was important to them personally. Climate change/global warming was also a concern, with 56% stating that this was important to them
• When asked which one world issue they would most like to see improve or get better, 22% of children and young people selected climate change/global warming, followed by coronavirus (13%)
• In terms of their hopes for the future, having a happy life is most important to children and parents alike. 74% of children wished for a happy life. 57% also said getting a good job was important to them. When asked about their one greatest wish for their child’s future, 66% of parents said that their child having a happy life was most important, followed by them enjoying good health, with 20% of parents saying that was their greatest wish for their child.

The online surveys of 831 parents with children aged 5-18 years old and 697 children aged 6 – 18 years old were both carried out by YouGov on behalf of BBC Children in Need to launch the charity’s 2020 Together, we can fundraising campaign. The campaign aims to inspire the nation to show their support for children and young people facing disadvantage across the UK, and demonstrate that Together, we can make a difference to young lives at this time of urgent need.

BBC Children in Need currently funds 212 local charities and projects across the UK who are supporting children and young people struggling with their mental wellbeing and in the last six months alone has awarded funding totalling £1.2 million to projects supporting children and young people facing mental health issues through the charity’s Covid-19 response programmes. The charity said money raised through this year’s appeal would go on to support children and young people facing a range of disadvantages across the UK, including those who are struggling with their mental wellbeing or the impact of loneliness and isolation. 

One of BBC Children in Need’s primary aims is to support children and young people to reach their full potential, and money raised through this year’s Appeal will help support disadvantaged children and young people to achieve their goals.

BBC Children in Need’s chief executive, Simon Antrobus said: “This research is a clear indication that our work here at BBC Children in Need and this year’s appeal has never been more needed than right here, right now. Whilst everyone has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, this research highlights the enormous and profound impact recent events have had on the UK’s children and young people. It’s incredibly tough growing up in such uncertainty and for many children and young people already vulnerable or at risk, life during the pandemic has become even harder. And, sadly, we are not through it yet. Here at BBC Children in Need we are totally focused on helping and supporting children and young people during these uncertain times and we know too that through the kindness and generosity of our supporters that together, we can collectively help children and young people overcome their challenges and be the best they can be.”

A number of celebrities have pledged their support for BBC Children in Need’s Together, We Can 2020 campaign, including Ade Adepitan MBE, Zoe Ball, Nadiya Hussain and Joe Wicks.

Wicks said: “BBC Children in Need is a charity I hold close to my heart, and feel this year in particular, we need to do all we can to help make a difference. BBC Children in Need funds over 3,900 projects in communities all over the UK, many of these projects are likely just down the road from you, and have been a lifeline to children in need of support over the past six months. Together, we can help local charities and community organisations continue their brilliant work in every corner of the UK.”

BBC Children in Need’s official 2020 fundraising pack is available to download now and is bursting with ideas to inspire fundraising ahead of the charity’s 40th Anniversary Appeal show on Friday 13 November. To date the British public has raised over £1 billion for children and young people across the UK and the charity is calling on people to once again show their support to help make a difference.