BBC Children in Need

Children in Need is the official BBC charity and the largest independent UK funder of children and young people, existing to change lives across the nation.

We've partnered with BBC Children in Need to create conditions for youth-led decision making and invention. We’re funding 15 projects with BBC Children in Need that put young people in the driving seat; youth groups across the UK will be invited to design and take part in activity plans which enable young people to find activities they are passionate about.

One of the 15 groups we met recently chose to use their £10k funding from our Foundation to get to know their home country of Wales. They highlighted a lack of access to nature for themselves and their peers which they felt has contributed to a lack of knowledge and skills as well as appreciation for the place they live in. So, they planned a series of excursions that took them to three different natural environments - the beach, mountains and rivers - and chose experiences which would immerse them in the natural environment, allow them to develop skills, encourage them to push themselves out of their comfort zones and create wonderful lasting memories. They've written about their experiences in this beautifully thoughtful blog.

We’re working together with the team at BBC Children in Need to learn from these projects and explore how to do ‘youth-led joy’ well. Read more about our reflections on this work in our Substack with them.