Children in Need returned this week – and many in York helped raise money for the BBC charity.
At the end of Friday’s telethon, the event had raised £48 million, which is a fantastic achievement. But where does that money go?
A good chunk of the charity’s cash has made it back to York, helping some of the city’s most deserving causes. We got in touch with some of the initiatives that have been supported by Children in Need.
Accessible Arts and Media
Accessible Arts and Media runs arts and creative media learning projects across the city. One three-year programme provides musical activities during and after school for children with various disabilities, along with their siblings.
AAM’s development manager Kirsty Halliday told us that Children In Need supports the Inclusive Music Projects programme which runs all year-round including music activities for disabled and non-disabled children and young people in and around York.
The funding also supports a weekly music group for learning-disabled young people aged 11+, the holiday clubs that are either a full or half day of workshops in school holidays for 5-10-year olds and 11+ and also the training programmed, where learning-disabled young people learn how to lead music workshops.
“Their funding is very important, not just supporting project costs but also helping us to secure additional funds from other sources,” Kirsty said.
Lollipop
This project offers a twice a month drop in sessions to school transition for deaf/hearing-impaired young people to give support.
Heidi, the service manager for Lollipop York, told me that the charity received a three-year grant in 2017 to support the regular monthly drop-in sessions, and quarterly aspiration events for members.
The sessions are coordinated and delivered by skilled leaders as well as BSL interpreters and deaf mentors who all have personal experience and expertise in deaf awareness.
Heidi also said that the aspiration events have included visits from hearing gogs, Toy Like Me, the deaf punk chef and a music workshop in collaboration with Music And The Deaf and National Centre for Early Music.
She said: “The children and young people attending these drop-in groups and aspirational events are developing their self- identity and increased feelings of belonging; belonging to a group of deaf peers, where shared experiences and challenges can be explored.”
Four more good causes
Here are other some examples of charities in and around York that do incredible work with the help of the donations from Children in Need.
Snappy supports disabled children and provides training and employment opportunities.
Refugee Action York supports refugee and asylum-seeking children and young people with a weekly youth service, fortnightly sports sessions and one-to-one mentoring.
Jorvik Warriors Powerchair Football Club – the money raised from Children In Need provides sport equipment and facilities for a session every two weeks. This gives the young people confidence, allows them to have fun and give them a sense of belonging.
Over the six-week summer holidays York Carers Centre offers life skills and emotional resilience to improve mental and physical health.