BBC Children in Need launches £1m funding award to improve young people’s mental health

Charities are being urged to apply for a £1m funding award being launched by BBC Children in Need to improve young people’s mental health.

The single funding award aims to roll out early intervention support to children UK wide and build on its A Million & Me funding scheme, which backed projects that supported children aged eight to 13.

A focus of this funding award is on targeting children in this age group from marginalised communities and developing “innovative and large-scale creative solutions for early intervention”.

National children’s and young people’s charities are urged to apply for the award. Applications are also welcome from a collaboration of groups, although the lead partner must operate in at least two UK nations and be able to deliver support UK wide.

Targeting children who are beginning to struggle with their mental health but do not yet have a diagnosis is another priority of the fund.

Other priorities are to implement digital support programmes and to involve parents and carers by promoting the importance of positive relationships.

“The award aims to generate tangible, scalable change that recognises the continued distress many children and families are facing,” said BBC Children in Need.

BBC Children in Need is partnering with Health Foundation and Impact on Urban Health to manage the funding award.

“We know the power of positive relationships and early intervention and look forward to working with the successful organisation, or consortium of organisations, that will help us make an even bigger impact on the mental health of children and young people across the UK, both now and in the future,” said Fozia Irfan, BBC Children in Need director of impact and influence.

Impact on Urban Health programme director Kamna Muralidharan added: "Every child should have access to the things they need to be healthy and happy, but right now where you grow up has a huge impact on your mental health."

Applicants are being asked to sign up to a mandatory information session later this month and submit their application by 26 November.