BBC Children in Need’s aim remains to do everything we can to help disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Over the last few weeks we have paused our normal Small and Main Grants Programmes. This has given us the time to find out more about the emerging needs of the sector, listen to the experiences of children and young people and engage in an ongoing dialogue with other funders.

In these most pressured times, we wanted to make sure that we used and continue to use this information to enable us to adapt as a funder.

We know that during the current COVID-19 crisis, many organisations urgently need certainty about funding for the coming year. Our commitment to those of you who currently have a grant from us is that:

But equally, we are aware of the need for additional resources for organisations to adapt to the changes being experienced in your organisation and by the young people you support. While our general Small and Main Grant Programmes will remain paused, we will be launching two new COVID-19 Response Grants. These do not replace or affect any existing funding that you receive from us. Their purpose is to assist you to reach and continue to meet the needs of disadvantaged children and young people, including those young people impacted by hidden risks including poverty and abuse.

We appreciate the crisis is developing rapidly and that accurately predicting how COVID-19 may impact your work will be challenging.  Your organisation may be reviewing its working practices, trying to source equipment and materials, finding new ways of working and adapting to address the current and emerging needs of children and young people. These grants aim to provide you with the funds to respond effectively and flexibly to these changes and continue to meet the needs of children and young people during this time.

The COVID-19 Response Programmes are as follows:

More details on both of these funds will be made available on our website.  Please check regularly for updates.