Four projects share Children in Need aid

£90,000 raised via appeal goes to help youngsters

CHILDREN in Need has awarded more than £90,000 to four projects working with disadvantaged children and young people.

Young Leicestershire Ltd was awarded a three-year grant of £21,780 to deliver fun sessions and trips, including a residential break, for young carers from Eyres Monsell in Leicester.

The project aims to improve the carers’ emotional wellbeing while building their independence and life skills.

Alison Jolley, chief executive at Young Leicestershire Ltd, said: “This funding will enable us to provide young carers with the opportunity to have fun, make friends and enjoy a short break away from their caring responsibilities.

“It sounds simple, but the impact is immeasurable.”

Centre Project will use a three-year grant of £30,000 to deliver Freedom Club to children who are newly arrived to the UK, including refugees and asylum seekers, alongside local disadvantaged children.

The funding will support the project to offer a safe environment with creative, innovative and fun activities to encourage resettlement and integration.

Cara Perry, youth worker at Centre Project, said: “Children newly arrived to the UK often experience isolation, stigma and difficulty forming positive relationships.

“Thanks to this award, we will be able to help them form a sense of identity and belonging.”

Drum and Brass CIC was awarded a three-year grant of £28,880 to provide a programme of music developmental activities for disadvantaged children under the age of five who are living in areas of deprivation.

The funding award will support a music therapist role.

Project manager Davina Wilson said: “This grant really will help us to give disadvantaged children the best possible start in life.

“The power of music in a child’s life can be transformative.

“Through our weekly sessions children will be supported to make music with their primary caregiver, with the aim of supporting them to meet their developmental milestones.

“As the lockdown continues, children this project will support will desperately need to express themselves and the loss they have felt from being away from friends and family.”

Charnwood Learning Centre was awarded a 12-month grant of £9,500 to provide literacy and numeracy support for children from black and ethnic minority backgrounds affected by poverty and deprivation.

The programme of support aims to improve the children’s communication skills whilst building their confidence and self-esteem.

Melinda Connelly, BBC Children in Need head of the Central region, said: “At this time, where many of our projects are having to adapt and find new ways of supporting children and young people in need of help, we are more grateful than ever for the generosity shown by our supporters.”

Simon Antrobus, chief executive of BBC Children in Need, said: “I am incredibly proud to be awarding funding which will go on to positively impact lives.”

Across Leicester, BBC Children in Need is currently funding 29 projects to a total value of £1.9 million.