How Children in Need helps Scotland

AS THE children’s charity is gearing up for its biannual fundraiser, find out some of the Scottish organisations which are directly benefitting from the event.

Celebrities dress as their childhood heroes to support the launch of BBC Children in Need 2015. From left to right: Dermot O'Leary as Ernest Shackleton, Tess Daly as Oliva Newton-John's Sandy, Sir Terry Wogan as Gene Autry, Rochelle Humes as Wonder Woman, Nick Grimshaw as Liam Gallagher & Sophie Ellis-Bextor as Julie Andrew's in Mary Poppins.

In the Edinburgh, BBC Children in Need currently fund 39 projects to a value of over £2,400,000, which includes funding to the Dean & Cauvin Trust who receive a grant of £54,815 for a programme of group activities for young people preparing to leave care or who have just left care. They are supported to develop the skills they need to live independently, be happier and more confident, and able to make informed positive choices. It is one of the country’s oldest charities, having been established in 1733 by merchants in the city to rescue children and young people from the streets.

A grant of £110,257 to Deaf Action supports the project to bring together young deaf people, siblings and friends from across Edinburgh, Fife, Lothian and the Borders to promote independence, self-esteem and confidence through a programme of activities.

In Glasgow, some charities include the Gorbals Youth Brass Band, who recieved £6,225 to provide music lessons and group performances for young people living in the Gorbals in Glasgow. The children and young people taking part will increase their self-esteem, make friends across the community, learn new skills and have raised aspirations.

The Paragon Ensemble Ltd recently recieved £10,000 to provide a Saturday morning music club for children and young people aged five to 18 with disabilities and their siblings from across Glasgow. This helps them to be more confident and independent, improve their social, communication and creative skills, make friends and have fun.

Park Villa Football Development Group were gifted £8,892 to provide football activities for 70 young people in Govan. They promote physical activity, encourage positive relationships with the community and provide essential life skills.

And The Well, Multi-Cultural Advice Centre recieved £6,246 to provide a weekly mothers and toddlers playgroup in Govanhill. They aim to improve confidence, increase social skills and enhance language skills to increase communication and reduce isolation. This one year grant will fund three sessional play workers, training, healthy snacks, craft activities, special celebrations, books and toys.

In the north Aberdeen charity Fersands & Fountain Playscheme were given £9,000. The Playscheme provides junior youth clubs and after school activities including arts and crafts, outings, sports and dance for young people living in the Woodside area of Aberdeen. They aim to help the children and young people taking part to feel happier, more confident and included, make friends and have fun.

In Dundee, the Hot Chocolate Trust were given £102,561 to help vulnerable young people in a disadvantaged area. It funds open drop-in sessions plus more intensive one-to-one and group work sessions with residential opportunities to increase the young people’s confidence, resilience and wellbeing.

And in Paisley, Our Place Our Families Renfrew recieved £9,800 to run a 13-week holiday programme of play and sports activities for 300 disadvantaged children and young people in Moorpark, Renfrew. The project aims to increase social inclusion, improve health and increase the participants’ sense of value in the community.

Children in Need returns on Friday 13 on BBC One, where Sir Terry Wogan will be joined by Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Rochelle Humes and Nick Grimshaw as hosts.