BBC Children in Need announced the launch of a new grant programme, Fun and Friendship, which will focus on disabled young people aged 12-18 years old living in the UK.
The £3 million grants programme, Fun and Friendship, was set up following commissioned research revealing a significant lack of opportunity for independent socialising for disabled young people, often leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. BBC Children in Need are targeting organisations that can provide these opportunities for friendship, and identify and address the barriers disabled young people face as teenagers growing up.
BBC Children in Need intends to award up to 12 three-year grants of up to £300,000 each. The Fun and Friendship grants programme is in addition to BBC Children in Need’s general grants.
David Ramsden, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need says “Fun and Friendship is aimed at projects that empower disabled young people and work to support opportunities for friendships, fun and social independence.”
The scheme is designed for organisations with the infrastructure and experience to support the participation and leadership of disabled young people, and those who are willing to engage and share with the network of Fun and Friendship projects and others in the field of disability.
Ramsden continues “We want to increase learning across the wider sector, and with each successful applicant’s contribution, work together to promote new and effective ways of doing things.”
The primary focus of applications should be social interaction, with disabled young people actively engaged in determining how that develops, combined with a commitment to sharing what is learned in the process.
The deadline for applications is 31st July 2009 and projects can apply online at: bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/funandfriendship.shtml
Those who are successful will be awarded a grant in February 2010.
For more information, please go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey/grants/funandfriendship.shtml or email pudsey@bbc.co.uk
Fun and Friendship
Fun and Friendship aspires to encourage confidence and create opportunities for friendships to flourish and fun to be had.
The UK wide programme will fund projects aimed at achieving relatively independent socialising for disabled young people aged 12-18, and those successful will be expected to generate and share learning to inform wider practice and policy.
Projects will be expected to undertake their own self evaluation of the funded project as well as take part in our independent evaluation, which will work with the projects to identify what approaches work effectively and how good practice might be shared.
Up to 12 grants will be awarded with a value of up to £300,000 over a three year period. Fun and Friendship grants programme is in addition to BBC Children in Need’s general grants.
Applications will be online only. Deadline for submission is 31st July.
Research was commissioned by BBC Children in Need and carried out by New Philanthropy Capital and by Birmingham University School of Education.
For an application or for more information, please go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey
BBC Children in Need
The BBC Children in Need Appeal is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
Every year, thanks to public donations and the amazing efforts of fundraisers, schools, businesses and corporate partners, BBC Children in Need is able to make a difference to thousands of young lives.
In 2008, BBC Children in Need received its largest ever cheque of £2.5 million from ASDA colleagues and customers.
The next BBC Children in Need Appeal will take place on 20 November 2009.
For more information please visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey
