Local Projects in Rhondda Cynon Taff awarded £77,400 from BBC Children in Need

BBC Children in Need has announced that it has awarded new grants totalling £77,400 to two local projects working with disadvantaged children and young people in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

The new funding awards – made possible following BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal in November – will support the delivery of vital services to young people in the area and means that the charity now has more than £487,000 invested locally.

One project which has been awarded funding is Cwmparc Community Association. It will use a three-year main grant of £47,400 to fund an after-school club for children and young people in a deprived area. The aim is to promote educational, cultural, environmental and wellbeing activities which will help young people better express their emotions, achieve a greater sense of happiness and an increased sense of belonging within the local community.

Sarah Roderick, Director at Cwmparc Community Association said:

“With this funding, we can continue our work engaging, empowering and inspiring our local community through offering a safe and welcoming space for children and young people to be involved and feel supported through a range of activities. BBC Children in Need, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”

Ynysybwl Enterprise Programme has also benefitted in this latest round, receiving a three-year small grant of £30,000 to fund activities and informal learning for children and young people from a disadvantaged area. The events and activities are designed to improve their life skills, boost confidence, and enable stronger communication and self-expression.

Anthony Burnell, Vice Chair at Ynysybwl Enterprise Programme said:

“We are extremely grateful to everyone at BBC Children in Need for their support. This funding will allow us to develop and deliver a range of ancillary activities involving learning, development, health and wellbeing, culture and arts for the benefit of children, young people and the wider community.”

Speaking of the new grants, Melinda Connelly, BBC Children in Need National Head of Wales said:

“Over the past year, many local charities and projects across the UK have had 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, who made these funding awards possible in such a challenging climate. Thank you all.”

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said:

“After a year of immense challenge and uncertainty, we’re proud to be awarding funding to local projects which will provide a lifeline and help children and young people facing disadvantage navigate through the lasting impact of the pandemic. At a time when children and young people need us most, thanks must go to our remarkable supporters without whom none of these awards would be possible. Thank you.”

Over the past year, BBC Children in Need have delivered two Appeals to help make a difference to children and young people facing disadvantage whose lives have been made even harder as a result of the pandemic. Following The Big Night In Appeal in April 2020, BBC Children in Need launched a number of dedicated COVID-19 response programmes to support organisations across the UK providing essential help to children and young people during the current crisis.  To date, the charity have awarded over £25 million in funding to specifically help projects provide essential support to children and young people facing disadvantage during the pandemic.

Across Rhondda Cynon Taff, BBC Children in Need is currently funding ten projects to a value of £487,884