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BBC Children in Need Impact Report 2026

BBC Children in Need's first ever Impact Report reveals the charity supported over 363,000 children and young people across the UK in the last grant year, funding 1,600 projects to the value of GBP 96.1 million, driven by its Change for Children framework.

Report snapshot
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About

BBC Children in Need (Charity No. 802052) funds thousands of charities and projects across the UK supporting children and young people facing disadvantage, guided by its Change for Children framework.

Key Metrics

Children supported Over 363,000 children and young people supported across the UK in the last grant year
Projects funded 1,600 projects funded to the value of GBP 96.1 million, supporting the people and places that provide stability, encouragement and trusted relationships
Emotional wellbeing 124,000 children improved their emotional wellbeing through funded projects in 2024/25
Stronger relationships 117,000 children enjoyed stronger relationships, 116,000 developed greater self-belief, 80,000 grew essential skills and 48,000 became more empowered

Key Outcomes

  • 363,000 children and young people helped to navigate challenges from poverty and mental health to disability and social inequity.
  • 124,000 children improved their emotional wellbeing and 117,000 enjoyed stronger relationships through funded projects.
  • Change for Children framework driving long-term impact across mental health, poverty, social equity and family challenges, with trusted positive relationships as the golden thread.

Geography

UK-Wide

Impact Snapshot
568,000
babies reached by Bookstart Baby in 2025/26 (93% of all babies born)
Over 1.1 million
children and families engaged with Bookstart programmes in 2025/26
80%
of parents and carers receiving Bookstart Baby say they now read or share books and stories more with their child
445,600 children aged 1-4 reached through Bookstart Toddler and Pre-schooler, including 37% of all 1-4-year-olds living in low-income households
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
440,000+ young people aged 4-18 active members across 7,000 Groups
Key Metric 2
140,000 volunteers supporting the movement across the UK
Key Metric 3
373 Sections opened or re-energised in England between April 2024 and March 2025
0.3% overall growth in young people (ages 4-18), driven by 31% increase in Squirrel Scouts (5,200 young people)
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
55,000 foster carers and 370 fostering service providers as members across the UK
Key Metric 2
45 new Fostering Friendly Employers recruited, bringing the scheme to over 680,000 employees across the UK
Key Metric 3
95 Fostering Wellbeing Pioneers in Wales offering peer support and mentoring to fellow foster carers
191 children and young people engaged in outdoor adventure weeks through the Fostering Attainment and Achievement programme in Northern Ireland
Impact Snapshot
Young people sailing
1,224 young people sailed in 2025/26 out of 1,889 individuals reached, an 11% increase, delivering 4,716 nights at sea.
Bursary support
85% of the young people who sailed received financial bursary support; 77% had never sailed before and 21% identify as belonging to the Global...
Qualifications earned
776 nationally recognised qualifications earned, including 630 RYA Start Yachting and 126 RYA Competent Crew awards.
Young people unlocked their potential through ocean voyages, with 204 recommended to return as volunteers, a direct pathway into blue economy careers, and 12 competing in the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race.