‘Space to Grow’ has directly supported more than 500 children and reached thousands more children, parents and professionals, helping them feel more confident and supported with their emotional wellbeing.
As the nation marks BBC Children in Need 2025, hundreds of children across the UK are benefiting from the charity’s funding through the Space to Grow programme helping 8- to 13-year-olds build confidence, understand their emotions and feel better supported.
Delivered in partnership between The Children’s Society, Children First and MACS, Space to Grow offers one-to-one support, group activities and school-based sessions that give children the tools to talk about how they feel before problems become overwhelming.
Adam*, age 11, said: “The kindness I was shown was my favourite part. I just wish it was longer, I wanted more time!”
Over the past year, the programme has:
- Directly supported more than 500 children
- Reached over 6,000 children and 1,300 parents and carers
- Engaged more than 1,000 professionals including teachers and youth workers
- Opened support services in 13 locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The programme particularly focuses on children who may face barriers to accessing traditional mental health services, including young carers, children from the global majority, and LGBTQ+ youth.
Nicola Sugden, National Programmes Manager at The Children’s Society, said:
“We’re seeing children tell us they feel more able to talk about what’s worrying them, and families who say they’re finding new ways to support each other. That early help can make such a difference giving children space to feel heard and supported before things reach crisis point.”
Linzie Crooks, Service Manager at Children First, added:
“We’ve had children come to us feeling anxious or unsure about friendships, and through Space to Grow they’re learning that it’s okay to talk and ask for help. It’s a simple idea, but it’s making a big impact.”
Callum Kane, a wellbeing practitioner for MACs, said:
“It’s been incredible to see Space to Grow come to life over the past six months. We have built a programme that helps children understand themselves, express their emotions creatively, and grow in confidence. Watching them light up during sessions, knowing they feel seen, supported and valued has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”
“My daughter loved going every week. She always came home talking about how much fun she had, it really helped her open up and feel good about herself” – Elaine* whose daughter was supported by Space to Grow
*Names have been changed
