Staff from BBC Children in Need will be visiting Tiverton in the first week of April to encourage local projects working with disadvantaged children and young people to learn more about our funding programmes.

The Charity supports projects across the UK who are making a tangible difference to young lives, and hopes to increase its presence through Mid-Devon with the meeting.

The information session will be held from 10am - 12noon on April 7 at the Sunningmead Community Centre in Tiverton, where Juliet Williams, BBC Children in Need Regional Officer for the South and West will welcome potential applicants, and be on hand to answer questions and talk through proposals.

Those who would like to attend the session need to register their interest, and are asked to email Juliet Williams at juliet.williams1@bbc.co.uk or alternatively call the local BBC Children in Need office on 01752234588.

BBC Children in Need already has more than £1.8 million in grants hard at work across Devon, supporting 44 different projects working local youth affected by a range of issues, including, illness, poverty, disability, bereavement or isolation.

This total includes a grant of over £47,000 to Home-Start Exeter and East Devon to support its work with vulnerable children who are in their early years, as well as their primary school siblings during the school holidays.

The three-year grant helps cover the cost of staff who will engage children and their parents in activities, such as arts and crafts, messy play, music and singing, reading and outdoor exploration to enhance their social and educational development.

Parents are also engaged in themed workshops, such as cookery, to build on their knowledge of healthy eating and promote their child’s general wellbeing.

At the project, families can receive practical advice from trained staff in a safe and a non-judgmental environment where the whole family can enjoy quality time together.

Speaking about the area Juliet Williams, Regional Officer for BBC Children in Need, said: “We’ve already got a strong footprint in the area, but know that there are projects – particularly around Mid-Devon – that could benefit from our funding. We want to make a difference to as many young lives as possible, so are open to hear from new and former grantees.”

The Charity funds two types of grants and is keen to hear from applicants for either of its two types of grants.

A Small Grants Programme includes grants up to and including £10,000, which supports projects for one year, while the Main Grants Programme is for grants over £10,000 per year to support projects for up to three years.

BBC Children in Need issues both new and continuation grants, meaning that even if a project has had a grant from the Charity in the past, they may be eligible for further funding.

All projects funded by the Charity must demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged young people, under the age of 18.

The next deadline for our small grants is May 15.

Full details on the grants can be found at the BBC Children in Need website; www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey or call the South and West team at any time on 01752234588 to talk through questions or project ideas.