In September, DIY SOS will once again be partnering with Radio 2, to deliver this year’s BBC Children in Need Big Build.
In what will be the 10th build for the charity will build a bespoke children’s counselling and therapy centre for Treetops Hospice in Risley, Derbyshire.
Nick Knowles, Presenter of BBC One’s DIY SOS:
“We have another huge build ahead of us in Derbyshire, which will provide a crucial space for children and their families who are going through some of the toughest times. If you have a trade, a skill, can spare some time to graft or can help us with materials then get in touch. It’ll be a blast.”
This special build, which will benefit traumatically bereaved children and families across Derbyshire will enable Treetops Hospice to deliver support and counselling in a purpose built building, completely tailored to the needs of the children who will access it.
Radio 2 is helping deliver this fantastic outreach project to build a lasting legacy in the East Midlands as part of Radio 2 in the Park – the station’s flagship live music event. The concerts are taking place at Victoria Park in Leicester on 16 and 17 September, featuring performances from a star-studded line-up of artists, including Tears for Fears and Kylie Minogue.
DIY SOS Children in Need 2023 will see Nick Knowles, and his trusty team of Chris, Billy & designer Gabrielle Blackman joined by BBC Radio 2 presenters, who will don their steel toe capped boots, high viz and hard hats to help make a difference. They’ll be joined by an army of volunteers to create the charity’s new building – from the ground up – in just 10 days.
The DIY SOS team will create a purpose built counselling and therapy centre for Treetops Hospice that will welcome children and put them at ease from the moment they step through the doors. The team will build bespoke rooms for counselling and complimentary therapy and a multi-functional area that will help to provide crucial support to children and their families struggling following traumatic bereavement.
Treetops has been supporting adults with life-limiting conditions for over 40 years. Children in Need have supported Treetops Hospice since 2010 and their funding has provided counselling to hundreds of bereaved children and families during that time. The funding currently supports children going through a traumatic bereavement, helping them to work through their grief, improving their mental health and wellbeing. Treetops is now recognised as a centre of excellence for children’s counselling.
Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need:
“We are so looking forward to seeing this amazing DIY SOS build come together for Treetops Hospice and the support from our friends at Radio 2, who together will create a lasting legacy in the East Midlands.”
Across Derbyshire, BBC Children in Need currently funds 29 projects to the value of £1.5million supporting children and young people. The build will commence from Monday 11 September – Thursday 21 September 2023. The episode will be broadcast during the BBC Children in Need Appeal week in November.
