Pudsey Bear finds voice for Children In Need’s mental health campaign
Pudsey Bear will speak for the first time in more than 40 years as part of a campaign encouraging children to talk about their mental health.
The Children In Need mascot, known for his yellow fur and colourful bandana, will star in a short film titled Pudsey Finds His Voice which hopes to deliver the message that every child deserves an adult who will listen.
The yellow bear will break his silence for the first time since he came to life in 1985, while in conversation with actor Dexter Sol Ansell, as part of BBC Children In Need’s campaign for Mental Health Awareness Week.
The 30-second film, co-produced by BBC Creative and Blinkink, will urge adults to take responsibility for children’s mental health by highlighting how important it is for them to have someone to confide in and vocalise their worries, concerns and feelings with.
Pudsey Bear was first created by BBC graphic designer Joanna Lane and quickly became the face of Children In Need, taking part in its fundraising and volunteer activities to raise money for children and young people.
The campaign comes amid research by Children’s In Need which found children who often have someone to talk to are around nine times more likely to say they feel happy than those who do not.
The charity also commissioned research by Censuswide which found 24% of children keep their worries to themselves, while 38% say their worries have made life less enjoyable or caused them to stay silent out of fear or embarrassment, highlighting how many children are struggling silently.
Claire Hoyle, interim chief executive at BBC Children In Need, said: “Our research makes clear that far too many children and young people are carrying their worries alone, and that silence can have serious consequences for their mental health.
“We know the difference one trusted adult can make. When a child feels heard, it can change everything – helping them cope earlier and stopping problems from becoming more serious.
“Pudsey has stood alongside children for over 40 years, and now, for the first time ever, he’s finding his voice. Pudsey is finding his voice because too many children feel they can’t share what they’re going through, and too many adults aren’t sure how to start that conversation.
“This campaign is a call to adults. It’s on all of us to create the moments, ask the questions, and really listen – so children feel safe to open up.”
Children In Need has also announced it will be investing £1.24 million in mental health support for children and young people, providing funding to charities including Mental Health Innovations and The Children’s Society.
Pudsey Finds His Voice will air across BBC television and radio from Monday, and will also premiere on BBC One’s The One Show at 7pm.
Published: by Radio NewsHub