BBC Children in Need
Interior Design Masters aka changing lives one celebrity at a time
What an honour to record this celebrity edition of Interior Design Masters for BBC Children in Need. On screen Tuesday 12 November at 8pm, BBC1.
Three designer duos (from left to right: comedian Jon Richardson paired with model and TV host Leomie Anderson; comedian and podcaster Joanne McNally with comedian Darren Harriott; and singer Shirlie Kemp with her husband musician and actor Martin Kemp) were pitted against each other with a mission to overhaul one room each, from play rooms to music rooms, at the Sandwell Young Carers Centre near West Bromwich.
The need could not be greater. This amazing establishment provides respite for children, from the ages of five through to 18, who have been thrust into caring for others. Yes, you read that correctly, from the age of five. Can you even imagine?
The Centre is where they get to be kids again. To play, relax, and hang out with other children and get a break from their responsibilities. Here they can be quiet, or sociable. Be creative, or read. Watch a movie or take time out to play games. It’s essential care for kids going above and beyond. And donations from BBC Children in Need help to provide qualified staff, resources and activities for them. But the rooms themselves are tired, which is where our celebrities come in!
As I see it, these amazing children needed to be shown how absolutely worthy and valued they are. And we could do that by giving them beautiful spaces that reflect their needs, hopes, desires and dreams. After all, isn’t this the primary purpose of interior design? It is to me.
How many young carers are there?
According to The Children’s Society, by definition, a young carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after a family member or friend who has a physical or mental health condition, or misuses drugs or alcohol. They may also look after brothers, sisters or elderly relatives too.
There are lots of different estimates of how many young carers there are. The 2021 ONS census reported that there are around 120,000 aged 5-18 in England, while the school census in 2023 suggested that there were 39,000 'known' young carers in the country. Meanwhile, a 2018 BBC survey found that there were as many as 820,000 young carers aged 11-15.
One thing is for certain: There are clearly a significant number of young people across the country with caring responsibilities, and it’s important that every one of them is getting the support they need.
Here’s how you can help…
To donate £5 text FIVE to 70718
To donate £10 text TEN to 70718
To donate £20 text TWENTY to 70718
To donate £30 text THIRTY to 70718
To donate £40 text FORTY to 70718
See all the small print stuff below! And a QR code to donate online.
Thank you! From all of us.