BBC Children in Need has announced that it has awarded new grants totalling £412,321 to projects in Cumbria working with disadvantaged children and young people.

The new funding will support projects to provide services to disadvantaged young people in the area and means that the charity currently funds 33 projects across the county, with more than £2.3million invested.

Recipients of the funding include Sight Advice South Lakes (SASL) which has been awarded £53,457, over three years, to deliver a programme of activities to visually impaired children and young people. Taking part in fun, creative and educational activities will help to develop the children’s and young people’s skills, improve their confidence and self-esteem and raise their aspirations for the future.

Elsewhere, Self-harm Awareness in Cumbria (SAFA) has been awarded £58,289, over three years, to deliver one to one counselling sessions for young people experiencing self-harm. The sessions will be delivered in various locations across Cumbria and will lead the young people to having better emotional resilience, develop coping strategies, build confidence and self-esteem and reduce social isolation.

Elizabeth Myers, Regional Head of the North at BBC Children in Need said: “Projects like these in Cumbria make a positive difference to children and young people, which is why we’re so pleased to be funding their work. In the coming months we look forward to seeing their funding in action.”