DIY SOS’s BBC Children in Need Special build begins in Swansea
Today, Wednesday 6 September 2017, DIY SOS embarked on one of its biggest challenges to date in aid of BBC Children in Need.
Nick Knowles, the show’s presenter, along with his trusty team of Billy, Mark, Chris and Jules, took to Swansea to purpose-build a new home for The Roots Foundation Wales, a charity which offers support to children and young people in care or leaving care. The team began the build with help from volunteers, as well as the local community, Wales and beyond, who all came together to support the cause. The show, DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special (working title) will air this November during BBC Children in Need Appeal week.
Following the demolition of The Roots Foundation Wales’ previous facility, ‘The Hut’, which was run-down and gradually falling into disrepair, the construction of a purpose-built support centre complete with attached temporary accommodation, for young people making the transition into adult life, will continue until 17 September 2017. The TV special will not only document the trials and tribulations of the ambitious build and its grand reveal, but will also share the stories of many of the children and young people in care and leaving care, who are currently supported by The Roots Foundation Wales.
The Roots Foundation Wales, established in August 2011, is an inspiring charity which offers wide-ranging support to children and young people in care or leaving care, those in kinship care and their carers based in Swansea and South Wales. The Roots Foundation Wales offers advice and guidance on topics such as; finance, cooking, health and employment with the aim of helping to prepare children and young people in care and leaving care for adult life. The charity also provides intensive support through initiatives such as the C.A.R.E Project which is funded by BBC Children in Need which delivers help to children and young people in care or leaving care who are at risk of exploitation.
In addition to the hundreds of generous volunteers, Sophie Robinson, interior designer and former judge on BBC2’s The Great Interior Design Challenge, joins the team to help generate a very special home for The Roots Foundation Wales. Sophie will use her artistic flair and love of colour to ensure this transformation is truly spectacular.
Speaking from the building site in Swansea, Nick Knowles, presenter of BBC One’s DIY SOS, said: “It’s going to be a really tough eleven days but there are three big reasons why we are so very passionate about this build.”
Nick Knowles, presenter of BBC One’s DIY SOSFirstly, we are building a fantastic new home for The Roots Foundation Wales, which will help them to deliver their vital services and support to children and young people in care and leaving care as well as the provision of temporary accommodation which will help ease the difficult transition into adult life for many young people.
“Secondly, this special edition of DIY SOS: The Big Build, in aid of BBC Children in Need, will allow us to meet some of the most vulnerable children and young people in Wales giving them the chance to share their stories.”
“And lastly, we’re delighted to once again galvanise the community across the South Coast of Wales and beyond in coming together to create something very special which will help change the lives of so many children and young people now and in many years to come, all in aid of BBC Children in Need.”
Emma Lewis, Chairperson at The Roots Foundation Wales, added: “Words cannot describe how excited we are to be involved with DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special, thank you to everyone who has volunteered time or materials, it means the world to The Roots Foundation Wales and the children and young people we support.”
