DIY SOS Volunteer Call for Derbyshire BBC Children in Need Big Build 2023

DIY SOS is calling for volunteers to assist with this year’s BBC Children in Need Big Build project in Derbyshire.

In September, DIY SOS will be partnering with Radio 2 to deliver its tenth Big Build project – a bespoke children’s counselling and therapy centre for Treetops Hospice in Risley, Derbyshire.

This special build will benefit traumatically bereaved children and families by enabling 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 outreach project to build a lasting legacy in the East Midlands as part of Radio 2 in the Park – which is taking place at Victoria Park in Leicester on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September, featuring performances from a star-studded line-up of artists.

DIY SOS 2023 Project

DIY SOS Children in Need 2023 will see Nick Knowles, and his team of Chris, Billy, and designer Gabrielle Blackman joined by BBC Radio 2 presenters. They’ll be joined by an army of volunteers to create the charity’s new building in just 10 days.

The new counselling and therapy centre for Treetops Hospice 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 support to children and their families struggling following traumatic bereavement.

Treetops Hospice has been supporting adults with life-limiting conditions for over 40 years. BBC Children in Need have supported Treetops since 2010 and its 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.

Nick Knowles, Presenter of BBC One’s DIY SOS, said: “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.”

Jules Kirk, Therapeutic Services Manager at Treetops Hospice, added: “We are absolutely over the moon to have the DIY SOS and Radio 2 team come to Derbyshire to create a brand-new counselling and therapy centre within our grounds in Risley.

“Every year, we provide over 900 counselling sessions for local children, some as young as seven years old, who are struggling after the death of a loved one.

“This will make an immeasurable difference to hundreds of children and their families in our local community. If there are any local tradespeople or businesses who can lend their time or donate materials to help build the new centre for us, please contact the DIY SOS team.”

>> Read about the 2022 Big Build project in the news