May 19, 2026 - 167 views
BBC Children in Need mascot Pudsey Bear is set to visit Conwy as part of a major new nationwide campaign encouraging children to speak openly about their mental health.
The famous yellow bear will sail into Conwy during the first-ever “Big Bear Voyage” around Britain ahead of BBC Children in Need 2026, which takes place on Friday, 20 November. The 2,200-nautical-mile journey will visit around 35 coastal towns across the UK, bringing fundraising events and mental health awareness activities to communities including North Wales.
The campaign has been launched to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 and comes alongside new research revealing the growing pressures facing children and young people across the UK.
Figures released by BBC Children in Need show almost a quarter of children aged 10 to 14 regularly keep their worries to themselves, while more than a third say anxiety and worries have made life less enjoyable or left them too embarrassed or afraid to speak out.
The charity says one in five children feel they have not been shown how to talk about mental health in a safe or supportive way, while nearly one in five say they often hide their true emotions by pretending to be happy when they feel sad or anxious.
In a landmark moment for the charity, Pudsey Bear is speaking for the first time in more than 40 years as part of the campaign.
A new short film, “Pudsey Finds His Voice”, premiered on BBC television this week and carries the message that every child deserves an adult who will listen.
BBC Children in Need says children who regularly have someone trusted to talk to are around nine times more likely to say they feel happy than those who do not.
The charity has also announced £1.24 million in additional funding for mental health support projects across the UK. This includes £745,000 for digital counselling charity Shout and £500,000 for The Children’s Society to continue its “Space to Grow” programme supporting young people in schools and communities.
Claire Hoyle, Interim Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said too many children were “carrying their worries alone”.
She said: “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.”
The visit to Conwy is expected to form part of a wider programme of fundraising and community events across North Wales later this year, with local schools, groups and supporters being encouraged to take part through sponsored challenges, bake sales and awareness activities.
