Red Nose Day '09 - Do Something Funny For Money, 13 March 2009 

Young People

Work with young people is at the very heart of Comic Relief. Whilst many young people lead fulfilling and exciting lives, others face enormous challenges and experience problems that they find difficult to solve on their own. Comic Relief has helped thousands of young people make positive changes in their lives, but many more need help and support.

We currently focus our work in the following areas:

• Young People and Alcohol
• Young People and Homelessness
• Young People and Mental Health
• Young People and Prostitution

Mental Health

All too often people with mental health problems find themselves excluded from jobs, family support, proper health care and community life. This frequently leads to unemployment, poverty, family breakdown and deteriorating health. The stigma attached to using mental health services prevents a huge number of people seeking the support they need to recover from their mental health problems, and they often feel alone in coping with their situation.

Older People

A significant number of older people are among the most vulnerable and isolated people in society. They experience a whole range of problems including loneliness, having no voice in important decisions that affect them, living in poverty and age discrimination. Living alone can also lead to older people spending many hours each day totally on their own, which can lead to ill health and depression.

Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Millions of people across the world are forced to flee their homes because of violence and persecution, and some look for refuge here in the UK. Women who have experienced rape, sexual violence or torture are particularly vulnerable when they arrive in the UK. It is especially difficult when arriving in a completely unfamiliar environment, and many women are unable to talk about their experiences in their own language, let alone in a foreign one.

Disadvantaged Communities

Sadly, there are many communities across the UK that face poverty, disadvantage and deprivation. Living in these communities can be really tough, and it can feel as though there are very few opportunities to improve the quality of life there. Luckily though, there are some very dedicated people living in the heart of those communities who want to make things a lot better for themselves and their neighbours. Comic Relief is supporting them to do just that, and is helping to strengthen communities right across the UK.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence affects hundreds of thousands of families in the UK. Comic Relief has been supporting women experiencing domestic abuse for many years now, and we have recently focused our attention on the affects of domestic abuse on children. Growing up in a household where domestic violence takes place leaves children feeling incredibly frightened and withdrawn from their friends as they struggle to keep secret what is happening to them at home.

People Affected by HIV

Sub-Saharan Africa is more heavily affected by HIV and AIDS than any other region of the world. An estimated 24.5 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2005, and approximately 2.7 million new infections occurred during that year. More than 12 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. In many countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS is erasing decades of progress made in extending life expectancy. Millions of adults are dying young or in early middle age. Average life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa is now 47 years, when it could have been 62 without AIDS.

Women & Girls

African women and girls face huge prejudice and discrimination that prevents them from improving their lives. Women and girls in Africa often find it difficult to come together, have their voices heard and increase their confidence. Comic Relief is supporting women to do just that. We are also supporting poor and disadvantaged women and girls in Africa to have greater access to education, health care and the opportunity for them to earn an income.

People Affected by Conflict

Where conflict occurs, the local population face immense challenges as a result of the fighting. Civil war, armed insurgency and civil unrest bring about deep poverty and immense suffering for local communities. African conflicts are also driven by poverty, as armed groups fight over limited resources. Civilians are hit the hardest when conflict erupts. Those involved in the fighting survive by looting the meagre possessions of poor communities, which leaves those who have little, ending up with absolutely nothing.

People Living in Urban Slums

Urban populations in Africa are growing rapidly due to both natural growth and rural to urban migration. Most of this growth is leading to the mass growth of informal urban settlements. Many people go to towns and cities in search of better lives, hoping to find good jobs and overcome the poverty they face. Instead, they end up living in slums that lack even the most basic of services.

Trade

International trade benefits the world's richest countries but, for the poorest, it often takes out more than it gives back. Trade should be a means by which poor people can lift themselves out of poverty. However, because of international trade rules and practices that are unfairly biased in favour of the richest nations and companies, many poor countries simply cannot compete, and local producers and farmers can barely support their families.