Make a Difference
Every day the BBC where you live brings communities together to make a difference close to home.
Our awards are now closed
Celebrating people who are going above and beyond to make a difference where you live, these awards are a chance to say thank you and recognise people and animals who make life better for others.
Please read through our categories below.
You can nominate anyone of any age, however we ask that you are aged 18 or over to submit an entry.
Visit our awards page to read more about each category, view our nomination tips or hear from previous finalists.
The awards closed on Sunday 10 March 2024 at 11pm. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and awards will be given in each category, across each local BBC radio station. Click here for full award rules and our privacy notice.
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Visit our awards page
Find more details, category information, nomination tips and clips from previous winners.
Click on a category to enter
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Volunteer Award
Awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.
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Community Award
The Morning Live Make a Difference Community Award is awarded to an individual or group of people who have helped to genuinely change the lives of others within their community.
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Fundraiser Award
Awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.
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Great Neighbour Award
Awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.
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Carer Award
Awarded to someone who improves the life of an individual or group of people through their helpfulness, compassion and support.
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Bravery Award
Awarded to an individual or group of people who has shown outstanding courage, defiance and duty in the face of perceived danger, fear or difficulty.
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The Green Award
Awarded to an individual or group of people who help to make where we live more environmentally friendly and better for nature.
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The Animal Award
Awarded to an animal that improves the life of an individual or group of people. Or, a person or group of people working with animals to improve animal welfare.
About
What is Make a Difference?
We launched at the beginning of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, as a virtual notice board for those able to offer help and those needing support.
To date, over ten million people have got involved in Make a Difference across local and Nations BBC radio stations.
In September, we celebrate with local heroes at special awards ceremonies across the country, shining a light on people going above and beyond in their local communities.
Find out how the BBC radio station where you live is making a difference
Nations
Click here to find contact details to get in touch directly with stations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Discover more
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Podcasts and Series
Explore and listen to comedy, faith, politics and real-life stories from BBC radio teams local to you.
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BBC Introducing
Bringing together all of the BBC's supporters of unsigned music. Upload your music to your local BBC radio station.
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Upload
Sharing your audio, video, text and images on air and across local BBC radio digital platforms.
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A Voice for Nature
Sir David Attenborough invites us all to join him and speak up on behalf of planet Earth.
Helping you
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BBC Headroom
Headroom is the BBC’s toolkit for your mental health. Mindful tips. Mood mixes. Motivation.
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Get creative
BBC Arts brings together arts, culture and resources to help you be creative at home.
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All about the money
Advice, tips and links to help with finance and money management.
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Memory Radio
Designed to use music to help people reconnect with their most powerful memories.
Helping the family
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Behind the Bandana
Pudsey’s has removed his bandana to encourage conversations that can help.
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Tiny Happy People
Explore simple activities, play ideas and find out more about your child's early development.
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Learn and revise
BBC Bitesize shares lessons with videos, activities and more.
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BBC Young Reporter
Supporting young people to develop content creation skills and share their own stories.
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Explore
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