The Make A Difference Awards have been launched with BBC teams across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland calling on audiences to nominate their local hero.
For the first time, the awards will cover the entire UK, with BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and BBC Radio nan Gaidheal all joining the search for community heroes.
All stations will be part of this annual celebration of kindness, alongside all 39 local BBC radio stations in England.
There are also two new categories introduced this year: The Young Hero Award, which will honour an individual under the age of 16 who has made a significant positive impact in their community, and The Active Award, which will recognise individuals or groups who have used physical activity or sport to improve the lives of those in their community.
Nominations are open now, with Kevin Duala from BBC Radio Merseyside kicking the proceedings off live on The One Show. Morning Live will once again support the Community Group Award.
Listeners can nominate their local heroes in eight categories. Since the awards began in 2022, thousands of listeners have nominated people from where they live who go that extra mile for their communities.
The aim is to shine a light on these every day, unsung heroes. Nominations close at 5pm on Monday 31st March.
Winners will be announced at Make a Difference Awards events hosted by local and national BBC radio stations across the country in September.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC Director of Nations, said: “For the first time, BBC Make a Difference will celebrate the achievements of community heroes right across the UK – inspirational individuals and teams who go the extra mile to strengthen our villages, towns and cities. It’s a wonderful celebration of the human spirit and I can’t wait to hear the remarkable stories of those nominated.”
Categories 2025:
The Volunteer Award – awarded to an individual who makes a notable
difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help
others.
The Young Hero Award – awarded to someone under 16 who has made a
positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.
The Great Neighbour Award – awarded to an individual who helps to make
the neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular
basis or through a single act of kindness.
The Active Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who have
used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those
in their community.
The Animal Award – awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves
people’s lives, or an individual or group of people who improve the
welfare of animals.
The Green Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who
improve or conserve their local environment.
The Fundraiser Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who
have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.
The Community Group Award – awarded to a group of people who have helped
to change the lives of others within their community.
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