BBC Leicester has opened nominations for the fifth annual Make a Difference Awards, the station’s celebration of individuals, groups and animals whose voluntary work has transformed life in communities across Leicestershire.
Communities Editor Jo Bostock told Pukaar the awards grew out of the Covid pandemic, when the BBC team were contacted repeatedly by listeners telling stories of neighbours, volunteers and grassroots groups stepping up to support one another.
“Once we were through the real tough part of that we thought, hang on, there’s a way to celebrate this,” said Jo. “There’s a way to really recognise these people that go above and beyond.”
Picture credit: BBC Radio Leicester
Nominations open today (Monday, 23 February) at 7pm, when the BBC’s One Show will launch the campaign nationally. Entry is free, but there are a few rules: people cannot nominate themselves, and those who are trustees or founders may not nominate the community group in which they hold that role.
Eight categories will be contested this year, unchanged from 2025 apart from a renamed category: the former Green Award is now the Environment Award to broaden its appeal. The full list comprises Young Hero (under 16), Environment, Volunteer, Great Neighbour, Fundraiser, Active (recognising those who make a difference through sport and physical activity), Community Group and Animal.
Picture credit: BBC Radio Leicester
Jo emphasised the awards are aimed at people who go beyond the call of duty. “We’re not looking for people who are doing their job – we’re looking for those doing that extra, who are making lives amazing,” she said. She gave the example of a previous Great Neighbour winner who, after a traumatic incident involving a disabled neighbour, channelled his experience into creating wider disability support for other young people.
Applicants must complete an online nomination form at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference and are asked to use a 250?word statement to explain why their nominee merits recognition. Ms Bostock urged nominators to use that space well: “Give us the story, give us the emotion… that is what the judges will say. We’ve had brilliant people nominated but sometimes only a couple of sentences – judges need more to judge properly.”
The process is designed to be accessible. BBC Leicester offers an AI translation tool for nominations in other languages and a voice?record option for people who find typing difficult; however, voice entries are also limited to the 250 word equivalent.
Past winners report lasting benefits from the recognition. Ms Bostock said finalists have kept in touch and described feeling part of “the BBC family” after being celebrated. The awards have also left a tangible legacy: a BBC Make a Difference Woodland in The National Forest, where trees have been planted to commemorate winners.
Judging is carried out in two rounds. After initial checks at Radio Leicester to remove duplicate or non compliant entries, first round judges select a shortlist for each category, followed by a final panel who decide the winners.
Nominations open on 23 February at 7pm. For full terms and to enter, visit bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.
