Nominations open for BBC Make a Difference Awards

Nominations have opened for BBC Make a Difference Awards which aim to celebrate remarkable individuals who go "above and beyond" to improve life in their communities.

BBC Radio London wants to highlight those people whose brilliant efforts deserve wider recognition, with awards spanning eight different categories.

The annual Make a Difference campaign was first set up by the BBC at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020 to connect those seeking help with those offering support.

Applications close on Tuesday 31 March at 17:00 BST and ceremonies will take place across the UK in September 2026.

Nominations can be submitted through an online form via bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

This year's award categories are:

• The Volunteer Award for an individual who makes a notable difference to the community by giving their time voluntarily to help others
• The Community Group Award for a group who have helped to change the lives of others within their community
• The Fundraiser Award for an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause
• The Young Hero Award for an under-16 individual or group of under 16s who have made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional
• The Great Neighbour Award for someone 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
• The Active Award for 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 Environmental Award for an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment
• The Animal Award for a remarkable animal that improves people's lives or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals

Some of last year's recipients have shared what the recognition means to them and how it has helped drive their work forward.

2025's Volunteer Award winner, Jack Percival from Epsom, Surrey, founded Percy's Homeless Hub after experiencing homelessness and mental health struggles first-hand.

With the help of a friend and a second-hand van, he now provides hot food to up to 150 people every Monday in Croydon, south London, and the charity also supports people battling addiction through detox programmes.

He said: "It was very overwhelming but yes, it was nice to be recognised.

"I walked up on that stage, and I got a standing ovation.

"I just broke down in tears because it was a lot to look back to where I was when I was back in the psychiatric hospital. I didn't think I would ever recover."

Recently Percival ran 223 miles (359km) in nine days raising around £13,000 for charity.

Over the past year, he began building a public speaking career, sharing his experiences of mental health and trauma, and also runs a weekly men's talking group in Epsom called Percy's Honest Hour.

He said people should support grassroots organisations and individuals by submitting nominations, adding: "If you think that someone needs to be recognised for their work within the community, then go for it because it will spur them on to do more in the long run."

Idris Patel, founder of the charity Supporting Humanity, won last year's Fundraiser Award after hosting an event that raised more than £214,000 for the people of Sudan and Palestine.

The charity mainly supports residents across seven east and north-east London boroughs – but runs one major fundraiser each year during Ramadan for international causes.

Reflecting on what the award and outcome of the fundraiser meant to him, Patel said: "The confidence and the trust that people put in us is overwhelming."

Supporting Humanity began during the pandemic, after the NHS sought help with mortuary capacity and thoughtful Muslim burials at a time when people often could not say goodbye to their loved ones physically.

Volunteers also provided free hot meals to exhausted staff working long shifts.

As calls for help grew, the team increasingly heard from people dealing with the wider impacts of Covid, including mental health challenges which the charity now provides help with.

Over the past year, Supporting Humanity began expanding into areas such as dementia, certain cancers, and general health and wellbeing – aiming to plug gaps in support and help bridge health inequalities.

Patel also encouraged the public to get involved in the Make a Difference Awards by putting forward someone worthy of recognition.

He said: "Just knowing that you were nominated could make a big difference in someone's life.

"It could make a person who was having doubts about the work that they've done change their mind-set and encourage them to keep doing the work that they're doing.

"On awards day I saw young people, older people, people of all ethnicities, all ages, all religions being recognised for their work – everyone was a winner on that day."

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