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  1. What we do
  2. Programmes
  3. Make a Difference Challenge

Make a Difference Challenge

Inspire your pupils to lead change locally!

Making a difference to society

The Make a Difference Challenge is a child-led social action programme that empowers our youngest citizens to be community change-makers. The project challenges pupils to research and identify a social or environmental issue that they feel passionate about. Issues could be anything from homelessness to racism to climate change. Pupils then make a difference to their issue through awareness raising, fundraising or taking practical action. The Make a Difference Challenge provides an excellent context for meaningful SMSC learning, pupil voice and character development.

This project enables primary aged children to get a real understanding of the issues communities face, and take the lead in addressing the causes or effects of their chosen issues. Pupils may learn to empathise with those who are disadvantaged, recognise the role of government, voluntary groups and charitable organisations and consider the part they can play in bringing about positive change. There are two ways in which teachers can access the Make a Difference Challenge: through our online Annual Licence, or through our Premium face to face programme (only available in some areas). For more details of each of these click on the thumbnails below.

The impact of the Make a Difference Challenge

The Make a Difference Challenge has been running for more than a decade and has produced incredible stories of young people’s generosity and resilience. Last year, 62 schools and over 2,400 pupils from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Durham, Leeds, London, Northern Ireland and Surrey took part and made a difference to causes they cared passionately about.

Get inspired by pupil-powered projects or explore the different delivery options below.

Social Action in Community Spaces

Social Action in Community Spaces

ONLINE TRAINING: This FREE one hour CPD certified online course is an introduction to the importance of supporting children and young people to take a lead in improving the physical landscape of where they live. Read more... Read more

Published: 18th May, 2020

Updated: 12th January, 2021

Author: Yvonne Richards

Related topics:
  • Make a Difference Challenge
  • Training
Make a Difference Challenge - annual licence

Make a Difference Challenge - annual licence

ONLINE PACKAGE: Your Make a Difference Challenge Annual Licence package includes online CPD certified training and a wealth of resources to guide, inspire and support quality social action in your primary school. Read more

Published: 15th May, 2020

Updated: 8th July, 2020

Author: Richard John

Related topics:
  • Make a Difference Challenge
  • Training
Make a Difference Challenge (premium package)

Make a Difference Challenge (premium package)

IN-SCHOOL & ONLINE TRAINING: Our Make a Difference Challenge (premium package) includes a whole-day training session, an annual licence to run the programme in your school and access to our online training. Read more

Published: 6th August, 2019

Updated: 19th October, 2020

Author: Richard John

Related topics:
  • Make a Difference Challenge
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Showing 10 of 3

Latest

  • Young Citizens receives Co-op Foundation grant

    Young Citizens receives Co-op Foundation grant

    Young Citizens receives Co-op Foundation grant to extend our work empowering young people to improve community spaces

  • The Importance of SMSC for young people

    The Importance of SMSC for young people

    Jo Cooke, Head of Pastoral Care at Holme Grange School, describes her school's experience of The National SMSC Quality Mark. Her blog shares how they embed their SMSC provision, learning and development. Hear Jo's account...

  • Teaching Social Action and Digital Citizenship in the Age of Social Media

    Teaching Social Action and Digital Citizenship in the Age of Social Media

    Young people are increasingly exposed to digital devices and the internet, and for many it's second nature to share their lives virtually. Let's teach them how to use technology to support safe, ethical and responsible digital citizenship.

  • The Big Legal Lesson 2021

    The Big Legal Lesson 2021

    To support Justice Week 2021, we'll be running The Big Legal Lesson, for thousands of pupils to learn about the law and the justice system. And we've created a free teaching resource to support teachers during the week, in both primary and secondary schools. Sign up for The Big Legal Lesson here!

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  • British values

    British values

  • Importance of citizenship education

    Importance of citizenship education

  • 7. The importance of citizenship education

  • Free SMSC Resource for Key Stage 2

    Would you like a free lesson to help you develop KS2 children's SMSC learning? This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Democracy" and "Protecting Local Habitats".

  • Go-Givers Free Trial Pack

    Would you like a free trial pack of lessons to support pupils' SMSC learning? This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Plastic Pollution" and "Taking Responsibility" for KS1 children and the lessons "Democracy" and "Protecting Local Habitats" for KS2 children.

  • Mock Trials

    Mock Trials

    The Mock Trials are an effective and fun way of helping young people understand how the judicial system works. Learn how you can get involved...

  • Why teach citizenship?

    Why teach citizenship?

  • Lowering the voting age to 16

    Lowering the voting age to 16

    Here, we give teachers a little support for debating the topic in class with students. Do young people of this age know enough about politics yet? And if they could vote, can they be trusted to do it sensibly?

  • Free SMSC Resources for Key Stage 1

    Would you like some free lessons to help you develop KS1 children's SMSC learning? This trial pack of lessons from our Go-Givers website contains the lessons "Plastic Pollution" and "Taking Responsibility"

  • Introduction

    Introduction

    We are an education charity that inspires young people to play an active role in society. Find out more...

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curriculum games Highbury Corner key stage 2 ks2 Magistrates' Court Mock Trial Competition MCMT Mock trials scheme of work worksheets
I’ve just got my money back via a ‘Small Claims Court’. Would young people know they can do that?

I’ve just got my money back via a ‘Small Claims Court’. Would young people know they can do that?

Our CEO tells of his own recent experience of using the law to protect his rights, and explains why basic legal understanding is vitally important for all young people, if they're to be confident young citizens. Read more

Published: 12th March, 2018

Updated: 18th September, 2018

Author: Tom Franklin

Related topics:
  • Blog

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Young Citizens
37 Heneage Street, London E1 5LJ.

Phone +44 (0)20 7566 4141
Email [email protected]

Registered charity no. 801360