Make a Difference Challenge

Inspire your pupils to lead change!

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 programme 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 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. 

The impact of the Make a Difference Challenge

The Make a Difference Challenge has been running for more than a decade, involving thousands of children and producing many incredible stories of young people’s compassion and resilience. You can read about the difference which children have made to their selected issues and get inspired to lead your own by reading more about some of the Make a Difference Challenge projects. 

Pupil-Powered Projects 

There are two ways in which teachers and educators can access the Make a Difference Challenge:

• through our online Annual Licence;
• through our Premium face-to-face programme (only available in selected areas).

For more details of each of these, plus other social action resources and training available to you, click on the thumbnails below.