Make a Difference in a Day

Drop down day for primary schools

The Make a Difference in a Day resource pack has been created for teachers who want to deliver a drop down day with children focusing on making a difference to a community space that’s important to them.

This free package of resources comprises:

• Set of teachers’ notes;
• PowerPoint slides;
• Pupil workbook;
• Social action activity suggestions;
• Stimulus pictures.

Taken together, the resources lead children through a mini community project focused on an issue identified as a local concern, such as tackling the problem of air pollution caused by traffic, protecting local biodiversity, improving access to community buildings or tackling issues of litter and plastic pollution.

Make a Difference in a Day is designed to be used with either the whole school, a year group, or a single class. It’s primarily pitched at key stage 2 pupils, but can be adapted for younger – or older – pupils. The social action activities suggested can be completed inside the school gates (or in small bubbles outside them) – and take into account COVID restrictions.

At a time when children’s mental health is being talked about constantly, group projects which enable them to be part of something bigger than themselves are proven to help reduce anxiety as children look beyond themselves and their immediate needs. The activities in this resource remind children that they CAN take control, and that they can make a difference to the world around them, meaning that their contribution to communities, however small, will be felt even now during this turbulent period of our history.

The production of this resource was made possible through generous funding from the Co-op Community Foundation Community Spaces programme, which encourages and supports young people to identify and improve community spaces near them for the benefit of other young people and the wider community. 

Suggested next steps:

• Browse case studies of youth-led action;
• Check out the free online course Social Action in Community Spaces;
• After your drop down experience, progress to the full Make a Difference Challenge.