Make a Difference: Hampshire, Dorset and IoW Episodes Episode guide
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Community Group Award Winners: 4Ps Project
The 4Ps Project at Vectis Radio in Newport won the Community Group Award.
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Volunteer Award Winner: Charlotte Blanchard
Charlotte Blanchard won the Volunteer Award in the Make a Difference Awards.
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Great Neighbour Award Winner: Carole Taylor
Carole Taylor won the Great Neighbour Award in the Make a Difference Awards for 2026.
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Young Hero Award Winner: Teddy
Teddy won the Young Hero Award in BBC Radio Solent's Make a Difference Awards for 2026.
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Environmental Award Winners: Victoria Road Gardeners
Victoria Road Gardeners in Woolston won the Environmental Award.
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Fundraiser Award Winner: Russell Matthews
Russell Matthews won the Fundraiser Award in BBC Radio Solent's Make a Difference Awards.
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Conor helps to find vulnerable missing people
Conor from Southampton volunteers as a dog handler with Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs.
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Angela helps cats that need re-homing
Angela has been volunteering at a cat re-homing charity in Portsmouth for nine years.
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Meet Alfred - a disability support dog
Alfred is a disability support dog and provides physical support to his owner.
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Coaching gymnastics in Havant over 40 years
John from Havant has been coaching and mentoring grass-routes gymnastics for 44 years.
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Fareham Running Club's food bank deliveries
Fareham Running Club founded the national Food Bank Run campaign.
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"Gloves not blades" initiative at Portsmouth gym
The Artful Dodger Boxing Academy in Portsmouth provides a safe space for young people.
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Antony runs a pan disability football team
Antony Waghorn from Southampton runs a pan disability football team.
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"I just want people to feel better"
Irene builds community, reduces loneliness and creates belonging where she lives.
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Nancy set up deaf awareness classes in her village
Nancy Weatherson from Milford on Sea set up deaf awareness classes in her village.
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"I just love being with people"
Helen Pain from Southampton is a finalist in the Great Neighbour category.
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Community cafe brings people together
Community café in Poole brings people together through coffee, creativity and connection.
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Building confidence in deaf children in Portsmouth
The Saturday Kids Zone in Portsmouth provides a welcoming space for deaf children..
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Community Group Award Finalists: Breakout Youth
Breakout Youth supports LGBTQ+ young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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Youth group providing safe space for young people
Breakout Youth supports LGBTQ+ young people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
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Charity supporting unseen victims of addiction
Parent Support Link helps families cope with a loved one's drug or alcohol addiction.
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Radio project boosting confidence in young people
The 4Ps Project in Newport uses radio broadcasting to build confidence in young people.
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Dawn's supported 1000 children with their reading.
Dawn Haig-Thomas from the Isle of Wight has been a school reader volunteer since 2023.
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Charlotte's volunteered for youth group for 25 years
Charlotte Blanchard started the Space Youth Project in Dorset in 2001.
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Jacob uses magic to fundraise
Jacob from Poole does card tricks on magic videos raising £5000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK
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Harrison fundraises to help other deaf children
Harrison from Christchurch fundraises and raises awareness for his deaf community.
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Teddy has saved thousands of sweet tubs from landfill
Teddy from Southampton has saved 11,000 plastic sweet tubs from ending up in landfill.
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Volunteers brightening up Wimborne
The Monday Morning Volunteers keep the streets of Wimborne looking beautiful.
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Bedhampton volunteers improve local environment
The Bedhampton Volunteers have created and maintained 70 gardens over the past 23 years.
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Guerrilla Gardeners transforming Poole
Guerrilla Gardeners from Poole are finalists in BBC Make a Difference Awards