by First Give
2025/26 First Give Student Story Competition
Calling all First Give 2025/26 students!
You and your classmates are part of a community of thousands of young changemakers working to make a difference. Through First Give, you have:
- Identified a social issue affecting your community that feels meaningful to you;
- Partnered with a local charity to learn about their work and support them through social action;
- Planned and delivered a social action project, and taken part in a competition across your year group to try secure your charity a £1,000 cash prize.
We want to hear about your experience!
You are invited to enter the 2025/26 First Give Student Story Competition, giving you a chance to reflect on your First Give journey, telling your story in your own way.
What can I submit?
We welcome creative entries in a variety of formats. Try something that fits your style and strengths. For example:
- Traditional written pieces (e.g. diary entries, articles, letters)
- A zine or mini-magazine where you could combine writing, drawings, photos and collages
- A podcast – why not record yourself as you reflect on your project: what you chose, why it mattered, what you learned, how it changed you.
- A comic or graphic journal / an illustrated story – use panels, images and creative storytelling to show your journey.
- A video or photo journey (with captions or voiceover) capturing the process, the people involved, and the impact.
- A creative performance script such as a monologue, short play or spoken-word poem recounting your First Give experience.
You can combine mediums too: e.g. a podcast with images, or a comic with reflection text. Why not ask your teacher for support or further ideas for how you could communicate your story?
What do I cover?
Your entry might explore:
- Which social issue and charity you and your class chose to support, and why this matters to you
- What you did as part of your social action project, how you delivered it, and what impact you saw
- What you learned about yourself, your community, teamwork, social action, or skills like communication, empathy and leadership
- Challenges you faced along the way (e.g. organising, public speaking, balancing commitments), and how you dealt with them
- How the experience has shaped your thinking, and what you might do going forward, either individually, as a class, or as part of your community
You don’t need to answer all of these questions, but use them as inspiration to consider what feels meaningful to you.
Prizes
Top entries will be awarded as follows:
1st prize: £50 voucher + First Give goodies
2nd prize: £30 voucher + First Give goodies
3rd prize: £20 voucher + First Give goodies
In addition, selected entries may also be featured on the First Give website – a great thing to showcase on your CV or personal profile.
Take a look at last year’s winning entry here!
Eligibility & Submission Guidelines
- This is open to all students participating in First Give during the 2025/26 academic year. You do not have to have been in the presenting team, nor does your class have to have won the £1,000!
- Submissions must be completed individually (no group entries, please).
- If you choose a multimedia format, ensure it meets any technical specifications (e.g. audio quality, legible visuals).
- You must include this cover sheet with your application when you submit.
- Anybody featured in your videos or pictures shared must have given consent for you to use their image. Anybody featured in your entry must complete the consent form.
Incomplete submissions may not be considered.
Submit your entry by emailing it to: youthvoice@firstgive.co.uk.
You must submit your entry by Friday 31st July 2026.
Selected entries may be published on the First Give website.
Good luck!
We can’t wait to see what you create this year, and look forward to seeing and hearing about your First Give stories and experiences. Think of this as a further opportunity to get creative, reflect on your work and growth, and have your voice heard. Best of luck to you all!
