Small Changes, Big Impact – 2026 VCSE Active Competition

What's the Small Changes Big Impact Competition?

We’re shining a spotlight on the amazing ways Calderdale’s VCSE organisations are already bringing movement into everyday life often through simple, meaningful changes that make a big difference.

Introducing Small Changes Big Impact, a borough-wide photo and video competition celebrating the creative ways physical activity is woven into your services. This is your chance to showcase the brilliant things you’re already doing or to use the January–March competition window as an opportunity to try out new, physical activity boosting ideas. Big or small, structured or simple every change matters!

From a gentle stretch before a community meal to a walk-and-talk with service users, or a playful moment built into a craft session. These small changes can spark powerful improvements in physical and mental wellbeing.

If you have a moment that shows how movement plays a part in your day big or small we’d love to see it. Simply share a short video or a photo with a description that brings that story to life and shows the positive impact on the people you work with.

Who can join?

Any VCSE organisation based in Calderdale is welcome to get involved. You’re free to submit as many entries as you like, and we may ask for confirmation of VCSE status during the process.

Why should you join?

  • Celebrate your work and showcase the creative ways you embed movement into everyday support.
  • Inspire others across the VCSE sector to take small steps towards more active lifestyles.
  • Promote inclusion and representation by highlighting the voices and stories within your community.
  • Be in with a chance to win a prize!

Two Winners - £1000 each

10 x £100 runner up prizes

How to participate

  • Capture a meaningful moment that shows movement in action. This could include big group activities, gentle stretches, active play, outdoor adventures, or everyday movement—anything that fits the theme.
  • Create either a photo or a short video (with narration or speaking). All photos and videos must be submitted with a short description explaining what’s happening and how the activity supports movement. You can submit as many photos and videos as you like, so don’t be afraid to share all the great ways you’re embedding movement into your work.
  • Make sure you’ve collected all required GDPR permissions—this will be confirmed as part of the submission process.
  • Submit your entry using the online form at: https://airtable.com/appYlfgxz3qvzBhEz/pagsVhjeEToisjtqE/form

All entries must be submitted by 23.59pm on Thursday 26 March. 

Entries received after this time will not be included in the competition.

Please read the terms and conditions included in the online form before you submit your entry.

1. Promoter

The promoter of this competition are Voluntary & Community (VAC) , referred to as “the Promoter”.

2. Eligibility

  • The competition is open to VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) organisations based in Calderdale.
  • Individuals may submit entries on behalf of their organisation.
  • The Promoter reserves the right to request evidence of VCSE status at any stage.
  • Employees of the Promoter, members of the judging panel and their family members are not eligible to enter.

3. Competition Period

  • The competition opens on Thursday 15th January 2026 and closes at 23:59 on Thursday 26th March 2026.
  • Entries submitted outside this period will not be considered.

4. How to Enter

  • Entry is free of charge.
  • Organisations may submit multiple entries.
  • Each entry must consist of:
  • A photograph or a short video, and
  • A written description explaining the activity, context, and impact.
  • All required GDPR and consent confirmations must be completed as part of the submission process.

5. Content Requirements

Entries must:

  • Demonstrate how movement or physical activity is embedded into everyday services or activities.
  • Align with the competition theme “Small Changes, Big Impact”.
  • Be original and created by, or with permission from, the submitting organisation.
  • Not contain content that is offensive, misleading, or unlawful.

6. Judging Process

This is a skill-based competition. Winners will be selected by an independent judging panel based on merit.

Each entry will be scored out of 100 points, using the following criteria:

  1. Small Changes, Big Impact – Small, achievable implementations that support everyday movement (Up to 20 points)
  2. Impact & Outcomes – Positive effects on the community and service users, proportionate to the size and reach of the organisation (Up to 20 points)
  3. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) – Inclusion of people facing barriers to being active, and adaptations made to support participation (Up to 20 points)
  4. Creativity & Engagement – Innovative or engaging ways movement is introduced, including visual quality of the submission (Up to 20 points)
  5. Quality of Submission & Storytelling – Clear narrative describing what happened and the impact achieved (Up to 20 points)

The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding scoring or outcomes.

7. Prizes

  • 2 winners will each receive £1,000.
  • 10 runners-up will each receive £100.
  • Prizes will be paid to the organisation, not to individuals.
  • No cash alternative or substitution is available.

8. Winner Notification

  • Winners will be notified using the contact details provided during submission.
  • If a winner cannot be contacted within 14 days, the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to the next highest-scoring entry.

9. Use of Entries

By entering, organisations grant the Promoter and We’re All Active Calderdale a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to:

  • Share submitted photos, videos, and descriptions
  • Use them for promotional, reporting, and evaluation purposes related to the competition and physical activity initiatives

This may include use on websites, social media, reports, and presentations. Credit will be given where reasonably possible.

10. Data Protection & GDPR

  • Entrants confirm that they have obtained informed consent from all identifiable individuals featured in submissions.
  • Personal data will be processed in accordance with UK GDPR and used solely for administering the competition and related communications.

11. Liability

  • The Promoter accepts no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, corrupted, or incomplete due to technical issues.
  • The Promoter reserves the right to amend, suspend, or cancel the competition if circumstances arise outside its control.

12. General

  • By clicking the box below and submitting an entry, entrants agree to these Terms & Conditions.

VAC + Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector.

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

40% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

25% Discount on Virtual Office – Perfect for start ups or smaller organisations, our Virtual Office service offers a postal address, pigeonhole and reception facilities.

25% Discount on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.  As a VAC + Member, you will receive a considerable discount on all VAC Training and Events.

VAC Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector. 

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

20% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

Competitive rate on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.