BBC Young Reporter Competition: tell us the stories that matter to you
BBC Young Reporters share their stories
(2 months later)
This opportunity is now closed for entries (as of 23:59 on Sunday 6 January) and so it is no longer possible to submit an idea. The winning stories will be announced and broadcast in March 2019.
Experiencing the menopause whilst still a teenager, being a sign language DJ, and supporting a parent with an addiction - these are just a few of the powerful personal stories young people have been sharing with the BBC as part of the BBC Young Reporter Competition.
Are you aged 11-18 and do you have a story you want to tell people about your life, your family or your friends or community?
Twelve finalists, aged between 11 and 18, have been selected from over 1500 entries from across the UK to have their stories broadcast across the BBC.
Is there an issue you feel others should be aware of, which you have experience of or that really matters to you?
Entries were judged by BBC editors, journalists and presenters including Tina Daheley, Clive Myrie, Nikki Fox, Kamal Ahmed, Ricky Boleto and Alex Jones.
The BBC Young Reporter Competition gives young people like you a unique chance to tell their story on TV, radio, online or on social media with the help of BBC journalists, producers and programme makers.
The finalists have been working with BBC journalists and producers to hone their storytelling skills and produce their reports, which will air across the BBC, including Newsbeat, Newsround, The One Show. BBC Three, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC News at Six.
Have you experienced something unique and special that you want others to know about? Is there an issue which affects you or your community that you want to tell others about?
Their stories are being broadcast across the BBC.
Perhaps you or someone close to you has come through a particularly difficult time, or maybe you have achieved something amazing you want to tell others about.
The 12 finalists were recognised at a special awards ceremony where the four overall winners - Annabelle, Eghosa, Salma and Francesca, were also announced.
If so enter the BBC Young Reporter Competition before the closing date (Sunday 6th January 2019).
My Life 11-15 Finalists
The most original and interesting stories will be put in front of a panel of presenters, reporters, senior editors and programme makers from programmes and platforms such as Newsbeat, Newsround, The One Show and BBC Three.
15-year-old Annabelle is on HRT because she is going through an early menopause.
They'll choose the best and most powerful stories - four of which will be made with the winning entrants and will be broadcast by the BBC on either TV, radio, online or social media platforms.
Isabella's story is about what life is like a foster sister.
HOW TO ENTER
When Lottie's dad was knocked off his bike it had a massive impact on the whole family.
There are two categories - My Life and My World. There are two age groups for each of these depending on whether you are aged 11-15 or 16-18. Just enter one category.
My Life 16-18 Finalists
All stories which reach the shortlist stage will be checked prior to final judging to make sure they are factually true and accurate and legally sound. So make sure yours is!
Rhys tells the story of being a disabled boxer.
Stories will be judged on editorial merit - that means the strength of story, originality, and the personal story or background around it. The judges will be looking for a range of diverse stories from across the UK.
16-year-old Jake explains why he's a unique DJ.
Parental permission is needed before you can enter, and if your story is about a sensitive topic, such as your health, your religion or your sexuality then please get your parent/guardian to email us BEFORE you enter at youngreportercompetition@bbc.co.uk so we can offer the relevant advice and support.
As a black, Muslim female footballer Salma wants to challenge stereotypes. The 16-year-old, who plays for Brentford Women's FC, says she wants young girls to realise what is possible. She produced her story with BBC Three.
Any stories which raise concerns about you or another person's safety or welfare may be referred to relevant support services or authorities to investigate.
My World 11-15 Finalists
The rules - or terms and conditions - for the competition are here.
Jovita and her parents are deaf and use British Sign Language to communicate but life outside the home is very different for her.
The privacy notice which tells you how we will use your information is here.
Eghosa shows the local council what living in a one bedroomed house is like.
TIPS FOR ENTERING
11 year old Fatima has decided to wear the hijab. She knows this might incite negative comments and prejudice and wants to share her story to help inform people about the hijab and young people like her and her sisters decide to wear it.
Remember we are after strong powerful personal stories related to subjects not usually broadcast on the BBC. They must be true.
My World 16-18 Finalists
The story must be original and about an issue or a personal experience or insight which has not been widely reported about before and/or reflects the life of the contributor or their friends and/or family.
16-year-old Tia's story is about living with a parent who is an addict. She entered because she wanted to show other people what it was like to live with an addict but also that however bad things get you can recover. Tia shared her story with BBC Newsbeat - read it here.
Each entry will need to answer the following question: Why you want to share your story and what it would mean to you to share your story. That's to give us a bit of background about why you want to tell this story, what it means to you - why is it relevant to you and your life?
Francesca's story is about how social media has made her view her disability differently.
Remember we don't need the finished story, it is just the outline of it we want to hear about - so don't worry too much about how it is written or recorded.
When Tayla's mum died she helped the lives of four strangers. You can listen to her share her story on BBC Radio 5 Live's Afternoon Edition here.
To inspire you here's some examples by young people who have told their stories on the BBC before:
The BBC Young Reporter Competition gives young people a unique chance to tell their story on TV, radio, online or on social media with the help of BBC journalists, producers and programme makers.
Grace wanted to tell others how bullying can be overcome. She worked with the BBC News at Six to share her story.
There were two categories - My Life and My World - and two age groups for each of these, 11-15 or 16-18. The judges were looking for powerful personal stories related to subjects not usually broadcast on the BBC.
And Rony shared his experience of being a Syrian refugee in Birmingham.
Watch a BBC News Channel special programme about the BBC Young Reporter Competition here.
Liv told us about what it's like living with big feet.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCYoungReport./ #BBCYoungReporter
Abbianca thought her school should be doing more to tackle knife crime and a group of students from Kent reported on the experience of not wearing make-up for a day.
