Although you must nominate a charity registered in the UK, you can elect to work either here in the UK or overseas, depending on what the charity can offer you.

You must liaise with your chosen charity and agree on a plan before sending us your application. They will need to know that you are applying and they should be able to assist you with some advice on how to make your application successful.

Please provide us with contact details at your nominated charity to demonstrate that you have their support. Unfortunately, without these details your application will be automatically discounted.

You don’t even need to have volunteered in the past. If you have always wanted to work for your dream charity but have never had the opportunity, this is your chance to show what you have to offer.

Although the application limit has a set word count of 350 words per question, don’t feel you have to use every single word. If you can state your case in less, it won’t hinder your submission.

Make sure that your contact details are correct and will still be valid until the end of August. Please also ensure that you provide a mobile number in case we can’t reach you on your home phone during working hours. If you will be on holiday in late August, a mobile contact is particularly important, as this is when we will be telephone-interviewing shortlisted candidates to decide who will be one of 20 finalists invited to meet our judging panel in London at the beginning of September.

We’d suggest that you prepare your answers in advance and paste them into your application - this should make the form easier for you to complete.

Don't hurry. Take your time to build your case and you’ll have more chance of getting through to the final and hopefully becoming one of the lucky chosen four.

In your application, you’ll need to state your plans and outline your goals for the year. The more you prove to us that you have the passion, knowledge, skills and qualities to achieve your aims, the more chance of success you will have.

If you have any questions that can’t be answered by the information in this site, please contact worldofdifference@vodafone.com.

Take your time when filling out the form. This is your chance to change your life and make a World of Difference.

Good luck!

Monday 30 June 2008 - Applications open

Thursday 31 July 2008 - Applications close

Wednesday 17 September 2008 - Successful applicants are announced. If you reach the final shortlist, you will have been contacted by the end of August.

Monday 1 December 2008 - Successful applicants start work. You’ll be able to follow their progress throughout the year on this site