A CHARITY which won a national award in 2014 is urging other groups to enter for the top honour.

The search has begun to find the UK’s 50 most pioneering individuals and organisations who are innovating to confront the biggest problems faced by society today, as New Radicals 2018 opens for entries.

Stay Up Late, a Brighton charity which operates across Sussex, was awarded the title in 2014 for its work enabling people with learning disabilities to go out to clubs, see bands and have fun with the help of volunteers.

It is now calling on other organisations across Sussex to get involved.

Organised by The Observer and innovation foundation Nesta, the public is invited to nominate themselves, or their own projects, other individuals, charities and schemes that are challenging the status quo and working to find solutions and create a positive change.

New Radicals launched in 2012 and is run every two years.

The project, initiative or company must have been in existence for at least six months but not have been in operation before January 2015.

Paul Richards, director of Stay Up Late, said: “Being named as a New Radical was a total ‘game-changer’ for us and we would recommend Sussex based organisations get involved by nominating themselves or others.

“The recognition, and subsequent coverage in the media, led to a huge amount of interest from organisations wanting to partner with us.

“This meant we could turn our Gig Buddies programme into a social franchise (Gig Buddies in a Box).

“We now work with partners from across the UK, as well as as far afield as in Australia, to alleviate social isolation for people with learning disabilities.

“Without the recognition that came with being a New Radical, I doubt we would have had such success in finding brilliant partners to work with to further our cause.

“We’re still a small charity but with a much bigger impact than before.”

Geoff Mulgan, chief executive of Nesta and New Radicals co-founder, said: “Britain has many lists of the rich and powerful and the well-connected.

“With the New Radicals, we’re putting together a different kind of list, a list that could itself be a catalyst for change.

“Our aim is to shine a light on inspiring people and initiatives doing practical work to make the world a better place, often well below the radar of media which tend to focus on what’s going wrong not what’s going right.”

Entries should demonstrate evidence of success and sustainability and show that they are not primarily motivated by profit.

The 50 New Radicals of 2018 will be invited to a celebratory event in London, will join the New Radicals alumni network, now 150 strong, and be given support for their ideas and development.

The public can apply or nominate a group or individual for New Radicals 2018. Visit www.nesta.org.uk/new-radicals to nominate or self-nominate before Sunday April 29.