Get your votes in now for the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2020

There are less than two weeks left to submit your nominations for the 7th annual Child Friendly Leeds Awards.

Child Friendly Leeds is on the lookout for truly inspiring stories about the amazing people, places and organisations that help make Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up in.

The prestigious awards will take place in February 2020 and the chance to have your say on who picks up the coveted prizes on the night will come to a close on Friday 25^th October 2019.

The Child Friendly Leeds Awards is not just an opportunity to celebrate the great work carried out by our dedicated child friendly champions – it’s also an event for kids by kids.

An enthusiastic panel of young people, supported by Leeds City Varieties and Leeds City Council, is organising and will deliver the awards – demonstrating the value Leeds places on the voice and influence of its youngest residents.

Through harnessing their talent and creativity, the city can continue to deliver on its pledge to put children and young people at the heart of everything it does – placing them at the forefront of the highly anticipated awards. The energy that the young people bring has inevitably contributed to the Child Friendly Leeds Awards becoming a flagship event in the city.

The Youth Planning Group will be meeting soon to decide the theme for the 2020 awards – last year’s group decided on ‘Superheroes’, with Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and many more showing up on the night!

The ceremony recognises the achievements of the city’s children and young people as well as the individuals, places and organisations that help to drive forward Leeds’ Child Friendly ambitions. A particular tribute is paid to the help ad support available for those children and young people who may have additional challenges – including children who are looked after by the Council, or are particularly vulnerable, and those with additional needs or disabilities.

See below for a list of categories and to find out how you can place your nominations for the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2020!

Councillor Fiona Venner, executive member for children and families, said:

“It is fantastic to see how the Child Friendly Leeds Awards has grown over the last 7 years. Each year, we are able to recognise and celebrate more of those individuals and organisations who are contributing to our ambition to make Leeds a truly child friendly city.

“There are so many people, places and organisations deserving of the prestigious awards, so I really encourage as many people as possible to put forward a nomination in recognition of some of the incredible support being offered to children and young people across our city. It’s not long until nominations close – so get yours in before it’s too late!”

Tony Edwards from Herd Farm, last year’s winner of the Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People award, said:

“All the team at Herd Farm Residential & Activity Centre were so proud to be nominated and ultimately be twice winners as ‘The Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People’. We know the benefit a high quality resource such as Herd Farm brings to young people’s experience and learning, but for those same young people and staff, our customers to vote for us recognising their own personal journey really shows the value Herd Farm contributes towards the Child Friendly approach in Leeds.”

Lisa James, last year’s winner of the Adult Making a Difference for Children and Young People award, said:

"Last year I was nominated and it felt such a privilege to be recognised, but to actually win overall was the best feeling in the world. I love the work I do with families and I can't thank those enough who nominated”.

ENDS

Notes:

The eight categories are:

Child of the Year (under 11)

This award recognises an amazing child (under 11 years) who has made a difference in Leeds. For example, someone who works with their friends, family and community to help and inspire others and effect positive change.

Young Person of the Year (11 – 21)

This award recognises an amazing young person aged 11 - 21 years (or 25 with additional needs) who has made a difference in Leeds. For example, someone who works with their friends, family and community to help and inspire others and effect positive change.

Youth Group of the Year (up to 25)

This award recognises an inspirational youth group whose members are up to the age of 25 years who have made a difference in Leeds. For example, a group who work together to help and inspire others and effect positive change in their local community or city.

Adult Making a Difference for Children and Young People (adult 21 years and above)

This award is for someone doing extraordinary things to improve the lives of children and young people in Leeds. For example, someone who cares for, inspires or supports young people, and who gives them a voice and influence in decisions that affect them.

Communities and Schools Working Together

This award recognises the invaluable support that pupils and schools receive from their local community. We’re looking for local organisations, educators or individuals from outside the school’s regular staff, who work with, or in schools to inspire, inform or support pupils. For example, a local business that teaches enterprise skills to your pupils or an intergenerational project that brings younger and older members of the community together.

Inspiring Creativity Through Arts and Culture

This award recognises the fantastic opportunities and invaluable support that children and young people receive from the arts and cultural organisations or individual artists/practitioners in Leeds who engage, inspire and motivate children and young people, through activity delivered either in or out of school. This might include film, drama, dance, art and music opportunities delivered by companies, organisations, museums, galleries, libraries, community groups or individuals.

Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People

This award recognises a fantastic place for children and young people in Leeds. For example somewhere that children and young people find welcoming, is inclusive to all, fun, safe, clean and inspiring.

Overall Contribution to Making Leeds a Child Friendly City

This award is given to a business/organisation making a significant contribution to our child friendly city ambitions. It could involve a business working directly with children and young people, including them in decision making, mentoring them, running activities or creating career opportunities e.g. offering a supported internship.

To make your nominations, please visit:

https://surveys.leeds.gov.uk/s/5N7WC/

For more information about the learning programme at City Varieties, including tours, talks, workshops and projects for schools, community groups and adults, please visit: www.cityvarieties.co.uk/Online/joinin