Shortlist revealed for the 2015 child friendly Leeds awards

Picture caption: "The members of 'Thumbs Up Productions' who have organised the Child Friendly Leeds Awards ceremony."



The names of the people, places and organisations shortlisted for the 2015 Child Friendly Leeds awards have now been revealed.



The winners will be officially announced at a prestigious awards ceremony which will be held at the Leeds City Varieties on the 29 January.



There were an astounding 547 nominations received for the second annual Leeds City Council child friendly Leeds awards. This made selecting shortlist an extremely difficult job for the awards judging panel. Five winners will be chosen from the 25 nominees on the shortlist. British Gas, a major employer in Leeds, is sponsoring the awards this year.



Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council executive member for children’s services and member of the judging panel, said:

“We were really amazed by the sheer number and quality of nominations received and touched by the commitment and hard work shown by all those nominated for an award.



“There are some fantastic people, places and organisations dedicated to making Leeds a better city for children and young people and it’s great that we have such a unique opportunity, through these awards, to celebrate their work.



“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to nominate what a wonderful way to recognise some of the work being done across the city to improve the lives of children and young people and make Leeds a child friendly city.”



Nigel Richardson, director for Leeds children’s services, said:

“Becoming a child friendly city is something that everybody can get involved in. So many people across the city have got right behind our ambition and these awards are a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate their great work and achievements.”



Sarah Fanthorpe, head of customer service for British Gas at the Newbridge House contact centre said:

“Many of our 2,300 people employed in Yorkshire have young families, that’s why we are pleased to support the awards again this year.



“I would like to congratulate all the finalists whose work helps support this great campaign to make Leeds a safer place for our young people to grow up in.”



A winner in each of the five nomination categories will be announced at the awards ceremony at Leeds City Varieties on 29 January 2015.



The individuals, groups and organisations who have been shortlisted in each of the five categories are:



Best place for children and young people in Leeds

• Belle Isle Family Centre, health for all

• Herd Farm Residential and Activity Centre

• Meanwood Valley Urban Farm

• SCRAP centre of creative reuse, play and learning

• The Works Skatepark Charity



Looking after children and young people

• Al Osta - Youth Employability Scheme (YES)

• Marvina Babs-Apata - Project Manager Angel of Youths/ Nigerian Community Leeds

• Melanie Metcalfe

• Stacey Robertson - youth worker for groups ‘Out 2-25’ and ‘Transtastic Leeds’

• Tim McSharry - Access Committee for Leeds (ACL)



Children’s champion: individual or group under 11

• Brooke Taylor

• Evie Addelman

• Jake Frood

• Kayleigh Glancy

• New Bewerley Community School, school council



Children’s champion: individual or group age 11- 18

• Aimee Grayston

• Have A Voice - Children in Care Council

• Osauyimwen (Uyi) Ogieva

• Rebecca Slatcher

• Swarcliffe Youth Matters group



Best overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city

• Leeds Rhinos Foundation

• Opera North Children’s Chorus

• Prince Philip Centre PHAB Club Leeds

• REEMAP's Junior Fellowship Project

• Central Yorkshire Scouts, Leeds area



Details of the nominations can be found on the Child Friendly Leeds website: https://childfriendlyleeds.wordpress.com/awards/



The whole event has been organised by a group of nine young people called ‘Thumbs Up Productions’ – some as young as 12 – who are currently busy making the final preparations for the prestigious awards ceremony which will be watched by an audience of around 350 people including a number of city leaders and VIPs.



These will include the Lord Mayor, the executive member responsible for children’s services, Councillor Judith Blake and director for children’s services, Nigel Richardson and chief executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan.



Thumbs Up Productions have planned every detail, from the design of the trophies and decorations, to selecting the young performers from Breeze Has Talent who will entertain guests on the night. They are also responsible for hosting guests on the night.



The awards are hosted by the Leeds City Varieties are sponsored by British Gas, run in partnership with the Yorkshire Evening Post and supported by Marks &Spencer and First Direct Arena.



The 2015 child friendly Leeds awards judging panel includes:

• Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council executive member for children’s services

• Eriq Muthemba, from British Gas

• Jamie Jones Buchanan and Danny McGuire, Leeds Rhinos players

• Andrew Eastwood, Partner Head Teacher

• Nicola Furbisher, managing editor for the Yorkshire Evening Post

• Sue Rumbold, Chief Officer Children’s Services

• Ann Pemberton, third sector representative

• A group of Leeds young people.



For more information about the awards ceremony please follow @child_leeds on Twitter and use the #CFLawards hashtag.



Leeds City Council and its partners are working to make Leeds to be the best place for children and young people to grow up in. To find out more about what is happening and how people can get involved, visit http://www.leeds.gov.uk/childfriendlyleeds



People who would like to help the city achieve its child friendly Leeds ambition can become a child friendly ambassador. To find out more, please contact child friendly Leeds at childfriendlyleeds@leeds.gov.uk



ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Emma Whittell, Leeds City Council press office, on (0113) 2474713

Email: emma.whittell@leeds.gov.uk