‘We just want to help them make memories’: Leeds charity wins big in children’s vote
Hundreds of people celebrated the return of the Child Friendly Leeds Awards 🏆
Children across Leeds have helped shine a spotlight on the organisations making the biggest difference to young lives at this year’s landmark Child Friendly Leeds Awards.
The event, which marks ten years, was held at City Varieties Music Hall with a carnival-theme bringing a party atmosphere.
Around 400 people gathered to celebrate the dedication and achievements of those who go above and beyond to make Leeds the best place for children and young people to grow up in.
Local charity Holbeck Together won the ‘Children’s Choice Award’- a new category launched this year and voted for entirely by children.
The organisation supports children and families across south Leeds, particularly in deprived areas, by providing meals in school holidays and hosting activities and days out – from trips to the local park as well as further afield, to the beach, a maze, wildlife park or water parks.
Elissa Newman, chief officer, said: “To actually get that feedback from the children themselves is great; we’re so appreciative and truly grateful. It’s so important to us, to know we’re providing the right services, the right trips and the right experiences.
“We’re just really keen to support children to help them make memories with their families and for themselves. When I see a coach pull away from here and the kids are excited for their day ahead, it’s quite emotional really.”
Another winner on the night was Chloe Smith, in the ‘Child/Young Person of the Year’ category. The 24-year-old was recognised for her tireless work to make sure fellow care leavers are well-equipped and supported as they transition into independent living.
She said: “It’s amazing. It was such a shock to even see that I had been recognised. I want to use my experiences to help others know how to run their home correctly – how to do meter readings and bleed radiators, for example – and take the stress out of it for them.”
Highly-commended in the same category as Chloe was young Katie Thirling, nine, who has been raising awareness of life with a stoma by sharing her story with other children and publicly on her Instagram platform.
The inspirational youngster has lived with a stoma – a small opening in the abdomen from where bodily waste is collected into a bag – for the past two years due to complicated bowel issues.
She said: “To even be nominated is incredible. I just want to try and help others. When I had my stoma surgery, I didn’t know what life would be like. I hoped it would be better but I didn’t know. But now I get to help other children, and even adults, feel better about themselves.”
Also new this year was the ‘Sue Rumbold Award’, formerly the ‘Adult of the Year’ category, which was renamed in tribute to the late chief officer for partnerships and health at Leeds City Council, who was instrumental in bringing the Child Friendly Leeds vision to life.
Coun Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “We’re so proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of these remarkable awards which serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible work taking place across the city to champion our children and young people.
“It’s truly inspiring to see so many individuals and organisations going above and beyond to make such a positive impact on Leeds and has been a joy to be able to celebrate their achievements once again.”
All the winners and those highly commended were:
Child or Young Person of the year
Winner: Chloe Smith
Highly commended: Katie Thirling
Youth group of the year
Winner: Moortown West Community Association
Highly commended: SEND Youth Council
The Sue Rumbold Award - Adult of the Year
Winner: Anna Hull
Highly commended: Ed Downer
Inspiring creativity through play, arts and culture
Winner: Yorkshire Contemporary
Highly commended: Craftea Leeds
Champion of the Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes
Winner: Family Action’s Leeds Young Carers Support Service
Highly commended: Shakespeare Primary School
Children’s Choice Award – Best place in Leeds
Winner: Holbeck Together
Highly commended: Hunslet Club
Overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city
Private winner: King Pins White Rose
Public winner: The British Library
Third sector winner: Afrikindness