Child Friendly Leeds is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and nominations are now open for the annual awards.

The team are on the lookout for truly inspiring stories about people, places and organisations that help make Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up in.

The Child Friendly Leeds Awards recognise the achievements of the city’s children and young people as well as everyone else that makes Leeds a great place to play, live, have a voice and influence and grow up in, especially in light of the pandemic.

The prestigious event will be held in July 2022 and is organised and delivered by a group of enthusiastic young people, utilising their talent and creativity.

This year, the awards are supported by Leeds City Council and Leeds City Varieties Music Hall and sponsored by Trinity Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, Victoria Leeds, The Grammar School at Leeds and First Direct Arena, Leeds.

To make your nominations, visit https://surveys.leeds.gov.uk/s/CFLAwards2022/  The deadline for nominations is Friday 25 March at 10pm.

Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships said:

“It is fantastic to see how Child Friendly Leeds has grown over the last 10 years and brought the city together. The awards are a real example of places and people making Leeds the best city for children and young people.

“Sadly we could not run the annual Child Friendly Leeds awards last year due to covid restrictions so it’s even more important that 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. I am looking forward to seeing what the young people plan this year.”

This year, the seven categories are: 

1. Child/Young Person of the year

This award recognises an amazing child/young person (aged 0-21 or up to 25 with additional needs) who has made a difference in Leeds.

2. 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.

3. Adult ( 21 years and above) making a difference for young people

This award is for someone doing extraordinary things to improve the lives of children and young people in Leeds.

4. Schools award for local businesses/organisations

This award recognises the invaluable support that pupils and schools receive from their local community. We are looking for local businesses/organisations who have gone extra mile to support school communities through the pandemic.

5. 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.

6. Best place in Leeds for children and young people

This award recognises a fantastic place (physical/virtual) for children and young people in Leeds, somewhere welcoming, inclusive, fun and safe.

7. 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 through the pandemic.

To find out more about Child Friendly Leeds celebrating ten years, please visit: https://bit.ly/CFLcelebrates10