2019 Child Friendly Leeds Awards

The prestigious city-wide event celebrates all the work that is happening across the city to make Leeds the best place for children and young people to grow up in.

This year, the awards were planned by a group of 13 young people called The Dynamics. They have been working hard to organise every aspect of the awards and hosted the memorable evening. There were a record number of nominations received this year, with just under 600 nominations being made across the eight categories with an additional special recognition award.

The awards are hosted by Leeds City Varieties and sponsored by aql, Trinity Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, Victoria Leeds, HCP, Yorkshire Housing, Yorkshire Transformations, Pinnacle PSG, Morgan Sindall and First Direct Arena.

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2019 Child Friendly Leeds Awards Highlights

Winners of the 2019 Child Friendly Leeds Awards

Child of the Year (under 11)

Imogen Lawrence suffered a major loss in her family and went through counselling. Through her perseverance and resilience, the rest of her school have come to learn about dealing with difficult issues.

Young Person of the Year (11 – 21)

John Dunwell had a kidney transplant a number of years ago and is now a successful sportsman. He is instrumental in fundraising so other Leeds competitors can attend the National Transplant Games.

Youth Group of the Year

Out 2 18 and Transtastic Youth Group offer a safe place to meet for young people aged 13 - 25 years who identify as LGBT, and are a lifeline for them.

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

Lisa James set up ZigZag (a support group for young people with autism and their families) and runs a community shop in Cookridge, which provides work experience and volunteering opportunities for people with autism.

Communities and Schools Working Together

‘The Hall Meets Hovingham’ Dementia Project involved pupils from Hovingham Primary visiting The Hall (a care home) with a view to raising awareness about dementia and contributing to the health and well-being of the older residents.

Inspiring Creativity through Arts and Culture

Life Experience are a social enterprise who support children, teenagers and vulnerable adults, by sharing real life experiences through the medium of poetry and drama, to encourage young people to avoid a life of crime and drug addiction.

Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People

Herd Farm Residential and Activity Centre is a grade two listed converted barn transformed into a 50-bed residential and outdoor inclusive activity centre for children and young people set in 16 acres of tranquil countryside.

Overall Contribution to Making Leeds a Child Friendly City

LandSec (White Rose and Trinity) have provided work opportunities for young people, celebrated achievement by sponsoring Award ceremonies, run Christmas parties for foster and kinship families, and have provided family friendly toilets as well as a fantastic outdoor play space.

Special Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds Awards

This award is to recognise the outstanding contribution The City Varieties Learning Team have made to Child Friendly Leeds. They do an incredible job year on year and work with a new group of young people every year and help them plan, organise and deliver this event that has become one of the highlights of the year.