Who can get involved
- Children in year 5 (at school or elective home educated) can enter to become the next Leeds Children’s Mayor
- Young people aged 18 or younger can vote for the next Leeds Children’s Mayor
Current Leeds Children’s Mayor
The twenty-third Children's Mayor of Leeds is Bahrawar from Dixons Trinity Chapeltown.
Read about the current Leeds Children’s Mayor and their manifesto
Bahrawar became the 2026-27 Leeds Children's Mayor in October 2026 with a total of 7,543 children and young people voting in the elections.
Bahrawar’s manifesto focused on mental health support.
Bahrawar's manifesto
Mental health affects everything: how we cope with challenges, celebrate our abilities and support ourselves when life gets tough. But unfortunately, it's an issue many people struggle with. In 2023, the NHS reported that one in 5 young people experienced a mental health condition that seriously affected their life. This looks different for everyone but can often lead to low self-esteem, lack of energy, isolation and difficulties at school. That is why I am passionate about CFL Wish One, because no young person should ever feel alone or unsure about accessing support if they need it.
Leeds currently does really well in terms of offering a wide range of services for young people. For example, the charity MindMate delivers workshops to educate students around managing emotions and offers a self-help website with advice on how to cope with different situations. CAMHS provides professional support for young people in need of more long-term care and therapy. And Time for Young People, alongside other youth groups, offers a safe, informal space where young people can talk about their feelings without the need for long waiting lists.
However, many young people still feel anxious and unsure about where to ask for help, therefore the awareness of services requires improvement. If I was Leeds Children's Mayor, I would create a CFL webpage that organises all available mental health support into one accessible place so that young people know exactly where to go if they're struggling. I would send this out to schools in a resource pack for PDS/PSHE lessons which could be used to encourage open conversations about mental health and show students which services are right for them. The pack could also include training material for a "Wellbeing Pal" system where responsible students become ambassadors for mental health. In this role, they would check in with peers, helping students feel more comfortable opening up about their emotions as it removes the fear of approaching an adult. Finally, the pack could include activities for a "Your Mind Matters Day" where schools encourage students to take part in mindful activities and learn healthy ways to manage their emotions. This could act as early intervention as young people would have the opportunity to take a break, relax and talk about their feelings before issues become overwhelming.
Mental health support is hard to find when needed most. I plan to organise services into one accessible place and plan "Your Mind Matters Day" where all schools prioritise wellbeing through fun activities.
What is involved
- Year 5 children write a manifesto which is submitted in June
- The manifestos are shortlisted in July and the final twelve attend a 'what to expect' session before campaigning for votes over the summer
- The winner is announced at a celebratory finals night in October before serving a one year term
- The winner raises awareness of their manifesto issue and attends various events and occasions alongside the Lord Mayor of Leeds.
Benefits
- Develop skills and confidence in public speaking
- Experience campaigning and canvassing for votes
- Meet lots of different people including councillors and the Lord Mayor
Get involved
Tell your school, parents or carers about the project and encourage them to support you.
Vote for your favourite manifestos every summer.
Further information
List of the previous Leeds Children’s Mayors
Previous Children's Mayors
The Leeds Children's Mayors since 2011 were:
- Sienna Silva-Farber, Harewood Church of England Primary School (2025-26)
- Esosa Ehioghae, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary (2024-25)
- Mohammed Hussein, Ireland Wood Primary (2023-24)
- Mason Hicks, Whitkirk Primary (2022-23)
- Zulaykha Hussain, Bardsey Primary (2021-22)
- Samuel Hill, Carr Manor Community School (2020-21)
- Wania Ahmad, Harehills Primary (2019-20)
- Rio Abbott, Grange Farm Primary (2018-19)
- Isla Bentley, Gildersome Primary (2017-18)
- Grace Branford, Drighlington Primary (2016-17)
- Hannah Begum, Hunslet Moor Primary (2015-16)
- Amy Eckworth-Jones, Strawberry Fields Primary (2014-15)
- Charlotte Williams, Rufford Park Primary (2013-14)
- Oliver Larking, Bardsey Primary (2012-13)
- Joe Smith, Strawberry Fields Primary (2011-12)
From 2004 until 2014 we had a Mayor for a Day.
