Leeds Children's Mayor elections: candidates

Arthur's manifesto

I am passionate about Wish Number 8. I believe that every child in Leeds deserves the same opportunities, no matter how they live or how much money their families have. Sadly, some children in our city face poverty, not having enough food, the right school equipment, or missing out on clubs, sports and activities that other children enjoy. 

If I am elected as Leeds Children’s Mayor my main priority will be helping children affected by poverty. I would work with schools, charities and local organisations to make sure families are aware of what support is available. There are already food banks within our city but families are using these more often. I would help raise awareness of their importance and working with them to raise money. I would also promote school holiday clubs and community projects that provide meals and fun activities for families. 

I want every child in Leeds to have the chance to play, join clubs, sports, learn new skills and make friends regardless of families' income. I will listen to children’s idea’s when decisions are made. Giving the children of Leeds a voice will impact their everyday life, this will affect their future, they will feel seen and know that they matter. 

I will encourage kindness, inclusion and teamwork. Small actions can make big differences if we work together as a city. Leeds is an amazing place to live, I want to help it be better for so many children. 

One Leeds, one future, every child included. I want every child in Leeds to feel valued, have access to the same opportunities and I want to raise awareness of child poverty.

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.

Bella's manifesto

In a city as great as Leeds, no child should ever go to school hungry, yet thousands still do. In Leeds, around 34,000 children are at risk of hunger. This means many children are coming to school not feeling their best. I believe this needs to change.

Why Free School Meals matter

First, food helps us learn. When children are hungry, it is much harder to concentrate, join in lessons and do well in school. A full stomach helps us focus, answer questions and be confident learners.

Second, it creates fairness for everyone. No child should feel embarrassed or different because of their family’s money. Right now, some children are singled out for free school meals, which can make them feel uncomfortable. All children are treated with respect if free school meals are open to everyone.

Third, food is essential – just like books and desks. Schools give us desks, chairs and books because they are important for learning. Food is just as important. Without it, we cannot learn properly.

What I will do as Children's Mayor

If I am chosen, I will speak up for children who feel unheard and raise awareness about child hunger in Leeds.

My promise

I promise to be a strong voice for children in Leeds and to stand up for fairness and kindness. Every child deserves the chance to succeed and that starts with having enough to eat.

No child should learn on an empty stomach, let's be the generation that changes this.

Children need free school meals NOW! In Leeds around 34,000 children are at risk of hunger. Children need food to help them grow and learn.

Dakota's manifesto

Many schools in Leeds have wellbeing teams, learning mentors and activities that help children look after their mental health. There is also MindMate, which gives advice and support to children, young people and families.

These things work well because they give children safe places to talk and ask for help. 

One of my ideas to improve is something we do in our school. "Crew time" is an opportunity for a class to come together and discuss feelings. It can include a "sunny check-in" where children share how they are feeling. I think having more time to talk about worries would help some children feel happier and less alone.

Leeds could support schools by organising more wellbeing workshops, putting up posters about where children can get help and creating opportunities for school councils to share ideas about mental health, such as forums.

Children can feel worried, lonely or stressed, and other times they might not know who to talk to. I would like to try and help children all around Leeds know where they can get support if they need it, other than their schools. Mental health is an important part of our wellbeing because it affects how we think, feel and cope with everyday life. Even if it is just talking to a trusted adult, sharing worries with a friend or taking part in a calming activity, these are all ways to support mental health. Even if it is a small thing, it can still help.

Kindness is one of the most important tools that everyone has. By encouraging initiatives, we can help create a kinder and more inclusive environment for everyone.

Libby's manifesto

In Leeds, children with special educational needs and disabilities can find it difficult to take part in sports. Even though there are some fantastic opportunities available, not everyone knows about them or can easily access them. This can make children feel like they don’t belong and stop them from being active and enjoying the same experiences as their friends.

I believe every child should have the chance to be active, make friends, build confidence and experience the world of sport. I know my own confidence has grown since taking part in new physical activities.

Leeds already has some amazing organisations that support inclusive sport, including the Leeds United Foundation, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds Riding for the Disabled, and others. I have been lucky enough to take part in some of these! 

I think we could do even more in schools and across Leeds:

• Hold "Try Something New" sessions in schools where local clubs visit and children can try different sports.
• Provide more inclusive sports sessions across Leeds.
• Organise a Leeds Inclusive Sports Festival where children can try new sports, celebrate their success and make new friends.
• Raise awareness about activities already available in Leeds to families by displaying posters in schools and including information in newsletters.
• Inclusive sports teams in schools – I feel all children should be able to represent the school in a sports team.

I believe every child should feel included, be proud of who they are and know that anything is possible.

I want to improve access to inclusive sports across Leeds so that every child with special educational needs and disabilities can play, belong and achieve.

Lydia's manifesto

I believe that it is vitally important that children and young people are able to experience lots of different cultures and activities that can help them find what they enjoy and how to express themselves. Already in Leeds there are so many places around the city that young people can go to and enjoy: Leeds Art Gallery, The Royal Armouries, Leeds City Museum, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Young Film Festival and the annual Anime and Comic Con. Things such as Leeds City Museum, Breeze, The Royal Armouries, Leeds Central Library and Leeds Art Gallery are all free places that families can go. However, I still believe that this city could do more so that families with little income can still access fun clubs and activities that are low or free of charge. These could include more activities at Leeds Young Film Festival, cinemas around the city, Leeds Playhouse and various drama and arts clubs around Leeds. By doing this it could really positively impact young peoples’ lives by giving them lots more self-confidence, helping them explore new cultures, provide inspiration for future careers, finding ways to express themselves and help them to find their talents and things they love. Everyone deserves to experience new cultures, ideas for future careers, ways to express themselves, find their talents and things they are good at.

Mutumwa's manifesto

I am passionate about Wish 9 because I believe that too much screen time can affect our curious minds. I think that we need to do more to support young people to make healthy choices and have more opportunities for regular physical activities. 

At the moment in Leeds, children are supported by Active Leeds Programmes like swimming and football, Healthy Holiday clubs and activity centres like Herd Farm and West Leeds.

One thing that works well is that these clubs help children to make new friends. This helps because children nowadays find it hard to make friends easily because they are on their gadgets all the time.

However, things could be improved because the issue of screens is one of the biggest problem children face in our generation. One idea I have is add screen time limits to kids' phones/devices and to bring about challenges for families to replace screen time with boardgames.

These changes will help this issue by making opportunities for better friendships and also for growing confidence in going outside. It will help many kids have healthier lifestyles .

In conclusion, I would help children be healthier and happier outside not just behind a screen. All of Leeds needs to make sure that we live a healthy life outside and not just playing games for hours without end. Now let’s do what kids do best, PLAY!!!!

Tackle screens and help Leeds kids make healthier choices.

Naomi's manifesto

My chosen Child Friendly Leeds wish is that children and young people have safe spaces to play, spend time with friends and have fun.

I chose this wish because safe and welcoming spaces help children feel happy, included and connected to their communities. They give children opportunities to make friends, build confidence and enjoy their childhood. I believe every child in Leeds should have access to places where they can play safely, learn new skills and spend quality time with family and friends.

Leeds already has many fantastic places for children and families. Parks, libraries, Tropical World and community events give children opportunities to play, learn and explore. One place that works especially well is Little Leeds, where young children can play, socialise and develop important skills in a safe environment. These opportunities help children feel part of their community and create positive memories.

However, there are still improvements that could be made. During hotter summers and heatwaves, many children want opportunities to cool down and be active, but not all families can access affordable water-based activities. There are also increasing concerns about water safety, as some children may not know how to stay safe around rivers, lakes and open water.

I would like Leeds to organise more water-based community events and water safety activities at existing swimming pools and outdoor spaces. These could include holiday swimming competitions, inflatable water activity days, family paddle boat events at Roundhay Lake and fun water safety workshops led by trained instructors.

These improvements would help children stay active, healthy and safe while learning important life skills. Most importantly, they would bring people from different communities together, helping families make connections, build friendships and feel proud to be part of Leeds. As Leeds Children's Mayor, I would promote safe, inclusive activities that help every child feel they belong.

I want more safe water activities and water safety education in Leeds to bring communities together, keep children active and help everyone feel included.

Roman's manifesto

I am passionate about everyone taking more action to protect the environment from climate change and creating a sustainable future. 

Leeds is already making positive changes:

• Introduced cycle lanes.
• Large-scale planting programmes.
• Improving sustainable travel and electric car charges.
• Leeds Woodlands Creation Scheme.
• School/community gardens.
• Electric buses used throughout Leeds.

Things that I will work on in my school:

• Walk to School Wednesdays – to encourage people to try and walk to school on this day.
• Food Bank Fridays – families can donate food, which can be taken to the local food bank on Fridays.
• Invite families to join the eco-club and use the school garden to show them how they can grow their own food. 
• Incredible Edible Footpath – line the footpath with herbs and vegetables to encourage families to eat healthily.
• Carr Manor Community Hub - invite organisations to come to the hub to teach families about sustainable living. Invite families to the hub after school to help them socialise whilst saving energy usage at home. Swap shop for families to recycle uniform, clothing, toys, books and household items.

Things that can be improved across Leeds are:

• Creation of litter picking stations.
• Adding QR codes to bins so people can report to the council when full.
• Creating water bottle stations.
• Tree planting sessions in local areas.
• Free bus travel up to 16-year-olds. Run cheap day trip buses to places of interest, focused on families.
• More areas for electric car charging.

We have ‘One World - One Chance’.

Roujan's manifesto

I am standing to be the Leeds Children’s Mayor.

I am passionate about young people having access to a wide range of work experience and volunteering opportunities.

In Leeds, there are already some great opportunities for young people. Schools may organise careers activities, local businesses visit schools, and many charities offer volunteering opportunities. These programmes help young people learn new skills and think about their futures.

But I think we can do even more.

Many young people don’t know what opportunities are available, and some find it difficult to take part. I would like to help and explore more career days, workplace visits, volunteering projects and opportunities for younger children to learn about a range of different jobs.

After all, how can we know what we want to be when we grow up if we’ve never had the chance to try things out? I used to think being an adult was just drinking coffee and answering emails all day, but now I know what it’s all about!

I would also like schools, businesses and community groups to work together more closely so that every child, no matter where they live or what school they go to, can have access to these opportunities.

These improvements would help young people build confidence, learn important life skills and discover talents they never knew they had. They would also help us make new friends, contribute to our communities and feel more prepared for the future.

I want Leeds to be a city where every young person can dream big and has the opportunity to explore those dreams.

Together, we can help young people gain experience, make a difference and build a brighter future for Leeds.

Thank you for listening, and I hope I can count on your vote.

Today’s volunteers and learners are tomorrow’s leaders, and Leeds is full of future leaders.

Violet's manifesto

I love my brother Johnny very much; he inspires me every day. Johnny has autism and is pre-verbal, meaning he cannot communicate using words. Sometimes this makes it hard for him to express how he feels or what he needs, which can affect his mental health and emotional wellbeing. Johnny loves rebound therapy and swimming because they help him feel calm and happy, he is also very lucky to attend Green Meadows, where he gets lots of social and emotional support.

My Leeds Friendly Wish is for disabled children to live free and feel included. Johnny is supported by amazing charities in Leeds such as SNAPS, Little Hiccups, ASAS and Mencap. I also get support through the Sibs charity, which helps brothers and sisters of disabled children. These charities do incredible work, but they do not always get enough funding, relying on donations from the public.

I believe Leeds City Council could do more, so support is not only left to charities. For example, there could be more accessible playgrounds, quieter public spaces for autistic children, better SEND support in schools, and more inclusive clubs and activities. Disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, which means disabled children should have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

By improving accessibility and support, Leeds would also promote important British values such as mutual respect, tolerance and individual liberty, helping every child feel safe, included and free to achieve their full potential without being left behind.

Inspired by my brother Johnny, I wish for every disabled child in Leeds to feel included, supported, understood and free to achieve their potential equally.