Child Friendly Leeds Awards

2024 awards

The awards were planned and delivered by a group of 10 to 17 year olds who form the planning group. This year, they chose the theme 'Movies' for the event so we rolled out the red carpet for a blockbuster awards night!

Out of an amazing 300 nominations, 36 people, places or organisations were shortlisted and all received invites for the prestigious awards ceremony which took place in July 2024 at the City Varieties Music Hall. 350 attendees enjoyed a fun-packed, high-energy, entertaining event organised and presented by children and young people. Guest included city leaders, and VIPs including the Lord Mayor of Leeds and Leeds Children's Mayor!

All award winners from each category received a certificate, trophy and tickets to watch their favourite show at Leeds First Direct Arena, along with lots of special mentions and press features.

Our sponsors

Child Friendly Leeds has a city-wide ambassador network supporting and championing our ambition. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds and contribute in a variety of different ways.

The Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 are sponsored by aql, First Direct Arena, Hamara, Leeds Bid, The Grammar School at Leeds, Trinity Leeds, University of Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre.

Steven Foster, Centre Director at Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre, said: "The work that Child Friendly Leeds does to make our city a better place for young people and families is vital, and we're pleased to continue working together towards this goal as ambassadors at Trinity Leeds and White Rose.

"Taking part in the awards judging and seeing the incredible projects across Leeds is inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating each and every nominee at this year's ceremony."

If you are interested in sponsoring the awards or any other project, please email childfriendlyleeds@leeds.gov.uk.

Award categories

There are awards in 7 different categories so that everyone has a chance to shine. As well as new categories, the 2024 awards also included the addition of a ‘highly commended’ runner-up in each category.

Winners of the 2024 awards

Group picture of winning men women and children on a stage

Child or young person of the year

Winner: Leigh-Taylor Arundale (age 16) - Leigh-Taylor is a young charity worker involved in many projects. She is also an ambassador for the Anti-Bullying campaign and the Diana Award.

Youth group of the year

Winner: CATCH Leeds - A youth charity which puts young people at the heart of everything it does, with all activities developed using their ideas and leadership.

Adult making a difference for young people

Winner: WEST SILC Powerhouse and Rob Lakewood - WEST Leeds SILC Powerhouse is a 16-19 college for young people with additional learning needs in Farsley, preparing young people for adulthood.

Leeds 2023 award for creativity through arts and culture

Winner: Tutti Frutti Productions - Harehills-based Tutti Frutti have, for over 30 years, created inventive theatre performances for children aged three and over and their families on tour around UK as well as in the USA, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Exceptional contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes

Winner: SNAPS - A local charity which supports children with additional needs and their families, delivering hydrotherapy, rebound therapy, dance, yoga, accessible swimming and football lessons.

Best place in Leeds for children and young people

Winner: Getaway Girls - For over 35 years, Getaway Girls has empowered girls and young women aged 11-25 from a diverse range of backgrounds, to build confidence, resilience, skills and aspirations. Based in Seacroft, with a satellite base in Harehills, it offers group work, individual support, creche space, school work and much more.

Overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city

Winner: Leeds Rhinos and Rhinos Foundation - Sian Jones, Leeds Rhinos Head of Customer Experience, and Bob Bowman QPM, Leeds Rhinos Foundation CEO, introduced an initiative which provides an allocation of tickets for a number of games for Leeds Rhinos to be distributed by the team at Child Friendly Leeds.

Highly commended

Group picture of highly commended men women and children on a stage

Runner up: Lyla Bell (age 10) - Lyla has cystic fibrosis and raises awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through her school and brownie unit and enjoys playing cricket with East Ardsley Rugby Club.

Runner up: Youth Association – Community Ambassadors - As part of the Youth Association's detached work on Halton Moor, five young people have formed the Community Ambassadors' group to support their community through activities including an intergenerational event to combat community tensions.

Runner-up: Jan Furlong - Jan runs Babybuds and Lilybuds baby and toddler groups in Rothwell where her warmth and generosity of spirit is said to put mums and babies at ease. She also runs activities including clothes swap and groups singing.

Runner-up: Brave Words - A theatre company and social enterprise creating brave, inclusive spaces where young people can take part in high quality youth theatres without the barriers of cost and travel.

Runner-up: The British Library - The national library of the UK and a Child Friendly Leeds Ambassador, which takes a child-centred approach through collaborations with children's social care, Elliott Hudson College, Re:establish, Hugh Gaitskell School and others.

Runner-up: Leeds Children's Charity at Lineham Farm - A charity dedicated to brightening children's lives, supporting over 3,000 young people each year and providing access to nature and outdoor learning, through activities including climbing, biking, animal care and environmental work.

Runner-up: Freedom 4 Girls - A charity which provides free period products to anyone who needs them, supporting hundreds of diverse community groups, charities and thousands of individuals across Leeds and beyond. In the first three months of 2024, they gave out over 20,000 period products and 3,000kg of food for people in Leeds.