Child Friendly Leeds Awards
2026 awards
Leeds City Council was delighted to welcome the return of the Child Friendly Leeds Awards for 2026. Held in July at the iconic City Varieties Music Hall, this year’s ceremony proved to be the most vibrant and celebratory event yet, honouring the people and organisations who make Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up in.
Now in its tenth edition, the Leeds Awards continued to shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements, dedication and energy of children, young people, and the adults and organisations who support them. As part of their vision for the event, the young people's planning group chose a carnival theme, an apt choice for a bright, colourful and music-filled evening that celebrated the vibrancy and diversity of Leeds. The 2026 ceremony was once again uniquely shaped by young people, who led every aspect of the event, from creative direction and performances to hosting and production, ensuring the evening captured the spirit, diversity and voice of Leeds’ young residents.
The Leeds Awards 2026 were proudly supported by an outstanding group of sponsors, including Mott MacDonald, The Parklane Foundation, Trinity Leeds, Shine Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, Kingpins, Roxy Lanes, first direct bank arena, Leeds+ Social and Leeds City Council. Their continued partnership highlights the shared commitment across the city to championing young people and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
From an incredible 1,013 nominations, including 836 nominations submitted by children and young people, the panel shortlisted 42 outstanding finalists. The judging process brought together an inspiring panel of leaders, sponsors and partners, alongside children and young people whose voices were central throughout. Judges shared how moved they were by the stories they read, describing the experience as both emotional and uplifting. On the night, nine winners were crowned and a further nine finalists received Highly Commended awards, recognising the exceptional contributions they have made to children and young people across Leeds. Every finalist demonstrated remarkable dedication, passion and achievement, making the judging process incredibly difficult.
The full list of winners and Highly Commended:
Child or Young Person of the year.
Winner: Chloe Smith After experiencing homelessness and sofa-surfing as a care leaver, Chloe has turned her lived experience into action, using social media and workshops to help other young people prepare for independent living.
Highly commended: Katie Thirling
Youth group of the year
Winner: Moortown West Community Association
MWCA champions youth voice in a highly deprived area, delivering free and low‑cost activities, youth groups, sports, safe spaces and mental health support.
Highly commended: SEND Youth Council
The Sue Rumbold Award Adult of the Year
Winner: Anna Hull
An Active Leeds swimming tutor, Anna delivers lessons from baby to adult, including SEND and Special Olympics provision.
Highly commended: Ed Downer
Inspiring creativity through play, arts and culture
Winner: Yorkshire Contemporary
Transformed outdoor play in Beeston Hill by partnering with residents to create Leeds’ first adventure playground, The Play Patch.
Highly commended: Craftea Leeds
Champion of the Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes
Winner: Family Action’s Leeds Young Carers Support Service
The service identifies and supports young carers, ensuring their needs are recognised in schools.
Highly commended: Shakespeare Primary School
Children’s Choice Award Best place in Leeds
Winner: Holbeck Together
Offers affordable activities, trusted support and a real sense of belonging for children, young people and families in the local community.
Highly commended: Hunslet Club
Overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city
Private sector winner: King Pins White Rose
Supports children in care and foster families through free bowling sessions that remove financial barriers and create inclusive, fun experiences.
Highly commended: MyLahore
Overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city
Public sector winner: The British Library
Through sustained partnership with children’s social care, the British Library delivers high-quality creative programmes for care-experienced young people that leave a permanent legacy.
Highly commended: Leeds Childrens Hospital – Children’s Play Service
Overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city
Third sector winner: Afrikindness
Supports children and families facing poverty, inequality and cultural barriers across Leeds through leadership programmes, mentoring, safeguarding training and family support.
Highly commended: KVDT and Kirkstall Valley Farm
2024 awards
As always, the awards were planned and delivered by a group of young people. This year, the young planning group were between the aged of 10 and 17 and chose the theme 'Movies', so we rolled out the red carpet for a blockbuster awards night! The young people led us through the ceremony introducing the categories and presenting the awards, and they weren't the only young people involved! All the performers and entertainers in the awards ceremony were children and young people too.
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.
Watch the CFL Awards 2024 highlights film here.
The Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024 were 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."
Winners of the 2024 awards
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.
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.
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.
Highly commended
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.
Previous CFL awards
Read more about the last 3 awards and winners on the previous CFL awards page.