Child friendly Leeds awards 2015 – a statement from Councillor Judith Blake!
We are getting very excited about the child friendly Leeds awards which are taking place tomorrow night! Leeds City Varieties are hosting the awards in special ceremony planned and performed entirely by young people to celebrate and reward the people, places and organisations helping to make Leeds a child friendly city.
‘Thumbs Up Productions,’ a group of nine Leeds young people have been busy planning the ceremony since October, making every decision – from choosing the design of the trophies and decorations, to selecting the young performers from the Breeze Has Talent finals. Members of the planning group will also be responsible for presenting the awards to an audience of over 350 people, including a number of city leaders and VIPs.
In today’s child friendly Leeds blog Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, talks about why she thinks the awards are an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of young people and those working with young people in the city.
Councillor Blake and Thumbs Up Productions with a child friendly Leeds trophy!
“Last year’s inaugural child friendly Leeds awards were a highlight of 2014. I can still vividly remember my feeling of pride sitting in the audience watching the young people’s performances and hearing about what the award winners were doing for our city’s children and young people.
“This year we received 547 nominations which is almost double the number we received last year. What an extraordinary achievement and demonstration of the amount of work being done for children and young people across Leeds!
“Our task in selecting just a single winner in each category was incredible difficult. From young people tackling racism and saving their pocket money for charity, to places and organisation supporting children with disabilities – all the people, places and organisations nominated deserve recognition. They should all be immensely proud of their contribution to our city.
“The awards are not just to reward the achievements of people, places and organisations, they’re also about giving young people opportunities and a spotlight to shine. I met the young people from Thumbs Up Productions, who are planning and organising the awards ceremony and I was amazed by their commitment, skills and team work. It’s so encouraging to see a group of young people, some of them as young as 12, getting together to celebrate the achievements of those working to make Leeds a better city.
“At a time when, as a council we face serious financial challenges, it’s even more important that we take the time to thank and recognise the efforts of all those who are working to make our city safe for children and young people and a place where they are supported and happy.
“Thank you again to all those who took the time to nominate and well done to all the nominees. I know everyone will have a fantastic time at the ceremony.”
Councillor Judith Blake, Leeds City Council executive member for children and families.
Read more about all of the shortlisted candidates here
The awards are hosted by the Leeds City Varieties are sponsored by British Gas, run in partnership with the Yorkshire Evening Post and supported by Marks &Spencer and First Direct Arena.
