Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2024: The Shortlist
From 300 nominations to 36 shortlisted – let’s take a look at those people, places or organisations who make up the shortlist for the Child Friendly Leeds 2024 Awards.
“I would like to congratulate all winners, all those shortlisted as well as the many nominees this year – their commitment and passion to showcasing what it means to be child friendly is incredible to see. Becoming a child friendly city is not something we, as a council, can do alone and these awards are a great opportunity for us to recognise, celebrate and be inspired by the great work going on to help make Leeds the best city to grow up in.”
Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for children and families
The Child Friendly Awards now take place bi-annually and this year’s ‘Movies’ themed extravaganza is the ninth awards.
This time, we opened up nominations for 7 different categories. Since nominations closed back on 20th November (on World Children’s Day), we have been shortlisting behind the scenes and getting everything ready for the ceremony itself.
Everyone who has been shortlisted is invited along to the event which will take place in July. We are excited to reveal exactly who our shortlisted nominees are!
You can carry on scrolling to read about all the shortlisted nominees or use the buttons to navigate to a specific category.
A HUGE thank you to this year’s sponsors of the awards who make the event possible:
Category 1: Child/Young Person of the Year
This award recognises an amazing child/young person (0-18 years or up to 25 with additional needs) who has helped make a difference in Leeds. For example, someone who works with their friends, family and community to help and inspire others and effect positive change.
James Tortice
James has autism and ADHD and regularly raises money for charity by selling artwork he has produced. He has organised charity art exhibitions and loves raising money and awareness of ADHD, showing people you can still be creative with neurodiversity.
Lyla Bell
Lyla is a pupil at Robin Hood Primary School. She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 6 weeks old. She has had a lifetime of medical appointments but is determined to succeed and be just like her friends. Lyla raises awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis through her school and Brownie Unit.
Leigh-Taylor Arundale
Leigh-Taylor has been raising money for various charities since the age of 5 when she lost her grandma. Ten years later, still helping others no matter what age or disabilities they have. Plus raising money for numerous causes, she is now on the Diana Anti-bullying youth board team.
Aiden Reilly
Aiden has been a football coach since 2021 where he started coaching with the Leeds United Foundation supporting their KICKS programme. His dedication to volunteering at Middleton Park FC, has enabled an extra group to be set up meaning more children have access to sport.
Daniyaal and Abdullah Ashfaq
Daniyaal and Abdullah urged their mother, Sunjeeda, to set up Women’s Whispers CIC to respond to the needs of BAME single mothers in their community. They now support over 60 women and their children, many of which are survivors of domestic violence, exploitation, and modern slavery. Daniyaal and Abdullah’s efforts, in managing the operations of the CIC, directly reduce hunger, clothing and period poverty.
Category 2: Youth group the Year
This award recognises an inspirational youth group whose members are up to the age of 25 years who have made a difference in Leeds. For example, a group who work together to help and inspire others and effect positive change in their local community or city.
CATCH Leeds
CATCH Leeds are a youth charity that puts young people at the heart of everything they do. All of their activities developed with the young people’s ideas and put them leading from the front.
Leeds Young Carers Engaged, Active and Participating (LEAP)
LEAP is made up of young carers from across the city, providing a space for young carers to come together. They can socialise with others who have similar experiences, as well as having a voice and an opportunity to influence a range of issues affecting all children and young people.
Holbeck Moor Junior Football Club
Holbeck Moor JFC are a Grassroots junior football club formed in May 2022. They are a not for profit organisation offering low cost football from the age 6 to over 200 people including both boys and girls. They also support their community by donating to the schools and local foodbank.
Youth Association: Community Ambassador
As part of The Youth Associations detached work on Halton Moor, five young people have formed the Community Ambassadors Group, aiming to tackle the stereotype that ‘all young people are bad’. Through their work, they have put on an intergenerational event aiming to combat community tensions.
Leeds Dynamite Dance
Leeds Dynamite Dance are a self-funded community dance group in Middleton. They have been running for 25 years and provide high quality accessible dance classes at an affordable price, creating as many opportunities for young people as possible.
Category 3: Adult of the Year
This award is for someone doing extraordinary things to help improve the lives of children and young people in Leeds. For example, someone who goes that extra mile to care for, inspire or support children and young people.
Deborah Gregory-Hoskins
Deborah is the Principal and founder of, Deborah Hoskins Dance. DHD is founded on the belief that dance is a powerful art form that can inspire, uplift, and transform lives. The mission of DHD is to create a warm and inclusive environment where students can explore their creativity, develop technical proficiency, and build lifelong friendships.
Maggie Duffill
Maggie was nominated by her daughter who told us about her mum… She puts others first before herself many times. She is also extremely caring and always goes that extra mile to make sure girls in rugby feel seen and heard. She is very good with children and has worked helping them through any struggles they might help she’s also very passionate about children’s mental health.
WEST SILC Powerhouse and Rob Lakewood
WEST SILC Powerhouse s a 16+ college for young people with additional learning needs in Farsley. Rob and the staff pride themselves in truly preparing young people for adulthood. They say, “We are incredibly lucky to work with some incredible staff and fantastic young people that prove year after they have valuable employability and independence skills.”
Maria Amuesi
Maria is the lead Youth Development Worker at Hamara Healthy Living Centre in Beeston, running sessions for 11-19 year olds.
Maria has degrees in law, social work and youth development, as well as experience working with teenage girls at risk of harm, abuse and neglect. Maria goes above and beyond to ensure that every child has access to arts, culture, food and activity regardless of disadvantage or protected characteristics.
Jan Furlong
Jan has helped start up and run Baby and Toddler Groups for 35 years. She is dedicated to providing parents and carers with a warm, safe and friendly place to meet, which gives their babies/toddlers an opportunity to explore and encourages friendships to blossom.
Category 4: Leeds 2023 Awards for Creativity through Arts and Culture
This award recognises the fantastic opportunities and invaluable support that children and young people receive from the arts and cultural organisations or individuals in Leeds who engage, inspire and motivate through activity delivered either in or out of school. This might include film, drama, dance, art and music opportunities delivered by companies, organisations, museums, galleries, libraries, community groups or individuals as part of the Leeds 2023 year of culture.
Brave Words
Brave Words are a theatre company and social enterprise with children and young people at the heart of what they do. Dedicated to realising the power of stories and making them heard. Creating brave, inclusive spaces where young people can take part in high quality youth theatres without the barriers of cost and travel.
DAZL Dance
DAZL Dance engage 6500 young people in 23 of 33 Leeds City Council Wards by using dance and culture as a creative pathway to reduce inequalities and tackle inactivity through asset-based community development and dance. Engaging inactive children and young people, empowering local people/ communities whilst bringing the community together and championing their positive achievements
Slung Low
Slung Low is a theatre company in Holbeck running two venues in the area on a Pay What You Decide basis. They are in residence at Ingram Road Primary School and work with the school’s creative steering committee, Imaginative Intelligence Warriors
Union of Dance
Union of Dance are a community organisation who believe in the power of creativity for enriching lives, spreading joy, and celebrating young people. They provide vibrant projects and classes to communities and schools across West and North Yorkshire. Striving to provide equitable, accessible, and inspiring spaces and invite everyone to dance with them.
Tutti Frutti
Tutti Frutti have been creating high-quality, inventive theatre performances for children aged 3+ and their families for 30 years. Either brand-new stories or fresh adaptations of much-loved fairy tales and fables they tour around the UK to schools and theatres, as well as internationally in the USA, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Category 5: Exceptional Contribution to the Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes
This award recognises the remarkable individuals, projects and organisations who have positively contributed to one of the Child Friendly Leeds 12 wishes which were developed with children and young people in 2022.
Themes of the wishes include supporting children and young people; living in poverty, with their mental health and making healthy choices, providing safe places to play, to have their voice heard, to celebrate difference and diversity, to take action to address climate change, to travel safely, to access fun things to do, to enjoy and engage in learning, to access employment opportunities and making Leeds a more inclusive and accessible city.
Park Square Barristers
Park Square Barristers are one of the largest barristers’ chambers in the country, based in Leeds for over 80 years. PSQB have provided high-quality and personalised Christmas gifts, as well as Easter and Eid treats, for families in Leeds on multiple occasions and continue to be proud supporters and ambassadors for Child Friendly Leeds.
Youthwatch
Youthwatch are a self-led group of inspiring young volunteers aged 14-25, who work with Healthwatch Leeds. Youthwatch make sure the views and experiences of the volunteers are heard, with the aim of improving health and care services. They recently ran a campaign around reducing health inequality in access to dental care. Youthwatch are celebrating their 10-year anniversary this year!
Wigton Moor Primary School
Wigton Moor Primary School is on the northern outskirts of the city and enriched by its harmonious and wide-ranging diversity. Pupils, staff, governors and parents are passionate about inclusion and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion has created a warm, nurturing environment where pupils feel they belong.
SNAPS
SNAPS is a local charity that supports children with additional needs and their families. The charity offers a range of vital support and is there when families need someone to turn to. SNAPS helps children reach life-changing milestones their families never thought were possible whilst also giving parents, carers and siblings a safe place.
The British Library
The British Library are a proud Child Friendly Leeds Ambassador. They are passionate about taking a child-centred approach and raising young people’s voices, giving them space for creative expression. For example, they were instrumental in the ‘Cooked with Love’ project, which saw Leeds-based young asylum seekers create ‘a recipe book without borders.’
Renaissance Nurseries
Renaissance Nurseries are a small chain of nurseries. They believe that every child should have access to a safe environment and quality care, and support families in deprived areas of Leeds. The diversity of the resources, staff, food, languages and cultures within the setting and activities exemplify how the nurseries prioritise diversity and inclusion.
Category 6: Best Place for Children and Young People
This award recognises a fantastic place for children and young people in Leeds. For example, somewhere that children and young people feel is their favourite place to go – somewhere they find welcoming, inclusive to all, fun, safe, clean and inspiring.
Puffin Pottery
Puffin Pottery, owned by Laura Turner, is a creative and engaging space for young artists. At Puffin Pottery, children can let their imaginations run wild as they paint their own pottery, as well as attending workshops where the fun and enriching environment allows them to explore their artistic abilities and create lasting memories.
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, and with a new satellite base in Harehills, they offer a range of individual and group support: a creche space; holiday schemes; counselling; outreach; residentials; and opportunities in the Arts (including Djing), sports and voice and influence.
Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm
Leeds Children’s Charity at Lineham Farm is dedicated to brightening children’s lives. The charity supports over 3,000 young people each year and provides access to nature and outdoor learning, from climbing to animal care. Activities at the farm offer challenge, build confidence, encourage self-belief, and provide first time experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
Little Movers Leeds West
Little Mover West Leeds is a fun and safe environment for all, owned and run by Danni Pells who blends her love for dancing with a commitment to fostering healthy, active lifestyles for families. Danni has built a thriving business centred around her daughter and is a firm believer in the mantra “Every child matters.”
Circus Leeds
Circus Leeds runs circus and aerial circus workshops and classes in Harehills. Our team of brilliant circus artists and performers teach ground-based circus skills, as well as trapeze, aerial hoop and silks. They also run accessible and inclusive workshops and festivals with community groups, schools and disability groups, to take circus out into the communities of Leeds.
Category 7: Overall Contribution to making Leeds a Child-Friendly City
This award is to recognise a business/organisation that is making a significant contribution to our child friendly city ambitions. For example, a business dedicating staff time and resources to support young people in their careers by providing work placements, supported internships or skills sessions or supporting families in need to access free or discounted leisure activities. For example, an organisation working directly with children and young people, involving them in planning and delivering projects or providing mentoring and volunteering opportunities.
Leeds Rhinos & The Leeds Rhinos Foundation
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation initiative was introduced by Sian Jones (Leeds Rhinos Head of Customer Experience) and Bob Bowman QPM (CEO). They provide tickets for a number of Leeds Rhinos games to be distributed by the team at Child Friendly Leeds. Thanks to the partnership, tickets are received by care-experienced children and families.
The Vine Child Contact Centre
The Vine Child Contact Centre is a safe, friendly and neutral place where children of separated parents can meet their non-resident parent or family member. The centre provides a way for children to spend time with their parents in a child-friendly environment, where there is no alternative.
Playful Anywhere
Playful Anywhere CIC aims to catalyse creativity, inventiveness, and playfulness wherever people are. The organisation has a longstanding reputation for excellence in culture and heritage, public realm, art and urban landscaping, fundraising, digital and social engagement. Along with an established network of artists, community builders, educational experts and analysts for audience research and project development.
ZigZag Support Group
ZigZag was started by Lisa Jane James 20 years ago and has been her life ever since. The group has grown in strength and numbers, offering a wide range of services to meet the needs of autistic children and their families. ZigZag proudly supports families who, without the group, would feel isolated and alone.
Freedom4Girls
Freedom4Girls, founded by Tina Leslie MBE, is a Leeds-based charity that provides free period products to anyone who needs them, giving out 20,000 period products in the first three months of 2024 alone. They also provide period education and empowerment workshops to help end stigmas for girls and all marginalised genders.
