Leeds Children’s Mayor: Be You Campaign
Wish 3 in Action: Leeds Children’s Mayor presents the “Take What You Need” Board and “Be You” Campaign! We are one city, many voices, let’s celebrate us all!
One of the key commitments in Leeds Children’s Mayor Sienna’s 2025 manifesto is creating a city where every child feels safe, respected, valued and included. Elected by 7,688 children and young people across Leeds, Sienna’s campaign focuses on promoting kindness, belonging and confidence while standing together against bullying.
As part of her manifesto, Sienna introduced a simple but powerful idea at her school: a “Take What You Need” Board. The board has quickly become a popular wellbeing resource that children can access throughout the day for a little boost of positivity, a smile, encouragement or inspiration.
We are now inviting schools, youth groups, libraries, community organisations and council teams across Leeds to create their own versions and share their impact as part of the wider Child Friendly Leeds Wish 3 ambition and Sienna’s citywide Be You campaign.
Support the “Be You” Campaign
Another part of Seinna’s manifesto is the “Community Champions “Be You” campaign, encouraging influential people across Leeds to share simple but powerful anti-bullying messages that celebrate diversity, kindness and inclusion. The Leeds Children’s Mayor has a simple but powerful message: together, we can help make Leeds the best city for every child and young person.Schools, youth groups and organisations are encouraged to share the campaign video. View the campaign video can be shared using this link – https://youtu.be/eRYlgL9N1aY.
🎥 Watch the film and hear directly from young people about the difference we can all make.
📲 Share the film with your networks to help amplify children’s voices.
💙 Support the 12 Wishes by thinking about how you, your organisation, school or youth group can play a part in making them a reality.
A huge thank you to all our partners who continue to champion the Leeds Children’s Mayor programme and the 12 Wishes. Featuring:
- Nicola Adams OBE, Professional Boxer
- Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE, Leeds Rhinos
- Joe Rodon, Leeds Utd
- James Justin, Leeds Utd
- Dan James, Leeds Utd
- Karl Darlow, Leeds Utd – Man Utd
- Dexter Sol Ansell, Actor
- Lisa Riley, Emmerdale & Host
- Zoe Henry, Emmerdale
- Sienna Silva-Farber, Children’s Mayor of Leeds for 2025-2026
Your support helps young people lead change and shape a more child-friendly Leeds. Together, let’s keep listening, acting and making a difference.
What is a “Take What You Need” Board?
A Take What You Need Board is a child-friendly wellbeing display filled with positive messages, jokes, affirmations, challenges and words of encouragement. At Sienna’s school, it is located in a busy corridor where all pupils can access it independently throughout the school day. Children can:
- Take a card when they need a boost.
- Read and return it.
- Keep it for a while if they need it.
- Share it with a friend.
- Use challenges and kindness prompts to spread positivity.
How to Create Your Own “Take What You Need” Board
Step 1: Find a Visible Location
- Choose a place that children and young people pass regularly.
- This could be places such as corridors, libraries, reception areas, youth club spaces, dining halls or community centres.
Step 2: Create Different Sections
- Need a Smile? – Funny jokes and silly facts.
- Need Encouragement? – Positive affirmations and confidence boosters.
- Need a Challenge? – Acts of kindness and friendship challenges.
- Need Inspiration? – Motivational quotes and wellbeing tips.
Step 3: Make it Child-Led
- Ask children and young people to create messages, artwork, quotes, challenges, facts and jokes.
Step 4: Refresh Regularly
- Create opportunities to update the content throughout the year
- For example involving School Councils, Youth Voice Groups, MindMate Ambassadors, Wellbeing Teams and Peer Mentors.
What did the children say?
“It lifts people’s feelings up and makes them laugh and feel happy.” – Mara
“It’s a good way to make someone feel better.” – Henley
“I like how it’s for everyone.” – Summer
“It can cheer people up when they’re sad.” – Alice
“It makes everyone feel happy.” – Katie
“I like the design and the things on it.” – Kate
Help Sienna Make a Difference
Create a Take What You Need Board, share the “Be You” campaign video, celebrate diversity through activities and events, promote kindness through buddy systems and peer support and finally, share your impact and learning:
- Count Engagement e.g. number of cards taken each week, most popular sections, how often cards need replenishing, number of children contributing content.
- Gather Pupil Voice e.g what do you like about the board, how has the board helped you or a friend, what would you like to add?
- Look for Stories of Impact e.g. new friendships formed, children supporting each other, increased confidence and positivity, examples of kindness inspired by challenges.
- Share Your Impact Across Leeds e.g. post on social media, share photos of your boards / children’s feedback, participation figures and stories of impact.
By measuring our impact and sharing our learning, we can build a city wide movement that turns Sienna’s vision into reality.
