Carnival spirit as charity scoops children's choice in landmark Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2026

Holbeck Together was crowned winner of the ‘Children’s Choice Award’ – the only category voted for entirely by children at the prestigious annual awards, which this year also marks its 10^th anniversary.

The ceremony was held last night at City Varieties Music Hall, with a carnival-theme bringing a party atmosphere as around 400 attendees gathered to celebrate the dedication and achievements of those who go above and beyond to make Leeds the best place for children and young people to grow up in.

The ‘Children’s Choice Award’ was a new category for this landmark year, putting young people’s voices at the heart of recognising the places that matter most to them.

Winner Holbeck Together supports children and families across south Leeds, particularly in deprived areas, by providing meals in school holidays and hosting activities and days out – from trips to the local park as well as further afield, to the beach, a maze, wildlife park or water parks.

Its chief officer, Elissa Newman, said: “To actually get that feedback from the children themselves is great; we’re so appreciative and truly grateful. It’s so important to us, to know we’re providing the right services, the right trips and the right experiences.

“We’re just really keen to support children to help them make memories with their families and for themselves. When I see a coach pull away from here and the kids are excited for their day ahead, it’s quite emotional really.”

Another winner on the night was Chloe Smith, in the ‘Child/Young Person of the Year’ category. The 24-year-old was recognised for her tireless work to make sure fellow care leavers are well-equipped and supported as they transition into independent living.

She said: “It’s amazing. It was such a shock to even see that I had been recognised. I want to use my experiences to help others know how to run their home correctly – how to do meter readings and bleed radiators, for example – and take the stress out of it for them.”

Highly-commended in the same category as Chloe was young Katie Thirling, nine, who has been raising awareness of life with a stoma by sharing her story with other children and publicly on her Instagram platform.

The inspirational youngster has lived with a stoma – a small opening in the abdomen from where bodily waste is collected into a bag – for the past two years due to complicated bowel issues.

She said: “To even be nominated is incredible. I just want to try and help others. When I had my stoma surgery, I didn’t know what life would be like. I hoped it would be better but I didn’t know. But now I get to help other children, and even adults, feel better about themselves.”

This year also saw three separate winners crowned for the ‘Overall Contribution Award’, to recognise the vital contributions of public, private and third sectors – with respective winners revealed as The British Library for its work with care-experienced young people, King Pins at the White Rose Centre which hosts sessions for foster families and children in care, and the charity Afrikindness for its work supporting families facing poverty, inequality ad cultural barriers.

Also new this year was the ‘Sue Rumbold Award’, formerly the ‘Adult of the Year’ category, which was renamed in tribute to the late chief officer for partnerships and health at Leeds City Council, who was instrumental in bringing the Child Friendly Leeds vision to life.

The 2026 ceremony was once again solely shaped by young people, who led every aspect of the event, from deciding on the carnival theme and performances to hosting and production.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “We’re so proud to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of these remarkable awards which serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible work taking place across the city to champion our children and young people.

“It’s truly inspiring to see so many individuals and organisations going above and beyond to make such a positive impact on Leeds and has been a joy to be able to celebrate their achievements once again.”

The Child Friendly Leeds Awards 2026 was sponsored by businesses including Mott MacDonald, The ParkLane Foundation, first direct arena, Trinity Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, Shine Leeds, King Pins, Roxy Lanes, Leeds+ Social and Leeds City Council.

The full nominee shortlist can be viewed here: https://wearechildfriendlyleeds.com/2026/05/14/child-friendly-leeds-awards-2026-nominees/

All the winners and those highly commended on the night are listed below:

Category: 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 – Aged just nine, Katie raises awareness of life with a stoma using her lived experience, challenging stigma, promoting inclusion in schools, and campaigning for accessible bathrooms.

Category: 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 SEND Youth Council is a volunteer group of young people aged 11–25 with SEND who influence education, health and care services in Leeds.

Category: 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 – Ed leads the Streets and Spaces for Children initiative, including a landmark design hack where highways and transport professionals worked with Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors to turn children’s “dream school streets” into practical designs.

Category: Inspiring creativity through play, arts and culture

Winner: Yorkshire Contemporary – has transformed outdoor play in Beeston Hill by partnering with residents to create Leeds’ first adventure playground, The Play Patch.

Highly commended: Craftea Leeds – an inclusive creative café and play space supporting children’s wellbeing, communication and imagination through arts, crafts and play.

Category: 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 – The school demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing the impact of poverty and widening opportunities. Working closely with families and community partners in Harehills, the school provides food support, practical workshops and enrichment activities.

Category: 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 – A valued space where young people can make friends, stay active and enjoy a wide variety of activities including sport, dance and football.

Category: Overall contribution to making Leeds a child friendly city

Private 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. .

Public 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.

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.

ENDS

 

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