Local businesses, education establishments, youth groups, sports clubs, and friends and families from Sunderland are being urged to put forward nominations for young people who are making a positive impact at work or in their local community.
Nominations for the annual Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards are now open and celebrate inspiring, driven and creative individuals aged from 8-18 years (or 25 years for those with special educational needs and disabilities) who are making a real difference across Wearside.
Together for Children, organisers of the event, are now calling for nominations for the 2025 awards which recognise a wide variety of interests of the city’s young people.
This spans a range of disciplines including sport, personal growth, arts, environment, learning, and health and wellbeing.
Categories include Bringing Communities Together Award; Young Health and Wellbeing Champion; Young Mental Health Champion; Arts and Culture Award; Music Award; Young Carer Award; Youth Voice Award; Young Environmental Champion Award; Achievement in Learning Award; Sport and Physical Activity Award; Personal Growth Award, and an overall winner chosen from all nominations received.
Nominations can be made online at www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/SYAA and close on Friday 31 January 2025.
Councillor Michael Butler, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills at Sunderland City Council, said: “The Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards offer a vital platform for young people and groups to highlight their talent, creativity and commitment. This is really important.
“There are hundreds of young people making a positive impact, helping to shape a more vibrant, healthy and inclusive city.
“This year, we’re introducing the new ‘Bringing Communities Together’ award, which alongside the wide range of categories truly reflects the positive actions happening throughout our city. We encourage as many people as possible to nominate.”
For the second year running, Barry Hyde, local business operator and lead singer of renowned Sunderland band, The Futureheads, will be hosting the awards which take place on Friday 4 April at The Fire Station.
Hyde’s company, Northern Academy of Music Education (NAME), is sponsoring a new music award category to put focus on emerging musical talent from Wearside.
NAME is the city’s leading music degree provider and works in partnership with the University of Sunderland delivering a BA and MA focusing on music industry skills.
Speaking of his involvement in the awards, Barry said: “The Futureheads were delighted to have received an honorary Young Achievers’ Award in 2006, and I was incredibly proud to be asked to support the event as host.
“To celebrate the achievements of young people in the city we’re all so passionate about, is truly special.
“It was encouragement that I received in my early days as a musician that gave me the confidence to pursue my aspirations and become a professional songwriter and performer, touring the globe and following a creative path.
“This year, I’m really excited about sponsoring the new music category through Northern Academy of Music Education and we hope to encourage even more people to nominate across all categories.
“It’s a fantastic event that shines a well-deserved spotlight on the talent, hard work and dedication of young people in our community.”
The Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards have been running for more than 30 years and a high calibre of nominations is once again expected for 2025.
There are 11 award categories with a highly commended and winner named in each – one overall winner is then selected from all winners. New categories for 2025 include the ‘Bringing Communities Together Award’ and the ‘Music Award’, while the former Health Award has been split into two newly redefined categories – ‘Young Health and Wellbeing Champion’, and ‘Young Mental Health Champion’.
Simon Marshall, Chief Executive and the city’s Director of Children’s Services, added: “I’d like to encourage everyone to nominate the young people and groups who are making a difference in Sunderland.
“It’s a powerful way to show how much we care and to recognise the incredible contributions they’re making in our communities.
“Their efforts may not always be in the spotlight, but the Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards are the ideal way to celebrate their contribution and showcase how they are shaping the future of our city in meaningful ways.”
The event is sponsored by partners including Public Health, Integrated Care Board, Everyone Active and Sunderland Carers’ Centre. Previous winners have included Paralympic Gold Medallist Matt Wylie.