Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards returns for 2025!

Nominations are now open for the Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards 2025. The event celebrates inspiring, driven, and creative young individuals who are making a meaningful impact in Sunderland.

Together for Children are organising the event and are calling for nominations for young people and groups aged 8-18 (or 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

The award categories recognise the wide variety of interests of our young people and span a range of disciplines including sport, personal growth, arts, environment, learning and health and wellbeing and nominations close on Friday 31^st January 2025.

Speaking about the awards Councillor Michael Butler, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Child Poverty and Skills said: " The Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards offer a vital platform for young people and groups to highlight their talent, creativity, and commitment. In light of the events earlier this year, this has never felt more 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 and we encourage as many people as possible to nominate."

The Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards have been running for over 30 years to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of young people across the city, and 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.

For the second year running Barry Hyde, a local business operator and lead singer of renowned Sunderland band The Futureheads will be hosting the awards which will take place on Friday 4^th April at the Fire Station in Sunderland city centre. Hyde's company, Northern Academy of Music Education (NAME) will be sponsoring a new Music Award category, to put the focus on emerging musical talent on wearside. NAME is Sunderland's leading music degree provider, which works in partnership with University of Sunderland, delivering a BA and MA focusing on music industry skills. 

Speaking of his involvement in the awards Barry Hyde, added: "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 the 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"

 

There are 11 award categories with a highly commended and winner named in each - one overall winner is selected from all winners. New categories for the 2025 awards include the Bringing Communities Together Award and the Music Award whilst 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 Director of Children's Services said: "I'd like to encourage everyone to consider nominating 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."

Nominate and find out more about the Sunderland Young Achieves' Awards 2025 here.