Young Mental Health Champion - new name and criteria for 2025!
Young Mental Health Champion - new name and criteria for 2025!
Young Mental Health Champion - new name and criteria for 2025!
ABOUT THE CATEGORY: Young Mental Health Champion acknowledges young people who have made outstanding contributions to areas including mental health awareness, support, and education. It is awarded to individuals or group who have made a meaningful impact in reducing mental health stigma, improving access to mental health resources, and creating supportive safe spaces to talk about feelings and emotional health.
If you know a young person or a group who you think deserves to be recognised for their contribution to mental health wellbeing in Sunderland complete a nomination form here by Friday 31st January 2025.
This year we have split our former Wellbeing Champion Award into two categories - Young Health and Wellbeing Champion and Young Mental Health Champion to better reflect the entries we have previously received and celebrate the wonderful impact young people are making in Sunderland across these two very important areas.
Speaking about the two new health related categories Simon Marshall, Chief Executive and Director of Children's Services said: "For the 2025 Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards, we've restructured our former Wellbeing Champion Award into two distinct categories: Young Health and Wellbeing Champion, and Young Mental Health Champion. These new categories better acknowledge the outstanding contributions of young people promoting both mental wellbeing and physical health across our city. Initiatives like the Mental Health Charter Mark and the Healthy Schools Award highlight some of the great work happening within schools. We also know from speaking to young people that there's a wealth of activity outside of school environments addressing both mental health and physical wellbeing which we are proud to recognise with our two new categories. By acknowledging these areas at a young age, we are emphasising their importance to the long-term health benefits within our community. Celebrating these achievements, also means we are inspiring more young people to take active roles in shaping a healthier and a more supportive Sunderland."
Read all about the 2024 previous winners of our former Wellbeing Champion Award.
Highly commended: Wellbeing Warriors
The Ryhope Junior School's Wellbeing Warriors have worked tirelessly over the last few academic years to help achieve the bronze and silver Sunderland Mental Health Charter Mark awards. They are an active group who recognise that their voice can be heard, and they consistently give up their own lunchtimes and playtimes so that they can meet, discuss and share their suggestions with the rest of the school. They regularly provide updates to the children, families and staff in weekly 'Shine' celebration assemblies. In addition to this, they have led tours of school to governors, teachers and parents as part of open evening and whole school events.
Winner: Isaac Bates
Isaac has turned himself around from being excluded from his previous school to being a role model and peer at the Link School where he has attended for over a year.
The past 12 month has seen Isaac develop in many ways especially in regard to health and wellbeing. He is a member of Wearmouth Boxing club which he attends 4 evenings each week. His commitment to this form of training has been exemplary and he is now using his free evening time to run 2 miles or swim.
Isaac is the Link School Mindful warrior representing learners from key stage 1 and 2, and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Attending weekly mindfulness sessions with the school mindfulness practitioner, he supports her with ideas to then support the school community.
This award is sponsored by North East and Cumbria ICB
The North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) has responsibility for commissioning healthcare services of the former Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG's).
"Our vision is to improve the health, wellbeing and life expectancy of people in Sunderland."
