The search is on to find Sunderland’s best and brightest young people.
Sunderland’s Young Achievers’ Awards are held annually to recognise and celebrate inspiring, driven, and creative young people who are making a meaningful impact in their city.
With nominations now open, organisers Together for Children, are calling on people across the city to nominate young people and groups – aged 8-18, or 8-25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their community or excelled in an area. See: Nominations, sponsorship and more information here.
The awards’ 11 categories span a range of disciplines including sport, personal growth, arts, environment, learning, and health and wellbeing.
Nominations close on Friday 12 December, with the awards presentation taking place on Friday 20 March at the Fire Station in Sunderland city centre.
Speaking about the awards, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills, Councillor Michael Butler said:
“We know there are hundreds of young people making an incredibly positive impact across Sunderland, helping to shape a more vibrant, healthy, and inclusive city. That’s why Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards are such a fantastic event.
“They are a brilliant opportunity to highlight the talent, creativity, and commitment of young people and groups who give so much back to our city. And I would urge anyone who knows of a young person or group, who they think should be given some well-earned recognition, to nominate them for one of our awards.”
Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards have been running for more 30 years. They recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of young people across the city, and are sponsored by partners including Sunderland Public Health, the Northern Academy of Music Education and Sunderland Carers.
Simon Marshall, Chief Executive of Together for Children and the city’s Director of Children’s Services, who will be compering this year’s awards ceremony, said:
“The Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards are the highlight of the TfC calendar and it’s always incredibly emotional, reassuring and inspiring to hear the amazing things young people are doing across our city that are making a difference to themselves and others.
“So, 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.”
There are 11 award categories with a highly commended and winner named in each – one overall winner is selected from all winners.
Last year’s Overall Winner of the Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards 2025 was 15-year-old Leon O’Connor Ahmadi (pictured above), who overcame multiple challenges to become a school leader and community champion.
The judges described Leon as ‘a remarkable Year 11 student whose perseverance and resilience have defined his educational and personal journey’ and ‘someone who gives ‘110 per cent in everything.’
Speaking after his win, Leon, who also took home the Achievement in Learning award, said:
“I didn’t expect to win at all so winning the learner and then the overall winner award too was great. I’m really proud of myself – it’s taken me a really long time to come out of my comfort zone but I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Award categories for the 2026 Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards are:
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
Overall Winner – chosen from all nominations received
