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 their city.
Together for Children are organising the event and calling for nominations for young people and groups aged 8-18 (or 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). See: Nominations, sponsorship and more information here.
The award categories recognise the wide variety of interests of the city’s young people and span a range of disciplines including sport, personal growth, arts, environment, learning, and health and wellbeing. Nominations close on Friday 31 January 2025.
“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.”
Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills, Councillor Michael Butler
The 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 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, local business operator and lead singer of renowned Sunderland band The Futureheads, will be hosting the awards which will take place on Friday 4 April at the Fire Station in Sunderland city centre.
Hyde’s company, Northern Academy of Music Education (NAME) is sponsoring a new Music Award category, to put the focus on emerging musical talent on Wearside. NAME is Sunderland’s leading music degree provider and works in partnership with the University of Sunderland delivering a BA and MA focusing on music industry skills.
“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.”
Barry, speaking of his involvement in the awards
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 while the former health award has been split into two newly redefined categories – Young Health and Wellbeing Champion and Young Mental Health Champion.
“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.”
Simon Marshall, Chief Executive and the city’s Director of Children’s Services
Last year’s Overall Winner of the Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards 2024 was 18-year-old Molly Mackings (pictured above centre) who also took home the Young Carer Award. As a carer for her mum who has Multiple Sclerosis, her brother and another family member with disabilities, Molly was chosen as Overall Winner for the compassion, dedication and kindness she shows daily and for her commitment to striving for inclusivity and empowerment.
“Winning the Sunderland Young Achiever Young Awards felt surreal as I won it for being a carer which is something I do in my everyday life, and is just normal to me, so I really didn’t expect to win.
“After hearing so many wonderful and inspiring stories throughout the night when my name was read out as overall winner, I didn’t even realise it was me, and I was looking around for the winner! Winning the award means so much, it has helped me with my career, my confidence and it has made me feel like what I’ve been doing my whole life has really meant something.”
Molly, speaking of the win
