Since Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II launched Child Friendly Leeds 10 years ago, it has been fantastic to see that ambition grow. In reaching this special birthday, there has been so much to celebrate! From ‘Child Friendly Leeds Live’ celebrations, to ‘Baby Week’, and the ‘Child Friendly Leeds Awards’; events have been held that both create special memories for thousands of children and young people and bring together a wide range of professionals and child friendly organisations. A variety of city-wide competitions have done everything from keeping children active and engaged during lockdowns, to reshaping our city centre, so that it better suits the needs of children and families. And even led to Leeds achieving the first ever National Leadership Award for Public Services.

Child/Young Person of the Year: Amran Neshat

Youth Group of the Year: Rothwell Windmill Youth Club

Adult Making a Difference for Young People: Julie Roper

Schools Award for Local Heroes: Zarach Leeds & Bex Wilson

Inspiring Creativity Through Arts and Culture: LS18 Rocks

Best Place in Leeds for Children and Young People: Think Like a Pony

Overall Contribution to Making Leeds a Child Friendly City: Leeds Baby Bank

The book’s creation has been a long-term wish of the council’s Children’s Social Services team, who have worked closely with young and unaccompanied asylum seekers in the city. Child Friendly Leeds was able to provide key support to the project by introducing the team to The British Library, which have worked nationally to improve opportunities for children and young people. Together, they facilitated five cohorts of young people to cook together and learn about each other’s lives before they arrived in the UK. These sessions were then curated into the book. The fantastic partnership project was featured in the Financial Times and The Guardian!  

• Baby Week is an initiative aimed at bringing sectors and services together to promote the ‘best start’ in life; support parents, carers and families; promote good health and wellbeing and celebrate babies! This year’s theme for Baby Week Leeds is ‘Back to Basics’ and will take place 14-20 November. Following a few years of uncertainty and change, we hope to share people, places, services, and resources to help guide your way whether you're an expectant / new parent / carer, professional working in maternity and early years or anyone who has an interest in promoting the best start. Find out what’s going on and sign up to our opening event or upload your events here.

• Leeds 2023 is going to be amazing! In a spectacular celebration of Leeds culture, we're starting 2023 with an unmissable show.  Celebrate Leeds' cultural past, present and future at The Awakening, a live show at Headingley Stadium.
• Leeds 2023 are also have many opportunities. With full and part-time roles, freelance positions and vital volunteering opportunities, LEEDS 2023 is a chance to make your mark on a magical moment in time for the city—and our people. Find out more here.

• Creative Skills Festival is new to the city taking place 14-18 November 2022. In November 2022, the Employment and Skills Service will host the first Leeds Creative Skills Festival (LCSF) in the city, with a weeklong roadshow of activities.
• If you are an employer or organisation who works in, advertising and marketing, architecture, crafts, design,(including product, graphic and fashion), film, TV, video, VFX and SFX, IT, video games, software and computer services (creative tech), museums, libraries, galleries and heritage, music, performing and visual arts and publishing and would like to get involved we would really like to hear from you. If you would like to find out more or if you are interested in getting involved, please email: esemployers@leeds.gov.uk.