(Image: Supplied)
The search is on for a North East city's most inspiring young people as nominations open for the city's annual Young Achievers' Awards.
Sunderland’s 2027 Young Achievers’ Awards will honour young people aged 8 to 18 who are helping their communities, overcoming adversity or showing outstanding talent.
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities can also be nominated up to the age of 25.
Councillor Carol Giles, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for children's services, education and social mobility, said: "The Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards shine a spotlight on some of the incredible things young people are doing in Sunderland.
"These awards are about celebrating not only talent and achievement, but also qualities like kindness, resilience, determination and willingness to help others.
"This is our opportunity to recognise and celebrate our exceptional young people, and I would encourage anyone who knows an individual or group doing something remarkable to put their name forward – being nominated can be a real confidence boost and show young people just how much their achievements are valued."
Cllr Carol Giles with children from the the Sandhill View Deaf Resources Group (Image: Supplied)
Together for Children organises the awards, which have 11 categories covering learning, sport, arts and culture, caring, personal growth and community involvement.
Nominations close on December 18, and the awards ceremony will be held at the Fire Station on April 16, 2027.
The awards have run since 1993 and recognised thousands of young people over three decades.
Last year’s overall winners, Sandhill View Deaf Resource Group, were praised for promoting deaf culture, British Sign Language and inclusion.
Judges called them “thoughtful, courageous and inspiring young ambassadors”.
A pupil from the group said: "We were very happy and excited to win this award; it did not feel real.
"Going out to deaf events and meeting other deaf people makes us feel excited to be part of the deaf community and has helped us to develop our deaf identity."
Other 2026 winners included Daisy May Knight, who set up a bereavement group for children after her brother’s death, and Oliver Hughes, who used drumming to cope with family challenges.
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Simon Marshall, chief executive of Together for Children and Sunderland’s director of children's services, said: "The Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards is always the most special event of the year.
"It's a real privilege to hear about everything our young people are doing across the city and to bring so many of those incredible stories together for a night filled with celebration, entertainment, fun and pride.
"The stories of last year’s winners demonstrated the remarkable impact young people can have on the lives of others, and I know there are many more inspiring stories waiting to be told."
Find more information and nomination details at www.togetherforchildren.org.uk/SYAA.