ABOUT THE CATEGORY: Recognises young people or groups who have worked to promote and improve health and wellbeing in their educational setting or local community. This includes activities like 5 Ways to Wellbeing and general health promotion such as oral health, nutrition, substance misuse, vaping, sexual health and road, water and fire safety.
Find out more about our 2026 winners below.
Winner: Lola Mae Stephenson
Lola is only 11 years old, yet she has already shown an extraordinary commitment to helping others and improving the wellbeing of her community. Over the past few years, she has become an ambassador for three charities - 4Louis, Melanoma Me Foundation and Sunderland Soup Kitchen - raising thousands of pounds and giving countless hours of her time. She also supports Amber's Legacy and A Sisterhood, helping provide dignity items, bras, and essentials to women and girls around the world.
Lola also creates sleeping bags, ground sheets and hygiene packs filling them with essentials for people experiencing homelessness. She regularly donates hot chocolate and biscuits to Sunderland Soup Kitchen and raises awareness for those living without basic comfort or safety. At 4Louis, she volunteers making bereavement boxes for families facing the unimaginable loss of a child. As a young ambassador for Melanoma Me, she helps raise vital funds and awareness. She also runs her own campaign platform, speaking out about homelessness, bullying, hygiene poverty and mental health. Despite facing her own challenges - including dyslexia and ongoing assessments for autism and ADHD - Lola never stops trying and uses her experiences to fuel her determination.
Highly commended: Jake Taylor
Southmoor Academy youth club run by Sunderland Community Action Group (SCAG) 5 years ago as a quite and reserved young person. Over time, he has grown into a confident youth advocate and a positive role model, regularly supporting the wellbeing of others in the group. His kindness, enthusiasm and willingness to get involved have made a lasting impact on both the youth club and his peers.
Jake has taken part in local mental health campaigns, contributing to consultations, designing posters, helping shape activities and even improving the local area by painting colourful designs on community planters. His growing confidence has encouraged other young people to join in too. He has helped plan events such as Weardale Adventure Centre trips, football games, darts tournaments and beach clean ups - each supporting the physical and emotional wellbeing of the group.
Beyond the club, Jake has achieved incredible personal milestones and calls his autism his superpower. He joined a band, takes part in songwriting and performing at concerts that raised money for local causes. He also completed the James Cook sailing expedition, helping crew the vessel across the North Sea.
This award is sponsored by Sunderland City Council's Public Health team
Since April 2013, Councils have been responsible for improving the health of their residents. Sunderland City Council do this through a range of public health activity, including the Sunderland Healthy City Plan 2020-2035, our strategy to improve health and reduce inequalities, ensuring no one is left behind.
