Peterborough launches city-wide Spark Awards to celebrate everyone who supports and inspires children.
Peterborough City Council has launched the Spark Awards, a new city-wide celebration recognising the individuals, teams and organisations who support, protect and inspire children and young people across Peterborough.
The awards are designed to shine a light on the dedication, care and innovation of everyone who works with or for children in the city, from professionals and frontline staff to volunteers and community champions. In fact anyone who works with children in our city. Nominations are open to all people working with children across education, health, policing, children’s social work, the voluntary sector and partner organisations.
The Spark Awards will celebrate the people who go above and beyond every day to help children and families thrive, recognising the shared effort across Peterborough to give every child the support, opportunities and encouragement they need to succeed.
If you know an individual, team or organisation making a difference to children and young people in Peterborough, you can nominate them before 31 July. Nominations are now open across a wide range of categories, including:
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Children’s Champion Award — for an individual who has gone above and beyond in advocating for children’s rights and welfare.
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Outstanding Team Award — recognising a team whose collaborative work has transformed outcomes for children t.
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Partnership Excellence Award — awarded to a partnership (across agencies or sectors) that has demonstrated exceptional joint working to support children.
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Lifelong Service Award — for an individual with a long-standing, exceptional career in children’s services.
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Innovation in Practice Award — for new or creative approaches making a tangible difference for children.
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Young Person’s Voice Award — for professionals or teams who have best involved children and young people in service improvement or decision-making.
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Voluntary Sector Star — highlighting outstanding contribution from a voluntary or community group or individual volunteer.
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Health and Wellbeing Award - for outstanding impact on children’s mental or physical health
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Education Award - for exceptional support for children in educational settings.
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Safeguarding Award - for excellence in safeguarding children from harm or risk.
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Teacher of the Year - for demonstrating exceptional dedication and knowledge.
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SEND Hero - for contributing to positive outcomes for children with additional needs.
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Sports Hero - for their commitment and passion towards involving children in sport, health and fitness.
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Young Person’s Award — nominated and voted for exclusively by young people and care‑experienced individuals. Awarded to one person who children feel has been a shining light in the lives of children.
Young people will play a central role in shaping the ceremony, from judging panels to entertainment and potentially presenting awards.
Nominations close on 31st July, following which judging will take place and finalists will be announced and invited to attend the Spark Award Ceremony. The award ceremony will take place on 22 October 2026 at Peterborough’s Marriott Hotel, and is expected to become a flagship annual event.
Cllr Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services said: “The Spark Awards are about celebrating the people right across our city who help children and young people feel supported, inspired and able to thrive. Every day, there are individuals and teams making a lasting difference in children’s lives, often without seeking recognition, and these awards are our chance to shine a light on their compassion, commitment and care.
“I would love to see nominations coming in for the shining stars who support children across Peterborough, whether that is teachers, Scout and Guide leaders, sporting charities, youth workers, volunteers or dedicated professionals in our services and communities. These are the people who go the extra mile, who encourage children to believe in themselves and who help shape brighter futures, and they deserve to be recognised. Please nominate someone special before 14 July 2026.”
Special thanks to our sponsors whose generous support and commitment have made the Children’s Spark Awards 2026 possible: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Morgan Sindall Construction.
For more details about the awards and to nominate visit the sparks website.