Sparks Awards Nominations
- Nominations closed on the 31 July 2026.
- Judging took place 6-11 August.
- Shortlisted nominations have been indicated in a box at the top of each category with all nominations received below.
Judges includes sponsors, as well as representatives from council, health, police and the youth council. Those shortlisted from the nominations will be invited to the awards dinner on 22 October where we will announce the winners.
Award categories and full list of nominations
For demonstrating exceptional dedication and knowledge.
Jess Lines
Jo Leggett
Rebecca Glenn - William Law CE Primary School
Vicky Bowman
- Katie Charles
- Mrs Pallister
- Megan Clements
- Miss Ramarope, Stanground Academy
- Ms Riddy, primary school teacher
- Matthew Cannon
- Miss Mason - winyates primary school
- Mrs Michelle Richardson
- Miss Baker, Thorpe Primary Academy
- Marya Ali
- Nicola Gooderson
- Deepa Krishnanand Hattangady
- Deepa Karnad
For professionals or teams who have best involved children and young people in service improvement or decision-making.
Arif Hasham
Shannon Parker
Bernadetta Omondi
- Culture community CIC
- Angel
- Participation Team, Children's Services, Peterborough City Council
Awarded to one person who these children feel has been a shining light in the lives of children. This award is nominations solely from young people
Joshua Harris (The Joshie-Man)
Jackson Clarke
Abdul Naser Abdul Rahman
Rowena Goodfellow
Fran Raymond
David Pakai
Young People’s Award - Voting form - closes 10 September 2026
- Shannon Ward
- Kate Holcroft
Recognising a team whose collaborative work has transformed outcomes for children.
Centre 33 Young Carers Team
Peterborough House Project
Special Connexions
Youth Justice Team
- Young Tech Academy
- Top yard school of boxing
- The Peterborough Music Hub
- Peterborough City Hospital A&E team
- The Hebden School of Dancing
- City of Peterborough College - John Mansfield Campus
- Smiley Faces Day Nursery
- Culture Community
- Family Nurse Partnership
- Kindred Drama
- IGL Transport Ltd Private Hire Operator
- At Johns Newman Catholic Primary School
- Stars preschool Parnwell
- David Lloyd Kids Club
- Peterborough Rugby Club
- Peterborough Cathedral Education Team
- Whittlesey Warriors netball club
- Bright Stars Day Nursery Team
- Careers - St John Fisher
- Youth Transformation
- Firebreak team
- Stars Day Nurseries
- Stanground St John’s Preschool
- Michelle and Phil - Childminder Gunthorpe
- Acorn Academy Day Nursery
- Student Wellbeing Services and Safeguarding Team (Inspire Education Group)
- Ieduc8 Academy
- Railworld Wildlife Haven Volunteers
For an individual who has gone above and beyond in advocating for children’s rights and welfare.
Amelia Cole
Chloe Fagan
Tracy Dyer
TWYA (Women & Children)
- Hebdon school dance
- The African Parent
- Alex Seager
- Gemma Connoley
- Amelia Cole, ChISVA at PRCCG
- Culture Community CIC
- Ellie Burton
- Sanjana Sharma
- Desi bistro
- Zoe Clark
- Alex MacFarlane Hampton college
- Michelle Moran
- Fen Hands
- Ivelina Banyalieva
- Kate Mackereth at Ravensthorpe primary academy
- Kieron Stephens
- Carolyn Coenen
- Strong roots Childminding
For outstanding impact on children’s mental or physical health
Centre 33
Children in care health team
Family Nurse Partnership
Sarah Jessop
- Meridian Gymnastics Club
- ST complete Care
- Tiny Heartbeat Heroes UK - Charity No. 1215652
- Hambreen Hanif
- Boroughbury Medical Centre Dr R Tunkuda
- Abi Robinson Barnados
Awarded to a partnership (across agencies or sectors) that has demonstrated exceptional joint working to support children.
Cold Water Shock: When Fun Turns Fatal campaign
Firebreak Programme (Diversion team)
Greater Peterborough UTC
The joint work of the Police Criminal Exploitation Hub, Young People's Safeguarding and Youth Justice
- Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Baby Week Partnership
- Tiny Heartbeat Heroes UK Charity - 1215652
- Children Emergency Dept
- Recycling Team, The Green Backyard and Project Abundance
- Kelly Joiner - Thomas Deacon - Community Engagement Lead
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children’s Health Services
For their commitment and passion towards involving children in sport, health and fitness.
Alistair Dobson - Peterborough RUFC
Bilal Javid - who coaches at top yard school of boxing
Gabija Kalinauskaite
Scott Collins
- Super Star Sport Peterborough / Mark Arnold
- Peterborough BMX Club
- Peterborough Rugby Union Football CLub
- Egle Norvilaite - Happy Kids and Senior Fitness Club
- Chris Baker
- Steve Thorpe/ Free Kicks Foundation
- Youth dreams project
- Teja
- Peterborough Ravens
- Shannon Parker- Let It Out Programme
- Peterborough Town Cricket Club
- Stuart Cave
- FC Peterborough
- Leduc8
For new or creative approaches making a tangible difference for children.
Emma Smith
Jason Fenn
Naomi and Hannah Moxon - NH Vocal Coaching
Xidus Pain
- E-scape Project and Peterborough Womens Aid
- Emma Cumbridge
- STEM team led by Karl Swift at Ormiston Bushfield Academy
- Centre 33 Engagement and Support team (North)
- Greater Peterborough UTC
Highlighting outstanding contribution from a voluntary or community group or individual volunteer.
Culture Community
Dave Poulton & Kez Hayes-Palmer - Up The Garden Bath/Unity
Tim & Liz Burgess
- Top Yard school of boxing
- Georgina Harrison
- Safia Hakimi
- Caring Together Charity
- 17th Nene The Hamptons/Scouts/ James York
- Ormiston Meadows Academy
- Susan Hodge, Helpston Cubs leader
- Sanjana Sharma
- Peterborough Rugby Club
- Roisin O'Shea
- Lynda Pilsworth
- Victoria Stockwell
- Nadia Ross
- Yasmin Lutz
- Clare Torrence
- Darren Shaffick Richardson
- Dianne Lyons
- Kath Danks
- Lynn Guest
- Dawn (Werrington Guiding)
- Fen Hands
- Nina Doughty Colbert
- Julaybib Project - Natalia Zaman
- Michelle Kelly
- Louise Cobb
- Katie Middleton
- Little Miracles Charity
- Panel Member Volunteers
For excellence in safeguarding children from harm or risk.
Childrens Safeguarding team North west Anglia Hospitals
Clare Post - William Law CE Primary School
Sallyann Frisby
Shanaigh English
- Sanjana Sharma
- Steph Gilder and Emma Champion at Woodston Primary school
- Maternity Safeguarding Team
- Ken Stimpson Acadamy - Deputy Safeguarding Lead
- Kate Holcroft
- Keelie Kerr
- Lauren Brooks (family safeguarding)
For contributing to positive outcomes for children with additional needs.
Claire Fotheringham - William Law CE Primary School
Jill Edwards
Julie Harding
Juliette Jones Higher Level Teaching Assistant Arthur Mellows Village College
Sophie Howe – Our SEND Adventure
- Senco and the Nest teachers assistants at Gunthorpe primary school
- Rachel Peacock
- Natalia Zaman
- Deanne Weise
- Johanna Woodham - Little Miracles Charity
- Alex Oram
- Family voice Peterborough
- Michel McNamara
- Michelle Leyland
- Kim McCamley
- Megan Moulds-Little Stars Day Nursery
- Pauline Boyden
- Fen Hands
- Alison Harrod
- Mrs Amanda Christophi
- Special connexions
- FAMILY VOICE
- Little Miracles Charity
- Strong Roots Childminding
For exceptional support for children in educational settings.
Greater Peterborough UTC
Inspire Education Group
Ormiston Bushfield Academy
Mrs Rachel Moorhouse
- Cheryl Thomson
- Precious Graham - Culture Community CIC
- Chloe Rayment
- Mr Reed - Ken Stimpson Academy
- Sanjana Sharma
- Clare Lodge Education Team
- Ms Michelle Duffy at Woodston Primary School
- Hampton Vale Primary Academy
- Megan Hodgkins
- Donna Barnes
- Mrs Kitching
- Oak activity
- Mr Brunt and all the staff at St Augustine’s junior school
- Odette Tattersall
- Thomas Deacon Academy
- Leduc8
For an individual with a long-standing, exceptional career in children’s services.
Heather Magee
Mohammed Younis OBE
Paul Clarke
Sam Davenport
- Sarah Brown
- Sue Hostead
- Karen D'Ambrosio
- Louise Ahmed
- Alison Amps
The judging process
- Impact: Evidence of positive, sustained change for children or families.
- Collaboration: Effective partnership working internally and/or externally.
- Innovation: Creativity in approach, overcoming barriers, or piloting new ideas.
- Involvement of Children/Young People: Extent to which children’s voices shape service delivery or improvement.
- Sustainability: Potential for continuing or replicating the work.
- Values and Professionalism: Embodiment of core values such as compassion, integrity, respect, and inclusion. Restorative practice, families first approach.
Nominations received will be shortlisted by a judging panel (which will have children represented on the panel) and votes cast for overall winner of each category.
