Flourish Awards 2025 honours remarkable contributions to children and young people in Norfolk
Wednesday's Flourish Awards ceremony celebrated and recognised individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions across the county, as part of our shared ambition that Norfolk is a place where all children and young people can flourish.
The awards evening was hosted and compered by young people at The Assembly House, in Norwich, with over 140 guests. Musical entertainment was provided by Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub's very own Norfolk County Strings Quartet, Jaycee, Jessie and Norfolk Students' Jazz Orchestra.
Sara Tough, OBE, Executive Director Children Services and Chair of the Norfolk Children and Young People Strategic Alliance, which organised the awards, said: "As in previous years, I have been blown away by the absolute passion behind the nominations and most importantly the undeniable life changing effect so many people are making to the lives of our children and young people in Norfolk.
"The event was about our finalists, of course, but it was also an unmissable opportunity to celebrate all our nominees and indeed everyone working so very hard to help children and young people to flourish."
Councillor Penny Carpenter, cabinet member for Children's Services, said: "Every year it is an honour to attend the Flourish Awards and learn about the individuals, organisations and businesses who work tirelessly to support the children and young people in Norfolk.
"I'd like to personally congratulate the four amazing young comperes who hosted the evening with confidence, charm and professionally. They truly lit up the stage and should be proud of themselves."
Cllr Kay Mason Billig, Leader of the Council, said: "The Flourish Awards grows year on year, and we will continue to build on the successes that we celebrated on Wednesday night. By nurturing environments where every child and young person can flourish, we can ensure a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
"Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making this evening such a memorable occasion, and to all those who continue to champion the cause of children and young people in Norfolk."
This year, the Flourish Awards received more than 600 nominations, drawn from inspiring individuals, Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises (VCSE) organisations and groups, schools, statutory organisations including health, education, criminal justice and local authorities, and local businesses.
Eight winners were announced across the flourish categories, with 16 others celebrated as finalists. Winners were selected by a panel of children and young people drawn from Norfolk's Youth Advisory Boards, SEND Youth Forum, Young Carers Forum, In Care Council, Matthew Project Unity Forum and parents/carers from the Parent & Carer Panel and Family Voice Norfolk.
This year's awards recognised outstanding achievements across various categories. The full list of winner and finalists is:
Family and Friends Award
- Winner: Autism Explorers
- Finalist: Kings Lynn Neighbourhood Policing Team, Kings Lynn Cadet Unit and partners
- Finalist: Stronger Families Norfolk
Learning Award
- Winner: The Lighthouse
- Finalist: St Nicholas Priory CE VA School
- Finalist: Beth Sleet at Swaffham CE Primary Academy
Opportunity Award
- Winner: Our Space
- Finalist: North Norfolk Judo Club
- Finalist: Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) programme team
Understood Award
- Winner: Norfolk Youth Against Bullying (NYAB) Conference
- Finalist: SEND Youth Forum
- Finalist: NR Thirty Youth Panel
Resilience Award
- Winner: Savage Martial Arts
- Finalist: Red Balloon Norwich
- Finalist: S&L Self-Harm Distraction Kits
Individual Award
- Winner: Tackle Learning - Norfolk Community Sports Foundation
- Finalist: Twinkles SEN Activity Days
- Finalist: Tennis Able
Safe and Secure Award
- Winner: The Rose Project - The Magdalene Group
- Finalist: SPACE Partnership Project
- Finalist: Public Health Road Safety Team
Healthy Award
- Winner: The Parachute Project
- Finalist: UEA Sportspark Active Families Community Group
- Finalist: Paediatric Epilepsy Psychology Service
The awards ceremony was supported by Big Sky Creative LTD, Infant Feeding Friendly Norfolk, NewU, Norfolk & Suffolk Music Hub, The Assembly House Trust, Norwich Theatre and the Royal Norfolk Agriculture Association.
Sponsorship for each of the awards was kindly provided by Tailored Building, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, Repton Property Development, Freebridge Community Housing, UEA's Niche unit, ROARR!, JMR and the Royal Norfolk Agriculture Association.
