Council nominated for two national awards

Sam Neath is nominated for the Biggest Impact Award at the National Children and Young People Awards

The City of Wolverhampton Council has been shortlisted for two categories in national awards that recognise excellence in care for children, young people and families.

Among the nominees at the National Children and Young People Awards is Sam Neath, a young persons advisor at the council, who is in the running for the Biggest Impact Award.

This is for his efforts in spearheading the National Championship Cup football tournament for care leavers, which took place at Molineux Stadium in the summer.

The council's Reach Leaving Care Team has also been shortlisted for its partnership working with the Wolves Foundation and Little Earth.

The winners will be announced at the ICC in Birmingham on 3 October.

Mr Neath organised the National Championship Cup along with the Reach Leaving Care Team and the Wolves Foundation, after talking to a young person who was no longer involved in football because he lacked the support network to take him to games and training.

More than 200 young care leavers aged 16 to 24 from across England gathered for the six-a-side tournament in June, with the event receiving praise in the House of Commons.

The first tournament was held in 2022, with it doubling in 2023 and being held at Molineux for the first time in 2024.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan said the tournament was "an unforgettable experience" for care leavers and fostered "a sense of community and belonging, which can often be lost for some when leaving care".

"Sam's ambition and his mantra, 'anything is possible,' reflect his commitment to the tournament's growth, and it is brilliant that his efforts have been recognised by the National Children and Young People Awards," she said.

The National Championship Cup football tournament for care leavers was held at Molineux Stadium in the summer

The Reach Leaving Care Team has been recognised for its partnership work with Wolves Foundation and Little Earth, working with young people who have been in care in Wolverhampton.

Through three retreats, the council said the team had created safe spaces to support young people.

Ms Coogan added: "Our Reach Leaving Care team has demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving outcomes for care experienced young people in Wolverhampton through innovative and meaningful partnership working."

She said the team had "created transformative experiences that promote healing, empowerment, and aspiration".