Young people from across West Yorkshire have showcased bold, creative solutions to real-world problems at the final of the Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge.
The programme brought together young innovators to develop ideas aimed at improving health, wellbeing and everyday life in their communities-culminating in a live showcase of the region’s most promising projects.
Contestants submitted video pitches and posters to present their ideas, with innovation at the heart of this year’s challenge.
A Platform for New Thinking
For organisers, the initiative was about more than just ideas-it was about giving young people the confidence and opportunity to shape the future.
Kelly Duggan from TPX Impact emphasised the importance of fresh perspectives:
“If we want a different future-for the economy, for people, for the environment-we need different ideas. And if we want different ideas, we need different perspectives, new voices and new ways of seeing and thinking about the world.”
“That’s why the Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge invited young people across West Yorkshire to step forward and creatively tackle some of the biggest issues affecting their health and happiness.”
Innovation in Action
Finalists explored a wide range of issues, from digital wellbeing to life skills and confidence-building.
A business advisor at the event praised both the quality and diversity of the ideas:
“We’ve had an amazing event celebrating the work young people have put in. There were ideas on everything-from improving study habits and tackling the influence of social media and doom-scrolling, to building confidence in cookery and even virtual youth clubs.”
“Innovation is about improving products and processes to make things better. The only constant in life is change-so how we change things for the better is critical to the world we want to live in.”
Switching Off to Reconnect
One idea tackling the impact of constant connectivity came from finalist Freya Webber, who proposed a phone-free social space.
“Hands Free Café is piloting a phone-free café experience. Customers lock their phones away on arrival-no notifications, no scrolling, just people and time.”
“It’s not anti-tech-it’s pro-attention.”
The concept reflects growing concerns among young people about the effects of screen time on focus and wellbeing.
The Winning Idea: Kindness Kitchen
The Most Viable Idea award-recognising the project with the strongest potential for real-world impact-went to Kindness Kitchen.
The initiative is a non-profit programme designed to help young people build independence through practical cooking and budgeting skills.
“It’s not just about how to cook or follow a recipe,” the winner explained.
“It’s about budgeting, meal planning, creating shopping lists, and using what’s already in your kitchen without wasting food.”
“It gives people the tools they need to care for themselves, look after their health, and do it all on a budget-because so many of us are.”
Recognition from the Mayor
A pre-recorded message from West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin praised the finalists for their creativity and commitment:
Aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds preparing to leave school, the project focuses on equipping young people with essential life skills.
“I’m so impressed with everything you’ve accomplished over the past two months.”
“You’ve developed inspirational, innovative solutions for health and happiness-and created real-world ideas designed to improve life for other young people in our communities.”
Turning Ideas into Reality
Winners received more than £600 in funding to help bring their ideas to life-transforming concepts into practical projects with real impact.
The Mayor’s Big Ideas Challenge continues to highlight the power of youth-led innovation, showing that the next generation isn’t just imagining change-they’re already making it happen.