Young people in care celebrated for resilience, talent and achievement at Rochdale awards event

Thursday, 9 October 2025 18:04

By David Murphy

Children in care from across Rochdale were honoured for their remarkable achievements at a joyful awards ceremony that combined celebration, entertainment and heartfelt recognition.

Hundreds of children and young people in care have been recognised for their achievements during Rochdale Borough Council’s annual ‘Our Big Day’ event.

Held at Matthew Moss High School, the celebration brought together cared for children, carers, social workers and teachers for an uplifting awards ceremony that saw the Mayor of Rochdale and her consort handing out medals for individual and group successes.

The awards honoured a wide range of accomplishments, from personal development and resilience to progress in education, sport, and extracurricular activities. Children were praised for their kindness, determination, leadership and positive attitudes in the face of adversity.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said:

“Our Big Day is a celebration of the remarkable achievements of our cared for children and young people, and I’m honoured to share this special occasion with them.

It’s a powerful reminder of just how talented, bright and inspiring our children are. This year’s nominations truly reflected their strength of character and determination.”

As well as the awards, children enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment including appearances by Spiderman and Elsa from Frozen, inflatable games, face painting and outdoor activities. The event provided a joyful and safe space for families and children to enjoy themselves and mark their milestones.

The celebration was hosted by Rochdale Borough Council and supported by a number of local businesses and community sponsors. Backers included A&T Surfacing Ltd, Aquatherm, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, REAL Trust, GFM, Ed for All, Rochdale Hornets, Axiom, Casey, Conlon, George Cox, Rochdale Riverside, Morrisons, The Co-op and SRW Group.