The Tender Awards 2026 celebrated students, teachers and campaigners for their support of Tender’s mission: to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence through creative relationships education.
The annual ceremony was hosted by Tender Patrons, Academy Award winning actress Olivia Colman and her husband, Producer and Screenwriter Ed Sinclair.
Olivia and Ed presented awards alongside Tender Ambassadors Jodie Whittaker (Dr. Who), Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office), Priyanga Burford (Industry),and Jo Johnson (Producer of Adolescence) as well as Tender supporters actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Ghosts), Natalie Fleet MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips MP, poet David Larbi and Nina Goswami (Head of Inclusion at Clifford Chance).
Susie McDonald MBE, CEO of Tender, said:
‘From teachers and students to campaigners and funders, Tender’s work would not be possible without so many people who support us and champion our work. Thanks to their passion, enthusiasm and commitment, we’re reaching more and more children and young people, engaging them in the powerful story of healthy relationships and building a future free from abuse.’
Award winners
Students Aly, Ethan, Katrina, Niven and Tanya from Camborne Village College were recognised for their incredible fundraising efforts to support Tender’s Healthy Relationships projects. Following the charity’s work with Camborne, five students were so inspired they became Healthy Relationship Ambassadors for the rest of the school, designing badges so they could be easily recognised and creating a whole school presentation to share their learning. The school’s recent event raised more than £800 for Tender.
A very special young woman from Barca Leeds received Tender’s Being Bold award. When Tender delivered a project at a Barca’s youth group, Holly committed to every session, asking important questions and encouraging others to the same. Her enthusiasm expanded the experience for the whole group, as seen in their brilliant presentation at the end of the project.
Malton School was recognised as the first North Yorkshire school to champion Tender’s work. Driven by Assistant Headteacher Lucy Williams, the school engaged Tender to deliver healthy relationships projects to Year 8 and 9 students, who went on to share their learning in a fantastic presentation to 150 of their peers.
Kian, a brilliant young man who took part in the Tender workshop at the Matthew Project in Norfolk, won the Outstanding Creative Response award. During the project, he wrote a set of lyrics to share his learning with his peers. The beauty of his writing shows a genuine passion for the issue and a real talent for the spoken word.
Forest Academy in Croydon was recognised for its commitment to Tender’s RE:SET programme with the Change Makers award. The primary school has gone above and beyond, reflecting on feedback, adapting their approach to meet the needs of every child, and embedding the RE:SET principles within both their RSHE curriculum and wider school culture.
Claire Imhasley from The Meadow and Amelia Kidwell from The Green House won the Connected Creative Workers award. Facilitators Claire and Amelia brought together their two home education learning communities for a specialist provision Healthy Relationships project with Tender. They each modelled positive engagement in the sessions, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their own reflections, and every young person felt safe and valued throughout.
A group of brilliant students from Coloma Convent were awarded the Phenomenal Women Award. Following Tender’s Healthy Relationships workshop, these girls were on a mission to use everything they’d learned to educate and support those around them. In addition to a creative poster campaign, the group hosted two panel events with leading experts on violence against women and girls, opening up difficult topics in a safe and dynamic way and engaging their whole school community.
Claudia Boetang from Coombe Wood was presented with the Driving Change award. Descibed as ‘amazing’ by her students, Claudia drove Tender’s whole school programme RE:SET, ensuring healthy relationships are embedded into the heart of the school.
Luis Dias from Wellspring Settlement was presented with the Connecting Communities award. When Tender ran a Healthy Relationships workshop the Swannery Girls Youth Group at Wellspring, Luis understood the importance of this education and made sure everyone got the most out of the workshop. His rapport with the young women and their school meant they felt comfortable and safe, and engaged with openness and confidence.
Abbey Grange C of E Academy was presented with the Ripple Effect award by Tender Ambassador and Dr Who. star Jodie Whittaker. As a highly diverse school, Abbey Grange is committed to inclusivity, and has worked with Tender ensure all their students can access to expert relationships education. Through the particular dedication of their Chaplain Kay Brown, thousands of students have experienced a Tender peer presentation about healthy relationships.
Surlingham and Rockland were presented with the Culture Change award. Both schools took part in RE:SET, Tender’s year-long whole-school approach programme, which works with teachers, students, parents and carers to build a healthy and creative culture across the whole school community. By embracing and investing in RE:SET, both schools have created a safe and respectful culture in which all young people can speak out and trust they will be listened to.
