Chapeltown schoolboy Bahrawar Zaidan Ahmad elected Leeds Children’s Mayor after more than 7,000 young people took part in a city-wide vote
Most ten-year-olds have plenty to think about between school, homework and spending time with friends. Bahrawar Zaidan Ahmad has added something extraordinary to that list: representing the children of Leeds.
The Year 6 pupil from Dixons Trinity Chapeltown has been elected Leeds Children’s Mayor for 2026–2027, following a city-wide election in which more than 7,000 young people voted.
His name was announced at Leeds Civic Hall on Tuesday 13th October, ending months of campaigning and starting a year he hopes will make a real difference to other children.
At the heart of Bahrawar’s campaign is something he feels strongly about: children’s mental health.
He wants young people to know that feeling worried, anxious or overwhelmed is nothing to be ashamed of and that asking for help should never feel difficult.
“I feel incredibly honoured to have been elected as the next Leeds Children’s Mayor and I am truly grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported my campaign,” he said.
“Mental health is something I care deeply about because no child should ever feel that they have to face their worries alone.
“I want to help make it easier for young people to find support, speak openly about how they feel and know that there is always someone willing to listen.”
FROM A SCHOOL IDEA TO CITY HALL
Bahrawar’s journey began when he came across the Leeds Children’s Mayor competition and decided on his own to give it a go.
He researched what was involved, put together his manifesto and gave it to his headteacher, Mrs Watson, to submit.
What started as an idea from a determined schoolboy has now taken him all the way to Civic Hall.
His interest in helping others runs through the family.
His grandfather, Haji Riaz Ahmad, devoted many years to supporting people in his community, and that spirit of giving back has continued through the generations.
This family influence has shaped Bahrawar’s belief that, even at ten years old, he can do something worthwhile for others.
And he certainly has some ideas.
His manifesto includes a website bringing together mental health services for children across Leeds, so young people and their families can find help more easily.
He also wants schools to have trained pupil wellbeing ambassadors – children who can look out for classmates, offer a friendly ear and encourage anyone struggling to speak to someone who can help.
His third proposal is a city-wide ‘Your Mind Matters Day’ giving pupils time away from school pressures to enjoy sport, music, art and activities that help them feel good.
They’re ambitious ideas, but Bahrawar hopes to work with the Leeds Children’s Mayor team to make them a reality.
A PROUD MOMENT FOR THE FAMILY
In a remarkable family double, Bahrawar is following in the footsteps of his older sister, Wania Ahmad, who was elected Leeds Children’s Mayor in 2019 – making it two young mayors from the same family, seven years apart!
Away from his new civic responsibilities, Bahrawar is still a regular ten-year-old who enjoys rugby, boxing and spending time with his friends.
Despite the excitement of winning, he hasn’t forgotten the people who helped him get there.
He has thanked his school and headteacher for encouraging him, along with the schools, youth groups and individuals who supported his campaign.
His family have been there every step of the way. Bahrawar has spoken warmly of their support, especially the sacrifices his father has made to help him pursue his ambitions.
But perhaps the people he is most keen to make proud are the young voters who put their faith in him.
“I am excited to work with the Leeds Children’s Mayor team to bring my manifesto to life,” he said.
“This is about more than winning an election; it is about representing young people, listening to their experiences and doing everything I can to make a positive difference.”
There will be new faces to meet, civic events to attend and plenty to learn over the coming year.
But Bahrawar already knows what he wants to achieve – he wants children across Leeds to feel that somebody is listening to them – and that when life gets difficult, they don’t have to face it on their own.
