About Us – Bradford Youth Resilience

Unlimited Possibilities

Youth Resilience Programme

The Born in Bradford Youth Resilience Program is a place-based program which aims to create a positive environment in which young people can grow up, in order to build youth resilience and protect young people from the risks and harms of exploitation and violence.

The programme is based in Barkerend neighbourhood in BD3, Bradford East. The neighbourhood experiences high rates of deprivation, with high rates of unemployment, crime, and anti-social behaviour. There are a high number of children and young people at risk of exploitation, which contributes to violence and other forms of anti-social behaviour within the neighbourhood.

Co-Produced Action Plan

Over 18 months, a local action plan was developed through co-production, consultation and research. A Community Steering Group consisting of 27 community groups and organisations facilitated the co-production process. The Community Steering Group consists of community groups, faith settings, grassroots sports groups, female-led initiatives and local residents and activists. We engaged with young people for in-depth interviews and group discussions to ensure that young people were active contributors in the development of the local action plan. Community consultation involving observation during community events and activities supplemented the research. In total, more than 160 young people from the neighbourhood featured in the co-production of the action plan.

Annual Youth Forum

An Annual Youth Forum will offer all young people in the neighbourhood the opportunity to come together, have their voice heard, and inform local priorities. A diverse group of young people, reflective of the local community in terms of ethnicity, gender, and lived experiences, will be actively recruited to the forum.

Encouraging Positive Mental Health

Many young people face barriers in accessing mental health support due to stigma and limited awareness within some ethnic communities. A lack of safe spaces and activities leaves them vulnerable to exploitation. This initiative will engage young people through mainstream activities, including those funded by small grants, to connect them with support services, build skills, and foster aspirations.

Role Modelling and Career Support

Many young people in Barkerend have entrepreneurial aspirations but are often influenced by negative role models involved in criminality. To counter this, the initiative will promote positive role models from the community, including young professionals, parents, faith leaders, and tradespeople, through campaigns and engagement in schools, faith settings, and safe spaces. A structured mentorship program will train professionals and community figures to provide group-based guidance and support. Additionally, young people will receive career pathway support, exposing them to diverse opportunities in engineering, IT, skilled trades, creative industries, accountancy, and freelancing, helping them make informed career choices.

Capacity Building Measures

While the neighbourhood has a strong presence of grassroots community organisations, most of these work in siloes on a small scale, targeting specific demographics, often lacking organisational structure and evidence-based behaviour change mechanisms. To address these gaps, workshops and seminar-style sessions on behaviour change techniques, team-building, and social marketing will be provided to delivery partners, alongside training in project management, leadership, compliance, negotiation, transparency, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, finance, and grant administration. Through our consultation, we learned that clear and transparent small grant process is required to support previously excluded organisations, fostering capacity building and collaboration. A locally trusted, independent organisation will manage this process, equipping local groups with the skills and confidence to apply for and manage funding. Additionally, partnerships will be encouraged, and activities will be delivered across a diverse range of locations, including schools, faith settings, and other community spaces.