Year 1

Small Grants

Abu Hurairah Academy

Abu Hurairah Academy delivered activities focused on coping with bereavement and grief, encouraging open discussions around the often-taboo topics of death and loss. Their aim was to pass down cultural skills and knowledge related to burial services, which included taking young people to a graveyard as part of the learning experience. This activity was centred on fostering an appreciation of life and building resilience among young people. According to instructors, it evolved into a safe space where participants felt comfortable discussing difficult topics, allowing them to open up and express themselves throughout the programme.

Al-Hikmah Masjid and Learning Centre

The activity camps organised by Al-Hikmah fostered greater community cohesion and a stronger sense of pride among young people, who showed enthusiasm for engaging in physical activities and social interaction. They played football, participated in graffiti painting sessions, and took part in boxing courses. Being surrounded by mentors, coaches, and tutors positively influenced their behaviour and mannerisms, encouraging them to steer away from deviant and anti-social behaviour.

Aswad Arts + Rap for Good

Wilko Wilkes and Moss the Boss launched a seven-week rap and DJing crash course called Streetsoundz, offering young people free lessons at the Karmand Centre. The programme promoted resilience by providing an outlet for creativity as a tool for supporting good mental health. Several participants have begun writing in their own time for enjoyment, which is a hugely positive outcome. Over the weeks, young people have made new friends, strengthened their support networks, and grown in confidence.

Bradford Active Dance

Laura Liddon delivered dance sessions on Saturday mornings at a local community centre, offering young people the chance to engage in a creative and healthy activity. They learned new skills and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Laura committed herself to being both a mentor and a coach, building trust and serving as a positive role model for the young participants to look up to. Over the weeks, the young people developed their dance abilities and were given the opportunity to perform in front of a local audience. For many, it was their first time performing publicly, and the experience helped to build their confidence.

Bradford Youth Activity Club

Bradford Youth Activity Club dedicated itself to providing activities throughout the week for as many people in Barkerend as possible. Their aim was to reach individuals beyond the South Asian and Muslim community, casting a wider net to engage often overlooked members of the community. Over a six-week period, young people took part in swimming, quad biking, football, and other outdoor activities that kept them active and engaged throughout the summer. BYAC also organised a day trip to Blackpool, successfully taking over 100 people to enjoy a day at the beach and a spectacular fireworks display. This family event proved highly engaging for young people and helped to foster community cohesion across different backgrounds and cultures.

Carlton Bolling Boxing

The programme at Carlton Bolling Boxing proved highly effective in promoting positive behaviour change among the young participants. Both boys and girls remained consistently engaged, with strong attendance at nearly every session. Even during Ramadan, their enthusiasm and commitment to the programme remained evident, as many continued to participate with dedication and focus.

Friends of Seymour Park

Friends of Seymour Park (FOSP) delivered community clean-ups that fostered a positive and productive intergenerational environment. Young people actively contributed to the preservation of their local green space and had the opportunity to plant trees. This connection with the outdoors not only supported their wellbeing but also equipped them with skills in environmental sustainability. FOSP’s girls’ wellbeing workshops were led by a trusted and well-loved local community member. These sessions provided a safe space for girls to express themselves and take part in enriching activities they might not have otherwise accessed without parental supervision. Activities included field trips to the local zoo and Funzie, as well as learning henna design and dessert-making. Through these experiences, the girls grew in confidence and developed a strong sense of camaraderie.

Guru Gobind Gurdwara

Guru Gobind Gurdwara hosted its annual away day and camp at Blackhills Campsite in Bradford. The entire site was booked out for the day, offering a wide range of activities led by trained instructors, including tomahawk throwing, air rifle shooting, crate climbing, archery, and more. Despite the damp weather, both children and their parents provided highly positive feedback, with many of the children expressing a strong desire to return next year. Given the demographic of those attending the Gurdwara, this was the first opportunity for many of the children to experience a campsite and take part in such outdoor activities. A concerted effort was made by the Gurdwara to help the children connect with nature, with a particular focus on health, mental wellbeing, and building confidence. The programme also emphasised exercise and stress-relieving practices, such as meditation and open communication, creating a supportive environment where every child was encouraged to speak and share their thoughts.

Karmand Amateur Boxing Club

Karmand ABC delivered their Health Box activities with boys at a local community centre and with girls at a local faith setting (mosque). The sessions focused on developing self-defence skills and encouraging physical activity, alongside promoting healthy habits to support improved lifestyles. Despite challenges in securing a suitable venue due to flooding at the community centre, the organisation remained committed to finding a safe and welcoming space for young people to attend. Each session consistently attracted 10–15 participants, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed the activities. Several young people even progressed to become peer trainers and mentors, supporting their fellow learners. The healthy eating workshops highlighted the importance of both nutrition and physical movement, reinforcing holistic wellbeing. Numerous parents praised the programme, with some stating it was the one activity their child genuinely looked forward to each week.

Shabana Kosar’s Women’s Wellness Workshops

The women’s wellness workshops provided a safe and supportive space for participants to learn about personal hygiene and women’s health issues. This six- week programme focused on building a strong, peer-led community where women could connect, support one another, and share valuable knowledge and experiences.

Thornbury Community Development Service

Thornbury Community Development Service has been exemplary in creating positive environments and fostering behaviour change among young people. Over the course of eight weeks of cooking workshops, boys developed valuable life skills that were both challenging and rewarding. As the weeks progressed, their confidence grew, along with a strong sense of camaraderie among the group. In addition to the cooking sessions, they also took part in badminton and other sports activities designed to keep young people engaged and away from anti-social behaviour.

Large Grants

1. Role Modelling and Career Support

As part of the Youth Resilience Programme’s large grant activities, four organisations – Goshukhan Karate Academy, Citizen Science and Rap for Good & Aswad Arts – collaboratively delivered the initiative titled “Role Modelling and Career Support.” These organisations provided targeted support to help young people build resilience, explore career opportunities, and develop essential life skills through a range of inspiring and engaging activities.

Goshukan Karate Academy

Goshukan Karate Academy delivered the Project On Guard workshops, comprising six sets in total—four based in madrassas and two in a community centre. Sessions were delivered separately for boys and girls to ensure accessibility and cultural sensitivity. The programme focused on equipping young people with essential life skills through martial arts training, which is recognised for promoting discipline, focus, self-control, and respect for others. In addition to martial arts training, the Project On Guard workshops integrated crucial educational components addressing child criminal exploitation awareness, critical thinking, knife crime awareness, and drug awareness. These sessions were designed to empower participants with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions and avoid potential dangers in their environments.

Citizen Science

Citizen Science led the academic and educational development component of the “Role Modelling and Career Support” programme. Their flagship initiative, Better Education, Better Life, targeted young people with limited academic support at home—particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds or low-income families. The programme worked with small groups of students, delivering a structured series of six workshops for each group. These workshops were designed to help participants identify their career aspirations and explore the ethical considerations involved in different career paths. Each session was facilitated by a PhD student from an ethnic minority background, who served as a relatable and inspiring role model, helping participants see themselves succeeding in academia and beyond.

Rap for Good & Aswad Arts

Rap for Good and Aswad Arts collaborated to deliver a creative mentoring programme aimed at engaging hard-to-reach young people, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds in BD3. Activities included rap-writing, DJ skills, urban music production, and reflective rhyme writing. These sessions developed both technical and creative abilities while promoting teamwork, literacy, self-expression, and public speaking. Led by trusted and experienced tutors, the programme connected participants with real-world career pathways in the creative industries, helping to build their confidence, resilience, and aspirations for the future.

2. Encouraging Positive Mental Health

As part of the Youth Resilience Programme’s large grant initiative, the Encouraging Positive Mental Health programme was delivered by three organisations: Bradford Jubodhol, Citizen Science, and Urban Saints. This collaborative effort aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health within ethnic minority communities, while creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people could strengthen their resilience and improve their emotional well-being.

Bradford Jubodhol

Bradford Jubodhol delivered a range of well-being and creative activities aimed at supporting young people’s mental health and emotional resilience. These included multi-sport sessions, practical workshops such as dessert-making, arts and crafts, DJ music, and other engaging activities. Girls-only sessions provided a safe and inclusive space for self-expression and skill-building, featuring activities like mehndi, mini canvas painting, and hair and beauty. Some sessions were attended by a local female police officer, who spoke to participants about support services and early intervention. Through this programme, Bradford Jubodhol helped to foster confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging among young people.

Citizen Science

Citizen Science led the academic and educational development component of the “Role Modelling and Career Support” programme. Their flagship initiative, Better Education, Better Life, targeted young people with limited academic support at home—particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds or low-income families. The programme worked with small groups of students, delivering a structured series of six workshops for each group. These workshops were designed to help participants identify their career aspirations and explore the ethical considerations involved in different career paths. Each session was facilitated by a PhD student from an ethnic minority background, who served as a relatable and inspiring role model, helping participants see themselves succeeding in academia and beyond.

Urban Saints

Urban Saints delivered girls’ well-being workshops designed to provide a safe, supportive space where participants could build confidence and take part in positive, uplifting activities. Through creative and reflective activities, the workshops encouraged self-expression and peer connection, helping participants to feel heard, valued, and included. The workshops contributed to the overall goals of the Encouraging Positive Mental Health initiative by promoting self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of belonging among girls in the community.