Youth Resilience Program

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 in 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.

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 people from the neighbourhood featured in the co-production of the action plan.

The local action plan will be delivered from June 2023 to May 2028. The activities will be delivered by community groups and organisations based within the neighbourhood, primarily from community locations and local schools. There are 4 central components to the action plan:

1. 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. Ongoing conversations and engagements with young people through connection with Age of Wonder: Bradford’s Teenage Stories.

2. Community groups delivering activities for young people

A locally trusted, independent community organisation will deliver a small grants process. This will build the capacity of local groups and build their skills and confidence in applying for and managing grant funding.

3. Encouraging Positive Mental Health

Activities will include youth work to connect with young people not currently engaged in services; community events; and networking opportunities for young people and parents to connect with existing services offering support. This can also include activities such as sports and physical activity to contribute towards positive physical and mental health.

4. Role Modelling and Career Support

Activities will include promoting positive role models of individuals from the local neighbourhood who have achieved career success; encouraging awareness of diverse careers, particularly those that may be less well-known by young people; and offering voluntary mentorship programmes through which young people can access advice on pathways into careers they are interested in.