We offer free bereavement counseling to anyone living in Bradford aged 16 or above. We also have a monthly bereavement support group open to anyone. Counseling can be in person, online, or over the phone and sessions last for one hour per week while the support groups are all in person.

Current languages include;

• Punjabi
• Urdu
• Mirpuri
• Pushto
• Polish
• Dutch
• Portuguese
• Shona
• French
• Spanish

Translation into some languages is available, depending on the availability

Emmaus is a homelessness charity that runs two large charity shops in Bradford. They sell furniture, homeware, clothing, toys, records and bric-a-brac. They have a furniture delivery service. They offer training and good volunteering opportunities.

The Cross Lane shop in BD7 is in a big old cinema building and has an ‘indoor street’ concept.

Plaza Cinema, Cross Lane, Bradford BD7 3JT

Mon – Fri 11:00-3:00; Sat 11:00-2:00 Phone: 01274 945270

—–

The Bank Street shop in BD1 is newly opened!

32-34 Bank Street, Bradford, United Kingdom

Mon – Fri 09:30-4:00; Sat 10:00-4:00 Phone 01274 955870

Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection. Their aim is that fewer people die by suicide.

If you are having a difficult time – talk to someone.

If you are worried about someone else – talk to someone.

Call for free, any time day or night : 116123.

You do not need credit on your phone.

If you prefer to write, they will get back to you. Go to the website for details.

Solidaritech repurpose your unwanted laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones, passing them on to asylum seekers and refugees to help them resolve their immigration status, pursue studies and start their lives in their new country. Solidaritech professionally wipe your old hard drives, installing new Operating Systems to make a new, quicker and more usable machine.

Speak to your support organisation to make a referral.

Place of Welcome Cafe every Wednesday from 10am – midday. We serve free drinks and light refreshments and a place to socialise and meet people.

First Response is a Bradford and district NHS service where you can get urgent help with mental health. If you think you are having a mental health crisis, you can contact First Response. The service is available 24/7. It is for people of all ages.

Migrants Rights Network is a UK-based NGO (non-government organisation) that works alongside migrants in their fight for rights and justice.

The MRN runs projects and campaigns. They also have a lot of useful information and resources on their website. For example :

• Know Your Rights Guide 2020

• Highly Skilled Migrants Report

• The New Points Based Immigration System

St Philip’s is a warm friendly church, teamed with St Barnabas’, St Martin’s, and St Paul’s, as the Parish of Girlington, Heaton and Manningham. Sunday services at 10:30am.

Refugee Education Training Advice Service

Established in 2002, RETAS (Refugee Education Training Advice Service), is a well-respected community-based charity that supports the social, cultural and economic integration of refugees and asylum seekers in West Yorkshire. Annually, supporting over 3000 new asylum seekers and refugees and over 10800 related cases.

The Invest in Bradford team has experienced business advisers to support any business looking to start-up, relocate or expand in the district.

Solace has been offering therapeutic services in Bradford since 2008 in partnership with Bradford Action for Refugees, which is now part of Refugee Action.

‘Health – Hope – Humanity’

Bevan Healthcare is a Social Enterprise.  We are committed to getting people the health care they need.

Covid Update – some services are online or by phone, just for now.  

We provide a GP service, to meet the needs of :

• people who are homeless or in unstable accommodation
• people who have come to Bradford as refugees or to seek asylum

At the Bevan House Wellbeing Centre, there are opportunities for:

• arts and creativity
• physical activity
• healthy eating
• volunteering
• mutual aid
• befriending
• self-help

Support with:

• employment
• benefits
• housing
• debt
• legal advice
• parenting problems

Learning and education:

• English as a Second Language
• literacy and numeracy
• computing and ICT
• skills for work

Recovery and managing health conditions:

• substance misuse
• physical and mental health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, depression, stress and anxiety
• support for specific groups, such as female asylum seekers and refugees, homeless or at risk men.

You can find reception and surgery times on the NHS website.

The UK’s first Theatre Company of Sanctuary delivers learning programmes for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants new to Bradford. SBC provides Creative Skills for Employment training, public speaking and campaign training, performance making and wellbeing projects throughout the year. Stand & Be Counted is a campaigning theatre that tours nationally and internationally.

Polski Klub Jagoda (Bradford Polish Club) is a social venue, bar and restaurant near the city centre.

The Bradford Foundation Trust is an organisation inspired by the Islamic tradition, uniting people of all faiths and none, to bring life to a wider and more diverse community spirit. The Prophet Muhammad, Upon Whom Be Peace, said : “The best companion in the sight of God is the one who is best to his companion, and the best neighbour in the sight of God is the one who is the best to his neighbour.”

Bradford Foundation Trust’s community work is with vulnerable people, for example refugees and asylum seekers, women fleeing violence, and families struggling to live. Through active fund-raising they finance and run several initiatives :

• food for hungry families – Food Box Campaign

• cash for needy families – Crisis Cash Campaign

• support for vulnerable people

• community access to partners (eg housing, advice, health)

St John’s Church, Bowling is a friendly, welcoming church with lots of community activities that you can join in.

The MCard is a smartcard that makes travelling on ANY buses and trains across West Yorkshire really simple – and best value.

You can buy an MCard online, or at the Bus Station Travel Centre at Bradford Interchange.

You can top up your MCard at Bradford Interchange, or online, or at a Payzone outlet near your home. There are at least 3 Payzone outlets in each Bradford postcode – usually in a shop. https://payzone.co.uk

Migrant Help provides independent advice and guidance. It can assist asylum seekers in the UK to move through and understand the asylum process. Migrant Help teams are based across the UK.

They give advice, in your language, about asylum claim and post-asylum claim matters.

You should also contact Migrant Help :

• to report a problem with your asylum accommodation

• to request assistance if you feel at risk with safety, health and well-being

• for support with asylum payment issues

Migrant Help will liaise with providers, for example Mears Housing, on your behalf.

BHCA aims to reduce hate crimes, increase reporting, and ensure support for victims. If you think a hate crime has happened, please report it.

You can report it to West Yorkshire Police – phone 101.

In an emergency, call 999.

Or, if you prefer not to give your details to the police, you can always report what has happened at one of the many Hate Crime Reporting Centres in Bradford eg. Bradford College, Bradford City Football Ground – on match days, Al Mahdi Mosque, Girlington Advice Centre – and many more places. For a full list of Centres near you, go to BHCA Reporting Centres.

Bradford African Community (BAC) supports refugees and asylum seekers to settle and integrate in Bradford. There are support groups, interesting and useful activities, education, homework club, social events, family events and many opportunities to join in and make friends.

Don’t hesitate to contact BAC if you have any questions – and if you want to join them.

RCUK is a Bradford-based international organised of Rohingya Centre of United Kingdom (England & Wales)

We are a Community Centre based in the Great Horton area, working to empower and support refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants by providing meaningful support and services that enable successful integration in their local communities. Broadly, we seek to enhance the wellbeing of people in need in particular but not exclusively; Rohingya refugees in the UK.

We are refugee-led, and our projects are based on our lived experience; with the aim of empowering refugees and helping them to settle and gain the skills they need to rebuild their lives within the society they newly call home. See how we support and provide services in Bradford.

• Welfare and Immigration Advice
• ESOL and Integration Learning
• Employability Skills Workshops
• Health and Wellbeing Activities
• Community Awareness Programme
• Social Inclusion and Gatherings
• Occasional Cultural Events
• Youth Work Through Sport

At RCUK, we proudly provide free services and confidentially to asylum seekers, refugees, and all other families and individuals in Bradford. Our commitment is to provide support, hope, inspiration and helping them to thrive. If you or someone you know needs assistance, reach out to us.

Horton Housing provides housing, training and support services.

They want volunteers now, to be befrienders for the Connecting Opportunities service.

They will be looking for more refugees and other migrants with lived experience to join the volunteer programme, when their training centre re-opens.

Help Desk

08:00 – 22:00 open Mon – Fri

08:00 – 20:00 open Sat – Sun

10:00 – 18:00 open Bank Holidays

New Vision Bradford is a charity which offers many different options for support to alcohol and drug users, from one-to-one support to needle exchanges. They can support you if you want to make positive changes to your drug or alcohol use. They provide information, advice, treatment and support.

There are a number of support locations available. Find your best option here.

This charity supports people who are victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

Are you being pressured to get married against your will?
– Do you fear to bring shame or dishonour on your family?
– Have you been emotionally or physically abused?
– Are you confused about what they say scripture demands of you?
– Do you worry about being disowned?

If you are concerned about any of the above, please call us in confidence. Culture, Religion and Tradition are not an excuse; forced marriage is illegal.

Staying Put is a domestic abuse and sexual violence charity which provides support services to victims and survivors across Bradford. If you have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic abuse or sexual violence and you need help, please call our One Front Door helpline on:

0808 2800 999

This is the best way to access help, as we will have a chat with you, and find out as much information as you are comfortable sharing with us, and then we will be able to give you your options on what you can do next, and how we can support you.

We help everyone who needs it, regardless of your gender identity or sexual orientation, so feel reassured that you can call us and you will be supported. 

Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm. We close for half an hour at 1pm every day for lunch. If you are in immediate danger always call 999.

Not good on the phone? We understand that taking that first step and speaking on the phone can be a bit scary, so if you would prefer, you can contact us via email.

Out of hours: voicemail.

This NHS service is to support people who are giving unpaid support to a family member, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems.

Please note that our carer hub at Horton Park Medical Centre is now open for a drop in session every Monday, between 10am and 2pm.  The previous hub session at Lynfield Mount Hospital and Dyneley House, Skipton, are not currently running.

Adult social care in Bradford is provided by Bradford Council and aims to provide the necessary support that adults with physical disabilities, mental health issues, learning difficulties, or any other form of vulnerable adult. They can provide personalised care and support for those who may need it.

More information is available on the website below.

PFBA works to support parents and carers of disabled / SEN children and young people in the Bradford and Airedale area.

Bradford SENDIASS is a service for parents and carers of children and young people (0 – 25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They offer information and advice mainly about educational issues. They can also advise and signpost on health and social care issues in relation to educational provision and SEND.

Peacemaker International is a charity for the advancement of conflict resolution through mediation services and training. Major emphasis is on:

• empowering women for justice by supporting survivors of domestic abuse and their children
• providing skills development, mentoring, befriending
• supporting ex-offenders and new arrivals in the UK and
• providing advocacy and promoting the rights of people with learning disabilities and social inclusion of the elderly
• campaigning to raise awareness of issues of forced marriages and female genital mutilation

Projects include :

• Home-School Mediation

• Youth Support

• Learning Disabilities Support

• Women and Children groups

• Youth Inclusion in education, employment and training

• Bradford Women against Domestic Violence

Horton Community Farm is a 2 acre green space run by locals in the heart of urban Bradford. Our work is creating an inspirational permaculture centre for food growing and community resilience through 5 main strands of work. These are environmental education such as forest schools, horticultural therapy, wildlife, food growing and volunteering.

Programmes:

Growing Hope for sanctuary seekers
Growing Together for families with 0-3’s
Mindfulness Gardening for over 50s and carers of over 50s
Volunteering for anyone over 15

See our website for more details.

Healthwatch Bradford is the independent champion for people who use health and social care services. They gather people’s views and they influence improvements to health and social care in the area.

This charity offers support to people in the Bradford area who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The Housing Standards Team at Bradford Council makes sure that landlords and owners of properties in the Bradford District meet their duties relating to housing standards. These duties include safety, repairs, energy and noise. The HS Team also provides advice and support to landlords and agents, so they know what is expected of them.

The HS Team will also normally try to help tenants and landlords to sort out issues between themselves, where possible.

Phone, Text or WhatsApp.

Numbers:

Lisa Ceesay at: 07970 924368

Rehab Astita at: 07970 924 368

(formerly Leeds College of Music )

SkillsHouse is a local partnership of education and training organisations. Made up of Bradford Council’s Employment and Skills department and partners, it supports people across the Bradford District to find appropriate training and help apply for jobs.

SkillsHouse can also support young people with their post 16 options through the different options highlighted on the SkillsHouse website.

The Admissions Team process the annual allocations to Reception and Y7, in-year applications and also the appeals procedure.

They offer advice to parents and other agencies regarding all admission and appeal related enquiries.

Also, they provide advice and guidance to schools concerning current and new legislation relating to admissions and ensure that the statutory responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the School Admissions and School Appeals Code of Practice.

[email protected] (in-year and appeal queries)

[email protected] (annual allocation to secondary school queries)

[email protected] (annual allocation to primary school queries)

Formerly the New Communities and Travellers team.

What do we do?

The Access team supports families from Central and Eastern Europe, refugees, asylum seekers, travellers and vulnerable groups, with access to education.

Families can self-refer by contacting us on 01274 439393 or they can attend our drop-in, details below. Or they can be referred by any professional on behalf of the family. See below.

The service also supports and signposts its client group, taking into account the wider family support needs including SEN, Benefits and Early Help. Specialist staff in the team advocate on behalf of families who are experiencing barriers in accessing appropriate education settings. There are workers within the team who speak languages including Slovak, Polish, Czech and Hungarian but we can also access most languages through our partner, Enable2.

Interpreting and translation

For any queries relating to interpreting and translation, please email [email protected] or call 01274 439393.

Free School Meals (FSM)

The Access team only support with FSM enquiries for asylum seekers. If you have any other queries relating to FSM, please contact 01274 432772.

Refugees and asylum seekers

Refugee and asylum seeker children have the same entitlement to education as other children in the UK however they can often find it harder to access education due a number of barriers which may include language, past experience and trauma. The Access Team aim to support refugee and asylum seekers into education through practical support and advice. The Access Team is also on hand to provide advice and support  to schools who have refugee and asylum seeker children on roll. Please see our ‘Quick guide to refugees and asylum seekers’.

How to make a referral for support with access to education?

Referrals to the Access Team can be made by any professional on behalf of the family by completing the referral form and sending it to [email protected]

Please ensure that families have consented to the referral, where possible getting consent to sharing information form signed by the family prior to making a referral.

Drop-in

The Access Team runs a drop-in at Britannia House, every Tuesday morning between 9:30-11:30am during term-time. If families are being signposted to the drop-in, they are asked to attend with the children needing school places and with copies of their ID and tenancy documents.

Come and join us at our Cook and Eat session. Each week we will learn new skills about how to cook different meals. Once we have cooked we are able to sit, eat and enjoy what we have made together.

Monday’s from 3:30 – 4:30pm at the Sutton Centre

BRI is the main general hospital in Bradford. This phone number is for the central switchboard.

This venue, located off Westgate in the City’s Northern Quarter is a shopping discovery. This market offers quality fish, meat and fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world. Lift access from our adjacent car park and shop mobility facilities means that everyone can easily access the market.

The new Darley Street Market is due to open on Darley Street BD1 3HH.

Age UK is the leading charity for older people. Age UK Bradford District can help you with information and advice about :

• benefits
• housing
• health and social care
• leisure and social activities
• family and personal matters
• your rights to local services
• ….. and most other things that affect your quality of life

You can call the Bradford number, above, during office hours:

Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 3.00pm

Friday 9.30am – 1.00pm

If you need support or information outside office hours, contact Age UK’s advice line 8am-7pm every day. Phone 0800 678 1602.

Or contact The Silver Line’s 24 hour helpline. Phone 0800 470 8090.

Fresh vegetarian meals available in Langar Hall. Please cover your head, remove shoes. Open any day if you are hungry 7:00-20:00 (before 16:00 Sundays). The most social times are Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Guidance on career paths, jobs, training and qualifications/education​
Free and impartial advice​
Strictly private and confidential​
Performed by qualified professionals

Listed below are some of the service they can provide advice for:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Disability Benefits
• Debt Advice
• Employment Support Allowance

01274 392896 is the number to call for the advice line.

In partnership with West Bowling Training and Advice Centre and Karmand Centre, They provide advice across the Bradford East Constituency on welfare benefits, housing, debt, immigration, employment and consumer issues.  Their Domestic Abuse Advisor supports BME women who are fleeing from or living with all forms of domestic violence.

Manningham Project is an advice service for people living in the area.

Normally, you can make a face to face appointment.

Appointments are held in the mornings 9.30 to 12.30 on Monday to Thursday.
The office closes for lunch between 12:30pm-1:30pm.

To make an appointment ring the office on Monday after 9am.
Make sure you ring on Monday as appointments will be allocated for the whole week.

You can usually get an interpreter as well.

• Benefits
• Employment
• Housing
• Immigration
• Utilities (gas, electricity and water supplies and bills)

St Stephen’s is a church in West Bowling BD5. The church itself is a welcoming place. There is also a Community Hall where SHINE West Bowling offers a wide range of community services and activities such as English CHAT, exercise, pop-up pantry, gardening club and creative threads.

Bradford District Credit Union (BDCU) provides provides low cost loans and safe savings account. They support people to save wisely and borrow affordably.

The Credit Union helps members avoid the financial exclusion and poverty that prevents them from participating fully in society. As a result people with poorer credit profiles can still access a loan. By providing regular money tips the aim is to help people that need support in order to be accepted for a loan.

You can get information from the national helpline, about your personal circumstances, job-seeking, existing claims and new claims.

You will be given a lot of information and choices about who to contact next. If you need help with this, you could try asking at Bradford Citizens Advice by phoning 0344 245 1282. Or you could ask at a community centre near you.

The Salvation Army is a Christian charity. They offer a safe, supportive environment for individuals, helping them make positive choices about their current circumstances.

The Orchard has three separate projects : the Lifehouse; Day Shelter; Bradford Orchard corps.

The Orchard provides a drop-in service for men and women who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. We support our service users in making changes and moving forward in their lives.

The Orchard Lifehouse is a “home on the way to home” for single men. We provide a safe, supportive community on the journey towards independence. Whilst there is no restriction on how long a person can reside, clients typically move on within two years.

The Bradford Orchard Corps is a Christian community which supports our service. It includes a chaplaincy for any person linked to the service

St Vincent Bradford Support Centre is a community hub in BD3, offering a range of activities and support, including :

• classes
• migrant drop-in sessions
• a superstore
• 3 charity shops
• a cafe (coming soon!)

Also, at CHAS@St Vincent’s, there is a free, independent and impartial advice service, with an experienced team of advisers. To make an appointment or for more information, call us on 01274 731909 or e-mail us at [email protected]

DSA is a centre for driving tests and driving theory tests.

This shop sells clothes and accessories.

Proceeds go to Islamic Relief. The shop accepts monetary and clothing donations. There are also some volunteering opportunities.

• We work IN the community by providing extremely low cost goods to our customers, helping many who are on low wages or benefits.
• offering 4-8 week full time work placements for unemployed people of all ages, giving them a chance to work in various roles to gain as much experience as possible
• offering grants of up to £500 for charities, clubs, groups, projects, and other non for profit organisation in the Girlington, Heaton and Manningham area.

Bradford’s Darley Street Oxfam shop sells books, clothes, music and homeware. There is also a special bridal store.

The shop accepts monetary and saleable goods donations. Profits go to the Oxfam charity.

There is a well-organised volunteering scheme. To find out more, you can ask at the shop.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is a big national charity.

It has three shops in the middle of Bradford.

The Westgate shop (01274 354975) sells furniture and electrical goods.

The Northgate shop (01274 729110) and Kirkgate shop (01274 305383) sell clothing, shoes, books, toys and homeware – nearly new and new.

BHF has a well-organised volunteer scheme. To find out more, ask at a shop.

50-54 Westgate BD1 2RD Mon – Sat 09:30 – 17:00; Sun 10:00 – 16:00

34 Northgate BD1 3SN Mon – Sat 09:30 – 17:00; Sun 10:00-16:00

47 Kirkgate BD1 1PZ Mon – Sat 09:30 – 17:00

Our vision is ‘Improving lives Incommunities’. That means providing great homes in great neighbourhoods and helping people build better lives for themselves.

We are one of the largest social housing providers in the UK and formed in 2003.  Local social housing was transferred to us, from Bradford Council.

Our main business is to provide and maintain affordable high quality housing for our neighbourhoods. We have invested over £400 million in modernising our customer homes and built over 700 homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale.

Please note that number provided below is only available 8am-6pm Monday to Friday (emergency repairs service available 24/7).

The Girlington Centre works towards the prevention and relief of poverty in Girlington and the surrounding area by providing services to individuals in need.

The Centre building provides a community resource for the people of Bradford through which individuals of all ages and community groups can have access to meeting spaces, advice, advocacy, information, education, training, social and leisure opportunities.

Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies is a free NHS service to help people manage everyday problems such as feeling low, having problems sleeping, feeling anxious and experiencing stress. You can register for Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies online or over the phone and don’t have to go through your GP. The only time they will be contacted is when you have finished your course to let them know, or if we are worried about you or others around you.

CycleBradford.org.uk is a free, accessible web site for all types of cycling related activity in the district. It’s an umbrella resource that helps guide you into Bradford’s cycling community. We provide information about most of the organisations involved in cycling in and around Bradford District.

Contact us for more information, or to get involved.

Capital of Cycling is a coalition of cycling organisations, community groups and charities.

We work to support and connect some of the fantastic cycling work, events and opportunities that are already going on in The District. Why not join us?

We have a cycling hub in the centre of Bradford, opposite City Hall, next to The Bradford Hotel.

Northcliffe Park is made up of Northcliffe Woods and Norman Rae Playing Fields. These lovely woods and fields together make up am area of countryside which appeals to many different people. From bird – or bat- watching, to playing football, beautiful Northcliffe Park has something to offer everyone.

Bingley Five Rise Locks are one of  the most awesome features on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. They are the steepest staircase locks on the longest canal in the country! Probably why they are one of our Seven wonders of the waterways.

Plenty for you to visit and cafe to eat from!

Lister Park is one of Bradford’s 6 Green Flag parks and home to Cartwright Hall Museum and Art Gallery. A formal park with well laid out walks past the Mughal Gardens, art gallery, boating lake, cafe and bandstand.

Lister Park is home to Bradford’s weekly Park Run, it is a popular stop for a visiting fair and there is always an exhibition on at Cartwright Hall, check the calendar for details.

Bowling Park is a large and leafy park with something for everyone. With a great view over the city centre, its slopes are perfect for sledging in the winter, or running around exuberantly in summer. Pack up a picnic, and head down with the family to enjoy this lovely park.

Bradford Moor Park is a wonderful space for relaxing in, with trees edging the park and plenty of space for a picnic, or a game of football. The paths are perfect for a gentle stroll, or even for jogging round.

There are a space for:

• play area
• Multi Activity Community Area (cricket, basketball, 5-a-side)
• bowls
• lake

Peel Park is large community park with well laid out paths, gardens, a small lake, play areas, BMX track, bowls and sports pitches.Peel Park hosts annual cyclo-cross events, fairs, circuses and firework displays. Please check out calendar.

City Park is a public space so is generally open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Please note, the space is sometimes closed to allow us to set up events.

The fountains generally run from 8.30am to 8pm but may be turned off without notice for reasons such as ice risk, hazardous materials, public safety or maintenance.

Some of the Services at the Library:

• Disabled access
• Community garden
• Photocopier
• Reference collection
• Local history
• Asian language books 

Events
Monday: Storytime, 4.30pm to 5pm
Friday: Rhymetime, 1.30pm to 2pm
Sunday: Colouring, 1.30pm to 2pm

Opening hours:

• Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 7pm
• Friday and Saturday, 9.30am to 4pm
• Sunday, 12 noon to 4pm

Events

• Mondays, 1pm to 3pm – Threads & Needles Craft Group
• Tuesdays, 11am to 1pm – Tuesday Friends Lunch Group
• Thursdays, 11am to 12.30pm – Stay & Play including Storytime/Rhymetim

Opening times

• Mondays: 1pm to 3pm
• Tuesdays: 10am to 2pm
• Thursdays: 10am to 2pm

The Community Library is located in a dedicated room within the historic manor house, Bolling Hall.  It is well stocked with books for adults, teenagers and children as well as a small selection of audio CD’s and large print editions.  It is now staffed by volunteers who can help with reservations from the full Bradford Library catalogue and there is a computer with internet access available for public use as well as Wifi.

Events

Friday during term time, – 11.30am to 12.30pm: Story and Rhyme time for children under five years. Free weekly fun sessions of stories, crafts and rhymes.

Opening times:

• Wednesday 10am to 2pm
• Thursday 10am to 2pm
• Friday 10am to 3.30pm
• Saturday 11.30am to 3pm
• Sunday 11.30am to 3pm

Opening times
Monday: 10am to 2pm
Tuesday: 10am to 2pm
Thursday: 10am to 2pm

Opening times

Monday 10am to 2pm
Tuesday 10am to 2pm
Wednesday 10am to 2pm

Services at the library

• Disabled access
• Photocopier
• Asian language books
• Council information
• Children’s activities
• Free Internet access, word processing, etc.

Opening times

• Monday, 9.30am to 7pm
• Tuesday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Wednesday, 9.30am to 1pm
• Thursday, 9.30am to 7pm
• Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Saturday, 9.30am to 4pm

City Library can hold up to 60,000 books, 40 computers, a range of newspapers and free Wi-Fi.

Library staff are on hand to help people with their choice of books, answer information enquiries and help people gain IT skills.

There are events and learning sessions for various groups. You can also use self service kiosks to issue and return books.

There is a bookable meeting room available with public PCs and smartscreen TV. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

Events

• Rhyme Times on Wednesday morning at 10am
• Story Times on Saturday mornings at 11am
• Work Club Thursday 10am to 12 noon
• Learn My Way Sessions Tuesday 2pm to 4pm

Opening times:
The Library is open between the following hours:

Monday to Thursday, 9am to 7pm
Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Womenzone Community Centre is a registered charity established in 2003 to address the isolation and lack of voice and visibility of South Asian women in the Bradford 3 area.

We operate from Bradford Moor, supporting women from one of the largest BAME communities in our city. The charity was set up to respond to identify needs primarily of South Asian women for a women only safe place, to prevent them from being socially excluded and assist their fuller integration into society.

We are a vibrant community centre in Little Horton, just outside Bradford city centre.

Based in the beautiful All Saints Church opposite St Luke’s Hospital, The Landmark Centre offers a wide range of activities and training opportunities to the people of the area.

We currently run projects supporting disabled children and tackling digital exclusion, in particular helping people look for work online. Previous projects have worked with young families, refugees, and the elderly. We are an inclusive and welcoming charity which aims to improve the life chances of local people.

The Kirkgate Centre is a busy community and social action centre serving Shipley.
We are a registered charity and a registered company.

Most importantly, we are a membership organisation. Members of the Kirkgate Centre run the centre and have the power to call meetings, elect trustees and become trustees themselves. Membership is free to anyone living in the Shipley area.

Kirkgate Spotlight English Conversation Club – Every Tuesday, from 10am to 11.30am

Millan Centre is a community centre for girls and women. We run educational, social and health related activities for women, girls and children in the Manningham and Heaton area.

Millan Centre is a charitable organisation and a company limited by guarantee. The registered office is at the Centre. There are 5 members of the Management Committee who have overall responsibility for the Centre and a small team of full and part-time staff.

Millan Centre’s aim is to provide women and girls with:

• A stimulating, responsive and varied programme of educational, training and social activities in a safe and accessible environment
• Support to empower individuals to achieve their full potential and become active citizens
• Equal access to opportunities regardless of race, disability or age and a valuing of diversity
• Opportunities through partnerships with other groups and organisations

We work collaboratively with relevant partner agencies across the private, public and third sectors to ensure we provide a holistic service to our service users, which contributes to wider District objectives around community development.

The Meridian Centre is a community resource for people of all ages & backgrounds in the Manningham area of Bradford District.

This is an area of multiple deprivations. The services offered by the centre are targeted to achieve our objective of empowering the local community to participate and engage through learning and self development activities. Established in 1984, the main objectives of the centre are to develop knowledge and skills through capacity building programmes to improve economic and social participation in society. The centre is dependent on external funding and has successfully, over the last 33 years, supported local residents with a vast range of community programmes. The centre’s location and close proximity to the target audience attracts local people to the services offered.

BEAP usually offers the activities listed below.

Free Health Check Session for men

• Checking Blood Glucose
• Blood Pressure
• Weight and Height
• Advice on Healthy living

Badminton – Every Wednesday, 2pm – 3pm
(Advanced booking needed. Please contact BEAP on 01274 731020)

Summer Activities

• Summer trip
• Days out
• Visits to places of interest

Drop in day-care session for Elderly Men – Every Tuesday from 10.00am – 3.00pm

Daycare for women – Every Thursday 10.00 – 3.00 pm

• Socialise with others
• Make new friends
• Hints on healthy eating

Exercise Session for Women Over 50 – Every Thursday 11.00am – 12.30pm

Young Women’s Exercise – Every Monday 10.00am – 12.30pm

The West End Centre is a purpose built modern community centre based within St Oswald’s Church.

We develop the capacity and skills of the members of the socially and economically disadvantaged local community of Little Horton and the City of Bradford in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet their needs and participate more fully in society.

A 12-week course in a small group which will help you identify triggers and wellness tools to help you overcome your personal mental health issues. Talk to one of our practitioners to see if it could help you by calling 01274 730815 or e-mail [email protected]. Booking required.

We help people with mental health challenges. We give people hope, and we help them build brighter futures. 1 in 4 of us will face a mental health problem in any given year, so whether it’s you or someone you know, we are here to help. Our services are available to people who live in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.

Our mental health services:

• Pathways to Employment – for people over 18, who are out of work with moderate to severe, and/or enduring mental health problems who want to work towards a specific goal such as education, training, voluntary or paid work.
• Workplace Wellbeing – free, specialist support group for people managing their mental health at work.
• Work retention – for people over 18, who are in work but on sick leave who need support to return to work.
• Crisis support – for people over 18, who are in severe mental distress or crisis. Open 365 days a year from 10am – 6pm.
• Telehealth – for guided self-help telephone appointments, you can register online at www.bmywellbeingcollege.nhs.uk or give the enrolment team a call on 0300 555 5551.

Opening times

• Mon 10:00-17:00
• Tue 10:00-17:00
• Wed 10:00-17:00
• Thu 10:00-17:00
• Fri 10:00-17:00
• Sat 09:00-14:00
• Sun Closed

What can you do

• Print prepaid labels
• Drop off a prepaid item or return
• Bradford North is the delivery office for the BD1 4RS area.

Opening hours

• Monday 08:00-12:00
• Tuesday 08:00-19:00
• Wednesday 08:00-19:00
• Thursday 08:00-19:00
• Friday 08:00-18:00
• Saturday 08:00-16:00
• Sunday 11:00-15:00

Opening times

• Mon 09:30-17:15
• Tue 09:30-17:15
• Wed 09:30-17:15
• Thu 09:30-17:15
• Fri 09:30-17:15
• Sat Closed
• Sun Closed

Opening Times

• Mon 09:00-17:30
• Tue 09:00-17:30
• Wed 09:00-17:30
• Thu 09:00-17:30
• Fri 09:00-17:30
• Sat 09:00-17:30
• Sun Closed

Roshni Ghar is a mental health community development organisation based in Keighley. The organisations offers culturally sensitive mental health and wellbeing support to adult south Asian women and BME young women diagnosed with mental ill health; offering 1:1 emotional support, as well as group support (in-house and in community settings, including schools). Roshni Ghar offers holistic services ranging from recovery, early intervention, relapse prevention to Peer led support. The organisations also supports women with long-term health conditions and addresses contributing factors to mental ill health. Food and period poverty are also addressed with appropriate provision available to meet their needs. Self Care and well-being are key aspects of the work done at Roshni Ghar. Women with severe and complex mental ill health are also supported, both in acute and community settings, as well as at home, via home visits. Therapeutic and creative support is offered to further aid recovery and to help women build a support network for themselves.

Displace Yourself Theatre provide and facilitate free arts activities in Bradford, particularly beneficial for those who have experience of social exclusion and those who may not usually have access to the arts.

DYT are also a professional touring Theatre Company who make work which aims to promote social equality.

Bradford Interchange is a transport interchange in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, which consists of a railway station and combined bus and coach station adjacent. It is served by the majority of bus services in the city centre along with National Express Coaches, while the railway station, which is one of two in the city centre (along with Bradford Forster Square), is served by Northern and is also the terminus for Grand Centralservices from London King’s Cross.

We offer a trauma informed counselling and support service for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and adult rape.

We are based in Bradford but our service is available to anyone living in West Yorkshire.

More details are available on the Survivors West Yorkshire website.

Volunteer Centres are a good place to start looking for volunteering opportunities in the local area. We do this by supporting people to identify volunteer roles that suit their skills and experience and matching them with potential roles with Voluntary and Community Organisations and other not-for-profit groups, to support the crucial work they do in the District. If you can spare an hour a month, or more, then get in touch and see if you can volunteer your time or skills to help one of these organisations.

We also provide infrastructure support to any group that needs help to recruit volunteers, we promote good practice, support the development of quality volunteer roles and work to ensure that volunteering is inclusive and accessible to all.

Together Women is a charity offering a gender-specific service to women. We have locations in Bradford and Leeds which both cater for refugees and all of our services are free of charge. Clients can be referred in or call the number to refer themselves.

We offer:

• legal advice in immigration law and family law
• food vouchers
• pay as you feel market (full week’s worth of shopping for minimum donation of £1)
• Freedom (domestic abuse recovery group)
• counselling
• confidence and self-esteem group
• Peace of Mind (IAPTs)
• Job Centre Plus sessions
• anger management
• SMART Recovery addictions group
• VIBE (young women 12 to 19 years)
• Arts and crafts social groups
• English for speakers of other languages

Hope for Justice is an anti-human trafficking organisation working to uncover and abolish the hidden crime of modern-day slavery. As a non-governmental organisation (NGO) we gather intelligence and assist in the process of removing victims from exploitation within the UK.

Human trafficking is not someone else’s problem, it’s happening in our communities, in our neighbourhoods, in our country. Hope for Justice was created to be the practical solution to human trafficking with four areas of operation:

• investigate and rescue
• assist aftercare
• perpetrator accountability
• campaign

Services in Bradford:

Bradford Homeless Partnership
Temporary and emergency accommodation for people in the Bradford District who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Bradford Respite and Integrated Care and Support Service (BRICSS)
A home from hospital service for people who are homeless or inadequately housed.

Community Support Agency
Support at home for people experiencing mental health problems

Connecting Opportunities
Working with new migrants to develop skills and opportunities to find work and be part of the local community

Co-ordinated Advice Support Tenancy Ready Service (CASTRS)
A drop-in service to help with applying for benefits, form-filling, searching for jobs and training.

Group Living Services
Accommodation for young people and care leavers, including unaccompanied asylum seekers, aged between 16 and 18 years old.

Intensive Housing Management (Bradford)
Accommodation in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley for people who have support needs and may find it difficult to access mainstream housing.

New Communities
A partnership approach to provide housing, healthcare and wrap-around support to help refugees settle into their new life in the UK.

NewStart
Supported accommodation and support at home for high risk male offenders and ex-offenders aged 16 and over who have a high degree of housing need and are at risk of re-offending.

STAY at Home (Bradford)
Housing-related support for people with multiple or complex needs who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Bradford.

STAY at Home (Keighley)
Housing-related support for people with multiple or complex needs who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Keighley.

STAY in Boldshay / Assisi
Accommodation and housing-related support for people with multiple or complex needs who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley.

STAY in Grattan
Accommodation and housing-related support for people with multiple or complex needs who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley.

STAY in Millhaven
Accommodation and housing-related support for people with multiple or complex needs who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Bradford and Shipley. Our hostel in Bradford is for women only.

A safe, friendly, accessible community space close to Bradford City Centre, for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

We work to influence the policies and practices of agencies and organisations to ensure equality for all LGBT people.

We have :

• groups for younger and older people, women-only groups, men-only groups, BME groups and Trans groups
• short term programmes and activities
• a weekly group offering peer support for LGBT refugees and asylum seekers
• a Hate Crime Reporting Centre
• sessions for health and wellbeing
• monthly newsletters sent out to all members
• training
• consultancy
• centre/room hire

City of Sanctuary is a national movement to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. Its goal is to create a network of towns and cities throughout the UK which are proud to be places of safety, and which include people seeking sanctuary fully in the life of their communities. A ‘City of Sanctuary’ is a place where a broad range of local organisations, community groups and faith communities, as well as local government, are publicly committed to welcoming and including people seeking sanctuary.

In Bradford our Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary project works with local schools to ensure that they are best able to support asylum seeker and refugee pupils and raise understanding and awareness among pupils, staff and their wider networks. We also run regular events, engage with the Council and its partners to improve services for those seeking sanctuary, and work with local media to get accurate and positive coverage of asylum issues.

Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary Project: [email protected], Telephone: 07380 671998

Counselling for women and girls

We offer free, one-to-one counselling for women and girls who live in the Bradford area. You can self-refer to our counselling service or be referred by other organisations and agencies, such as your GP or support worker. Counselling can give you some time and space where you can think, reflect and talk things through.

It takes a lot of courage to come for counselling and it’s not always easy to talk about your thoughts and feelings. You don’t have to talk about anything that you are not ready to talk about. Your counsellor will not judge you or tell you what to do. She will help you to try to make sense of what has happened to you and to recognise what you need to move forward.

We have a counselling service by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) counsellors for BAME women and young women. Jyoti counsellors speak Punjabi, Urdu and Mir Puri. We always use interpreters when needed so you can use the service, whatever language you speak.

Advocacy for refugee, asylum seeking and trafficked women

This specialist service will support you to recover from the violence, abuse and exploitation you have suffered, and to gain a place of safety where you can be in control of your own life and make positive decisions about your future.

An advocacy worker will work with you to solve immediate issues of safety and will address basic needs such as homelessness, lack of food and the need for mental & physical health services.

The worker will encourage, support & inform you so you can be active in your own immigration case, understand it, respond promptly when you get letters from the Home Office and solicitors, and be pro-active in collecting and discussing new evidence to support your case.

The advocacy worker will also work with you to build a support network around you including signposting and referring to other agencies and groups. She will support you to plan for the future, to get work experience through volunteering and gain skills & knowledge through attending community ESOL and IT classes, and where possible attending college and applying for bursaries and University places.

You will be supported to access other specialist sexual violence services at Bradford Rape Crisis including counselling to work on recovery from the trauma, and Mindfulness to learn useful techniques to help you deal with stress and anxiety.

We are an NHS primary care multi-disciplinary team which includes Mental Health Practitioners, Nurses, a Psychological Therapist and Support Worker. We are an outreach team offering a range of support and services to those in need, including:

• mental health support
• signposting
• TB education and awareness
• Latent TB testing
• Household assessments
• Psychological therapy
• Linking in with other services
• Advocacy

We see those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in unsecure tenure and are experiencing mental health difficulties, and asylum seekers in need of signposting and/or experiencing mental health difficulties.

We accept self-referrals, referrals from voluntary organisations and referrals from GP practices.

Sharing Voices Bradford is a community development mental health organisation and primarily works within the inner city areas of Bradford, comprising over 50% of Black Minority Ethnic Communities

Sharing Voices promotes self-help and mutual support, through community development. Groups are a large part of helping members to develop collective action.

Participation in activities of their own choice including fitness, music and faith groups as well as activities around art and which are gender specific.

The Equity Partnership is a small team of staff and volunteers working to support Bradford’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities in a variety of ways. You can find out more about who we are on our Meet Our Team page.

e play an active role in developing our LGBTQ+ communities by supporting existing peer support groups and helping new ones to start through our community development work. Our news bulletins and email updates keep our supporters up to date with the latest news and events. We also have a space that you can book for events that is based in the centre of bradford.

When is it?

Wednesdays from 1pm to 2.30pm

Lunch is available on Fridays from midday to 1pm, for anyone who has been to a class at Hope House during the week (in normal non-Covid times).

CAP job club, with help from trained volunteers, in a relaxed environment, with the chance to meet other jobseekers, get support and gain the tools needed to find work. Mondays from 9.30am to 12.30pm. (Contact Corinne on 07709 683650)

The Anchor Project is a community-based organisation that has worked in a challenging area of inner-city Bradford (ranked in the top 1% most deprived living areas in the UK), for the last eighteen years. The focus of our work is to engage with, and support some of the most marginalised, vulnerable and isolated in our neighbourhood, and to improve community wellbeing and integration.

Our current activities include:

• Elders lunch and activities club (Mon 11am – 1pm)
• BD3 CARE – Drop-in support for asylum seekers and refugees (Tues 10am – 12noon)
• Everyday English conversation group (Thurs 1pm – 2.30pm)
• English My Way group (Friday 10.15am – 11.45am)
• Monthly BD3 Garden Club
• Annual BD3 Gardening Competition and festival
• Various environmental and art projects/groups around BD3
• Quarterly inter-faith lunches and activities
• Come Together – parents and pre-school children singing group
• Host various workshops for service users and volunteers

Are you appealing against your asylum decision, or wanting to re-engage with the asylum system ?  And do you not have access to legal representation ?

McKenzie Friends are trained volunteers who can give you moral support and informed help.

Office hours

Monday to Friday: 9.15am to 5.30pm

No matter where you are in the world, our specialist team are on hand to help you with your immigration matters. We know the immigration system can seem daunting. We can help you to navigate the complex immigration rules to achieve your ambition to settle in the UK, whether that is to set up your business, work, study or join your family.

Fisher Stone Solicitors specialises in all areas of immigration and asylum law. Based in West Yorkshire but available to clients throughout the UK.

Free clothing and things for the house for asylum seekers and refugees in Bradford.

We are still offering clothing, footwear and things for the house to asylum seekers and refugees in Bradford, but we have had to make adjustments due to lockdown.

Do you need something ?

Please send a message (WhatsApp / Signal / SMS) to ask for what you need. We will bring you as much as we can of the things you ask for.

Would you like to offer something ?

We are still collecting/accepting donations.  Please contact us in advance to check if we have space/requests for what you want to offer. Please phone / WhatsApp / Signal / SMS.

The Gianna Baby Bank ‘Plus’ is run by Catholic Care.

We can offer baby equipment such as baby clothes, nappies, toiletries, prams, and Moses baskets to pregnant mums and their new-born babies.

Our experienced and friendly team are also available to carry out home visits and offer emotional support to some of our families. We aim to support the family until the baby reaches their first birthday.

HENRY offer a free eight week group programme for parents and carers of babies and young children to support the whole family to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Group programmes are held in Children’s Centres across the Bradford district. One to one support and starting solids information is also available in some areas.

Emotional support for parents suffering low to moderate levels of perinatal mental illness, for up to a year after the birth. The support is delivered by Family Action peer support volunteers, mostly in parents’ homes.

We know the earliest years are critical to a child’s future and want children across the Better Start Bradford area and beyond to have the best possible start in life, in terms of their health, well-being and life chances.

We’re finding out what works so we can share it to promote wider change. To do this we’ve set up over 15 individual projects – plus other complementary strands of work – focusing on health, social and emotional development and communication, and we are evaluating their impact.

Most of the projects run only in the Better Start areas – broadly Little Horton, Bowling and Barkerend and Bradford Moor – but some are available throughout the Bradford area. To find out whether a particular address is in a Better Start area use the Better Start Bradford postcode checker. All sessions and classes are free.

Baby Basics provides a Moses basket packed with toiletries, nappies, blankets, towels and baby clothes. It is available to vulnerable families including teenage mothers, asylum seekers and women fleeing domestic violence or trafficking. There is more information on the Baby Basics website.

You can contact our friendly team by phone, online, or by visiting us in person at Discovery House or Endeavour House in Bradford. We can find the right solution for your individual needs.

We provide you with short term emergency accommodation if you are homeless or a rough sleeper and offer outreach support as well.

Connecting Opportunities (CO) is a project working with new migrants to develop their skills and opportunities to find work and be part of the local community.

Some local organisations that specialise in working with migrants are working together to offer

• tailored support
• cultural orientation
• English language classes
• other training across West Yorkshire and part of North Yorkshire (Craven, Harrogate, Selby and York)
• provide work placements to help people get a foothold in the job market

How to contact our Services

We currently do not have a physical office in Bradford, but we are in the process of securing a new office soon. Until we move into a new office we will be operating on hybrid model, which is working remotely as well as doing outreach sessions in various community venues. We have a single point of referral pathway to all our services in Bradford and all new referrals will be assessed by a duty caseworker who will decide which project/s is appropriate to support you based your needs as well as sign post you to other services when it is possible.

Email: [email protected]

Duty Phone: On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:45am and 1pm, call us on 07703608969.

Please contact us to refer yourself or someone else to any of our services. We will always endeavour to reply promptly.

Children & Family Service

The Children and Families Service offers one to one support as wells group activities for refugee and asylum seekers families as they arrive in Bradford.  

Our Children & Families Project is now split into the following three sub projects closely working together: 

Families Early Help project – this project offers specialist casework support to asylum seeking families where they have additional needs that aren’t being met by universal services (such as Migrant Help, Accommodation Providers, Schools or Health Providers) and require additional support under the Local Authority Early Help Framework.  

Asylum Crisis project – this project supports asylum seeking families with children who might need assistance in accessing housing and financial support mainly from the Home Office while trying to work with other agencies to meet the families’ other needs.   

The BRAVE Project: is an expert by experience led project focusing on integration and wellbeing activities for asylum seekers in Bradford. This is for all service users at Refugee Action, but with a specific focus on families.  r yourself or someone else to any of our services. We will always endeavour to reply promptly.

Advice and Wellbeing Services

Advice and Wellbeing is a service delivered in partnership with Solace. Refugee Action provides specialist OISC immigration advice to asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees in combination with wellbeing support from Solace. We also provide signposting and referral support to help prevent mental health crises from developing. 

We provide:

• Advice and advocacy support to resolve or assist with immigration and practical issues which are causing increased stress or exacerbating trauma symptoms. 
• Immigration advice and casework support for complex cases for refused asylum seekers and refugees to assist those who are destitute or at risk of destitution. This includes, some fresh claims on protection or family life grounds where legal aid is not available, leave to remain applications for refused asylum seekers on family grounds prioritising cases involving children, complex domestic violence cases who are unable to access legal aid and other complex cases where there are additional vulnerabilities for asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees (please contact us if in doubt)
• A combination of one to one therapy for refugees and asylum seekers suffering from trauma symptoms (delivered by Solace)
• A weekly wellbeing group for those with lower levels of need, or who need supplementary input in addition to one to one support.   This group focuses on stress management techniques. (Delivered by Solace & Refugee Action) 

Destitution Project: housing in Bradford for asylum seekers made homeless by negative asylum decisions. Contact: 0300 1021952, [email protected]

Refugee Housing Project: Temporary accommodation, currently only in Leeds, for those with leave to remain whose Home Office support has just ended, and then help in finding suitable longer-term accommodation. Contact: 0300 1021951; [email protected]

Volunteering Project: St Clair Brown; [email protected]