A NEW Lottery-funded project is transforming the lives of the Bradford's most vulnerable.

The city's Bridge Project is one of nine partners involved in delivering West Yorkshire - Finding Independence (WY-FI) which will support people who have fallen through a gap in services to live more fulfilling lives.

Bridge chief executive Jon Royle said WY-FI has estimated 365 people out of the 565 people identified in Bradford, who would benefit from the new initiative, do not receive all of the services they need.

He hopes by 2020 at least 260 people in Bradford will have been helped by the scheme's team of navigators who will guide people towards getting access to the right services they need to overcome issues linked with mental ill health, re-offending, homelessness and addiction.

Mr Royle said: “This important new initiative is already making a difference to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

"One individual was homeless when we started working with him, he was experiencing mental health problems and alcohol dependence.

"Because of his chaotic lifestyle he was in and out of police custody, and a regular attendee at A&E. Thanks to the help he’s received, he is stable and now has a home of his own.

"The personal benefits to this individual are immeasurable and society benefits through reduced costs to the NHS and police.”

The navigators will be helped by peer mentors who will use their own life experiences to help others get strong, confident and live better lives.

Probation officers, police, Bradford District Care Trust, housing and substance misuse services are also working with The Bridge Project meeting up regularly to help plan care packages for the people it helps.

Mr Royle said: “The support of local services has been a critical factor.

"Everyone’s willingness to be flexible, think out of the box and develop new solutions has meant that individuals who previously fell through the gaps between services are now getting the help they need.”

The project is working in five areas in West Yorkshire and got £9.8 million from the Big Lottery's Fulfilling Lives scheme to better co-ordinate services working together to help people with multiple problems turn turn their lives around for good.

WY-FI partners, including the Bridge Project, are Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community (DISC), Together Women Project, Touchstone, Foundation, Shelter, BARCA Leeds, Spectrum CIC and Community Links.