These are the finalists for the Voluntary & Community Group award.

The award recognises groups run by the community for the benefit of local residents in and around the Bradford district.

The finalists are Bracken Bank & District Community Association, Bradford Stronger Together and Friends of Bradford Moor Park.

It has taken four years for Bracken Bank & District Community Association to transform the Sue Belcher Centre.

The group’s nominator said: “They have spent endless hours fundraising, alongside delivering events from the centre to bring life to the building and community. Their time, patience and commitment has enabled this to happen. They have worked as a team to drive the refurbishment and work of the centre forward, spending many voluntary hours working with council and other agencies to put the centre on the map.”

The centre has since hosted Easter egg hunts, Halloween events, summer activities for children, the Early Years Alliance’s regular play group, private events and parties, and more.

The centre was also chosen to light a beacon for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Bradford Stronger Together was set up in early 2022 by mums who wanted to meet other families raising children with additional needs.

The group is run by Robina, Zohra, Shila, Melissa, Shazia, and Tanya.

The nominator said: “Their aim is to enable parents and carers across Bradford to develop their full potential by promoting awareness, acceptance and understanding of autism and related conditions.”

Help includes advocacy support, signposting, peer to peer support group, mental health and wellbeing workshops, and get togethers for families to tackle isolation and give children a safe space to play.

Friends of Bradford Moor Park has “brought life back to the Bradford Moor area”, according to its nominator.

The group started by arranging clean ups and free activities for children and parents.

Now it is also running cycling lessons for women and girls, inspiring new friendships.

The nominator said: “This group is great at getting the community together and making positive change. They are determined and show full commitment in listening to the community and delivering at a high level.

“There is so much I could list but the recent project of improving health and well being has been much appreciated by many in the Bradford area.

“The group have cycling club teaching women and girls to cycle confidently on the road and learn new skills.

“There are many plans and projects they have lined up to improve health and wellbeing for all community members.”

Finalists for Bradford's Community Star Awards revealed

For 2022’s Community Stars Awards, there are nine categories in total.

Click the category to find out more about each finalist

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