The voluntary and community groups in 2023's Community Stars Awards

Bracken Bank & District Community Association, Bradford Cinderella Club and SCUFF are all finalists in the (Small) Voluntary and Community Group Award.

Bracken Bank & District Community Association

The nominator who put Bracken Bank forward said: “Over the past five years the group have spent their voluntary time and resources in refurbishing and making fit for use the Sue Belcher Centre. They have spent endless hours fundraising, alongside delivering events from the centre to bring life to the building and community.”

She said: “The community have a space they can hire for private events & parties but equally the group hold free open access events to residents which are always so well attended and thought of, ranging from Easter egg hunts, Halloween events, summer activities with organisations like One in a Million and Christmas events. They also work with the Early Years Alliance and run a play group at the centre.”

David Weston, vice chair, trustee and fundraiser said: “The committee are so honoured to be nominated for such a prestigious award. We are a community centre run solely by volunteers, we have no paid workers.

“Thanks to the support of the community we run a monthly Health/Wellbeing Hub, regular Monday Stay & Play Baby-Toddler group, and three times a  week youth sessions run by One-in-a-Million, as well as a fortnightly bingo session.” 

Scar Cover Up Freedom Fund

Mental health charity SCUFF (Scar Cover Up Freedom Fund) was set up by Jess King who passed away in October at the age of 32.

The charity’s nominator said: “SCUFF are always non judgemental and extremely supportive of clients. They go out of their way to help others and break the stigma surrounding self harm. I have seen first hand the positive outcomes service users have experienced after coming to SCUFF. Definitely an underrated charity which is providing so much to the people of Bradford and beyond.”

The charity holds groups and offers support to people in crisis and struggling with self harm.

The nominator said: “Recently SCUFF has done a large event to break the stigma of self harm and getting the word out to others that they don’t need to struggle alone. Self harm is a very lonely world and often misunderstood and these angels are doing an amazing job.”

“SCUFF are going through a very difficult time at the moment due to loss of our founder Jess. To be nominated for the Community Star Awards has given us something to smile about and we know that Jess would be over the moon with this nomination.”

Bradford Cinderella Club

Bradford Cinderella Club was founded in 1890 to help children living in poverty.

Its nominator praised the group’s dedication to helping below school age children in Bradford for more than 130 years - and its adaptability to meeting the needs of those children in our changing society.

He said: “The group responds to requests from others in the form of funds to provide needed equipment or food, provide trips etc and, where funds aren’t appropriate, provide support and information. They maintain and fund a respite site in the centre of town. At Christmas and Easter they collect and distribute treats to underprivileged children.”

QR code to vote for Bradford's Community Stars Awards finalists for 2023 (Image: Newsquest)

Finalists for Bradford's Community Star Awards

For 2023's awards, there are 10 categories in total.

Click the category to find out more about each finalist

• The Good Neighbour of the Year, sponsored by Incommunities
• The Outstanding Contribution to Earliest Years of Life Award, sponsored by Better Start Bradford
• Shared Values in Action Award, sponsored by Bradford For Everyone
• Voluntary and Community Group (Larger Charities / Social Enterprises)
• Voluntary and Community Group (Small organisation – less than two full time or equivalent staff)
• Volunteer of the Year
• Young Active Citizens (age 8-16)
• Young Active Citizens (age 17-25)
• Business Making a Difference, sponsored by Participate Projects
• Fundraiser of the Year

How to vote

To vote for your local hero, please visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CL68FHT or scan the QR code.

Voting will end at midnight on Tuesday, November 21.

Speaking on the selfless work highlighted in the awards, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “We are fortunate that across the Bradford district we have many kind, compassionate and generous people who make a selfless contribution to their communities and have a huge, positive impact on our district. 

“There are some absolute stars in our community and it is great that these awards shine a light on these brilliant people and give them the thanks and recognition that they deserve.”