Although a growing number of companies already put something back into the communities in which they are based, often in terms of sponsorship of various projects or sporting events, there is plenty of scope for an increase in this sort of involvement.

The "Bradford Cares" project, due to be launched in a few weeks, should help the process along. It is part of a spread of the nationwide community-support scheme launched after the Toxteth riots by the organisation Business in the Community and successfully tried out elsewhere.

The principle on which it operates is that local businesses are encouraged to play a part in local projects, large and small, by donating some of the time and expertise of members of their workforce. In theory, that should help to relieve some of the social problems in deprived areas, improve the environment and strengthen links between the businesses and the local populations.

But "Bradford Cares" can offer important benefits, too, to the companies which buy into it. A city with fewer social problems is a city which should see a reduction in crime and unrest. So those businesses which sign up to the scheme could find themselves making a real difference in a very practical way and to their advantage.

There are benefits, too, for the individuals whose time and talents are volunteered. Even people who live and work in Bradford can feel remote from the community around them. This scheme offers them a chance to become involved, to use their skills in a different way and to boost their personal development while at the same time boosting their city.