A national organisation is working in partnership with communities in Bradford with the aim of improving quality of life in the district. HELEN MEAD heard how this can be achieved.

To an organisation whose founder helped communities develop to lead better lives, Bradford is a very special place.

So much so that it was chosen by them, from a number of cities nationwide, to work in partnership to look at how people in the district live, and through that knowledge, to look at processes and practical ways to enhance the quality of life for adults and children.

For the past century the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has been a leading funder of social research and development work in the UK. Through research into the underlying causes of social problems, it strives to influence policy and practice in ways that can achieve lasting change.

Although the foundation is a national organisation and commissions research across the country, much of its operational activity takes place in York, where it is based. Last year the foundation's trustees decided to find partners in a second city. After working for a time, looking at the district and how it functions, Bradford was selected.

"Our trustees wanted to work in a diverse city, to look at issues such as, for example, race and ethnicity and urban and rural decline. And there is a wealth of regeneration work going on across the district," says Bana Gora, the foundation's policy and practice development manager in Bradford, who has spent two years establishing contacts with organisations and agencies - such as Bradford Council and various voluntary organisations - exploring work that has been done and that which is in progress.

The foundation paved the way for its work by setting up a programme called Communities Bradford. They commissioned a study by researchers at Leeds Metropolitan University, looking at all aspects of life in Bradford, at the services provided across the district, and how effective they are.

Their report helped to identify gaps in the different areas such as education, housing, employment, crime and community safety, and health, disability and social care.

Says Miss Gora: "It is not a case of a huge shortfall being identified, but the information allows us to see where we can assist rather than duplicate work already being carried out."

She adds: "There is a history of great projects across the district which have received short-term funding, struggling to continue. This often leaves worthwhile projects with dwindling resources."

Knowing what projects and services are already successfully up and running, and how they are funded, allows the foundation to build up a picture of what may be needed and to identify gaps within provision.

For 2006, the foundation - which is initially committed to Bradford for ten years - is helping communities by awarding cash to new and existing, innovative projects that bring people together. Alternative options are being explored for 2007.

This week, £500,000 has been allocated between seven projects, selected from a large number of applicants working in one of three themed areas: faith and cohesion in communities, the impact of migration on communities and culture makes communities.

With more than 100 applications, making the choice was not easy for The foundation's Bradford committee. Says Miss Gora: "It was difficult. We have limited resources and could only select a small handful of projects."

The successful projects are: Women, Faith and Social Cohesion - a 28-month study by the Centre for Health and Social Care at the University of Leeds, which aims to support women who want to improve links between faith communities in Bradford; Making a New Life, a project by the ethnic minority-led community organisation QED-UK, which seeks to identify migration and integration issues within Bradford; Holme Wood Development Project, which will help to support existing work to help settle newer communities and find innovative ways of building relationships; Keighley Now, which aims to build up a picture of how people of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures live using performing arts and other multimedia; West Bowling Youth Initiative, which has changed the lives of young people through various projects; Engage by Bradford-based Artworks, which provides a creative approach to arts for health; and Women Working Towards Excellence, The OurLives Project, in which women can develop ideas to benefit their community.

"We are looking for fresh ideas," says Miss Gora. "Our initial aim has been to gain a fuller in-depth understanding of Bradford to find out what is already known and to ensure that our future work adds value. Our aim is to focus on issues that are groundbreaking and aspirational in the district."

Next year the foundation plans to showcase projects that are making a significant difference at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, to ensure the message reaches not just local audiences, but regional and national.

As the organisation's Bradford brochure, featuring photographs of people, places and activities bringing people together across the district, promises: We will facilitate meetings for people to come together for discussion, outside of politics or any vested interests, to strengthen relationships across Bradford'.

The foundation is also looking at issues such as changes in the make-up of the urban/rural population, so-called white flight', and trends in housing, in particular poverty. Findings are presented to policy makers locally, regionally and nationally.

Through its work, the foundation is also striving to help shake off negative images of Bradford.

As well as promoting positive projects', the organisation is bringing people to the city through conferences, seminars and events.

"We place a lot of importance in inviting people to Bradford," says Miss Gora, herself born and raised in the district.

"We are not depicting Bradford as completely perfect - nowhere is perfect - we want the district to be seen as it is, something that is real, diverse and vibrant. Look at the wealth of regeneration schemes going on across the district, the millions of pounds being invested in the city centre - that is a great selling point."

  • For further details contact Bana Gora on 01274 493006. Website: www.jrf.org.uk
FACT FILE
  • The son of a Quaker grocer, Joseph Rowntree was born in York on May 24, 1834. On the death of his brother in 1883 he became the owner of a York confectionery works. As well as running the business, he devoted a great deal of time to public work and wanted his wealth to be used to tackle the root cause of social problems.
  • He did much to improve the quality of his employees' lives, including providing a library and free education for workers aged under 17. In 1863 he produced a statistical study on the links between crime and poverty, and a further study on paupers in England and Wales. A supporter of the Liberal Party, he went on to build homes for low-income families in New Earswick near York.
  • He transferred a large slice of the wealth acquired from his company into three trusts bearing his name - one was to become the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.