Intergenerational Mentoring

Bradford District was selected by the Government as one of five national Integration Areas for an ambitious programme of work as part of its Integrated Communities Strategy.
The vision of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is to ‘build strong integrated communities where people, whatever their background, live, work and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities.’ MHCLG is keen to work closely with local authorities that have already demonstrated a keen grasp of the challenges they face and shown a desire to try new things to meet the needs of local residents – hence why they approached Bradford District.
Over the two years of the programme, we hope to create the conditions for more integration and ‘meaningful mixing’ between Bradford District’s diverse communities. Our vision for Bradford District is that it truly becomes ‘a place where everyone feels that they belong, are understood, feel safe and can fully participate in the opportunities the District offers.’
Through the programme, we hope to create the right conditions for the District’s diverse communities to feel comfortable to make connections with other people from backgrounds different to their own, to feel that they belong here in Bradford District and that other groups belong here too.
Bradford Council has developed a local strategy called Stronger Communities Together which features a range of exciting activities. “Bradford for Everyone” is the programme name under which much of the strategy is delivered. This programme of work is overseen by the Stronger Communities Partnership Board – led by an independent chair.
Projects within this programme address such things as co-ordinating ESOL teaching to improve levels of English; encouraging diversity in the workplace; giving people a ‘safe space’ to voice their opinions and ask potentially difficult questions; expanding the Linking Network programme that connects students from different parts of the District; empowering local people to have a voice in our programme, upskilling marginalised groups, influencing societal perceptions and behaviours, and ‘testing and learning’ from innovative projects to fully understand and record what works.