Asha Project
Funded by Bradford Council Local Community Support Grant
The Asha Project works with women, over the age of 60, particularly from the South Asian Bangladeshi Community, ‘Asha’ means hope in Bangla.
One of the main barriers to participation is language, followed by low confidence and self-esteem. Most of these women would be the first-generation women who came to the UK in the 1970s – 80s on visas as wives, who have never been employed, stayed at home and didn’t learn English, which resulted in isolation, mental health and loneliness from early on. From consultation we found that unlike Pakistani women who had a degree of independence when their children were younger, within the Bangladeshi community the husband did most of the outdoor chores. Through various circumstances most women stayed home, were less active, and had increasing health concerns.
Colourful Lives Project (older women)
Funded by Bradford Council Local Community Support Grant
The Colourful Live Project works with women, over the age of 60, particularly from the South Asian Pakistani Community.
As with the Asha Project, most of these women would be the first-generation women who came to the UK in the 1970s – 80s on visas as wives, who have never been employed, stayed at home and didn’t learn English, which resulted in isolation, mental health, and loneliness from early on. Consultation showed that women had a degree of independence when their children were younger, taking them to school, mosque, shopping, etc, however, when their children got older (14-16 years) this independence went too and they started to stay at home more, therefore being less active and with increasing health concerns.
Dekh Bhaal Project
Funded by Bradford Council Local Community Support Grant
The Dekh Bhaal Project works with men, over the age of 60, from the South Asian community, Dekh Bhaal means look after.
We have over the years done sporadic work with other partners but have not been able to offer a bespoke service to older men, now with our extension, we have increased capacity to reach out to other groups. There is a lack of provision for men resulting in them not integrating, keeping feelings and issues bottled up, and are isolated. The men have worked for most of their lives, were the main breadwinner but are now retired, spending most of their time at home. Health concerns and mental health play a significant role as men generally don’t talk and feel they are not able to express themselves.
Play Rangers Project
Funded by The National Lottery Reaching Communities
This is one of our longest-running projects. The project works with children aged 5 – 14 by providing after-school and holiday activities. With cuts to council children’s services, this provision is greatly needed to give children opportunities to play, express, build skills, and away from petty crime and vandalism. Drug and anti-social behaviour also remain a sporadic problem in Keighley. Through a range of activities such as craft, games, food, and sport, we aim to provide positive influences and support them to improve their livelihoods and health, to empower them to move away from drugs, anti-social behaviour, and become independent positive individuals. The project was funded by BBC Children In Need until September 2021. Recognising the need for the project the Association funded the project from October 2021 until we received funding from The National Lottery Reaching Communities in April 2023. Holiday activities are assisted with funding from Bradford MDC Holiday Activities Fund.
Excel Youth Project
From April 2023 the project received funding from The National Lottery Reaching Communities. Recruitment took place and staff commenced in September 2023.
Funded by The National Lottery Reaching Communities
The Excel Youth project works with young people aged 14+, although sometimes as young as 12 as they transition across from the Play Rangers project. The project aims to offer access to a youth provision within a setting where they can feel safe, learn new activities and skills, as well as get any support needed in helping them with education and employment. We offer a range of fun activities, which support the improvement of emotional, social, and mental health and wellbeing. We also believe that young people should have a voice and influence, so actively encourage them to take a lead in the design of the programme of activities.
