Stronger Communities
Bradford's Cohesion and Inclusion Framework 2025-2030
Contents
- Belonging, fairness, pride, connection
- Download a copy
- Foreword - Leadership and Civic Pride
- Bradford today - our strengths and realities
- Assets that bind us
- The power of young voices
- Asset rich
- Learning from our past
- Listening to every voice
- Facing reality together
- Building trust and connection
- Tackling poverty, building inclusion
- A shared responsibility
- Cohesion Framework
- Bradford District Community Cohesion Framework: summary
- Working together
- Pride and Place
- Measuring success
- Area offices
Belonging, fairness, pride, connection
"Bradford is connected and cohesive but does not know it. This is Bradford’s time."
From neighbourhood consultation
Download a copy
You can download a copy of the Bradford Council Cohesion and Inclusion Framework (PDF, 4.5 Mb).
Foreword - Leadership and Civic Pride
Working together for a fairer, more connected Bradford
Bradford has always been a place of welcome, creativity, and resilience. Our people are our greatest strength – from volunteers and youth leaders to businesses, faith groups, and neighbourhood champions.
To meet the needs of our growing population, Bradford’s Community Cohesion Framework integrates economic growth, youth empowerment, skills development, poverty reduction, and cultural legacy, aligning these with key strategies including the Anti-Poverty Strategy 2022–27, Children & Young People’s Strategy 2023–25, Culture is Our Plan 2021–31, and the UK City of Culture 2025 programme. Major investments such as the City Village regeneration supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will also deliver housing, commercial space, and green areas, generating jobs, fostering enterprise, and creating inclusive public spaces.
This Community Cohesion Framework was co-produced by Bradford District Council and Belong: The Cohesion and Integration Network, with funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Drawing on extensive engagement with residents, partners, community organisations and stakeholders across the district, the framework reflects a shared commitment to strengthening belonging, trust and positive relationships, while ensuring that cohesion remains a core part of Bradford’s long-term vision for thriving communities.
We know what unites us: fairness, compassion, and pride in our communities. Our mission is to make cohesion everybody’s business – a thread that runs through every service, every decision, and every street. Bradford is well-positioned to be a national leader in community cohesion. Its diverse population, rich cultural assets, strong civic networks, and youthful demographics provide a powerful foundation.
The new Framework consolidates learning from past successes while embedding cohesion into the district’s future growth. Recognising that VCS and faith groups have a central role to play in building and delivering cohesion, the Framework strengthens these partnerships by building on shared assets and by working with communities across the district. By focusing on four guiding principles; belonging, trust, fairness, and pride, Bradford can ensure it remains a place where differences are celebrated, communities connect, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Cllr Stephen Anthony Place
Leader, Bradford Council
"Cohesion isn’t an optional extra; it’s how we do things here."
From neighbourhood consultation Keighley
Bradford today - our strengths and realities
Bradford District is England’s fifth-largest metropolitan authority and one of its youngest and most diverse. Our people bring energy, creativity, and global perspectives. Residents express strong pride in their neighbourhoods and optimism for the future. Bradford’s young, diverse population gives us a unique opportunity to build a more inclusive, fair, and resilient district.
"We need to find ways to reach communities with low self-confidence and low self-esteem."
From neighbourhood consultation Keighley
Assets that bind us
"I live in a building complex; there are always people moving in and moving out. If we see someone that are moving, we have a tendency of helping them move in, letting them know where we are if they need anything, a sense of familiarity and respect."
From neighbourhood consultation Bradford West
Bradford’s story is one of resilience and creativity. Our strengths lie in:
The power of young voices
Bradford has the UK’s youngest population – full of creativity and optimism. Young people are not just the future; they’re leading today.
Through Youth Ambassadors and The Linking Network, young residents are helping shape local policy. We’re investing in leadership training, digital storytelling, and volunteering opportunities to help them challenge stereotypes and strengthen cohesion.
Using a locality-based approach, five Area Officers are embedded within their respective communities across the district. They are supported by ward officers, assistants, youth workers, and wardens, enabling them to stay closely attuned to local needs.
Asset rich
Bradford has much to celebrate and be proud of, with a wealth of strengths, resources and community assets that make it a vibrant and resilient place to live. From its diverse communities and rich cultural heritage to its strong networks of local organisations, services and dedicated professionals, the district is well placed to support and uplift its residents. These assets not only contribute to Bradford’s identity and sense of belonging, but also provide a solid foundation for driving positive change and improving outcomes for everyone.
Source: Council Plan 2025–2030
Learning from our past
Building on Bradford For Everyone (2018-2023)
Our previous Bradford for Everyone strategy delivered over 80 projects that fostered understanding, volunteering, and youth leadership.
Independent evaluation showed a 12% increase in residents reporting positive relationships across communities.
We learned that:
This legacy provides the foundation for the next chapter – scaling what works and embedding it in every service.
"When communities lead, cohesion grows"
From neighbourhood consultation Bradford West
Listening to every voice
What our communities told us
Hundreds of residents took part in area consultations, stakeholder meetings, and youth discussions. The message was clear: Bradford is rich in local pride but needs more shared spaces, stronger trust, and district-wide unity.
Residents want openness, fairness, and opportunities to connect – whether through neighbourhood events, culture, or volunteering. Young people, especially, expressed hope and confidence in Bradford’s diversity.
"We all have different interests and backgrounds – but we’re supported to listen, understand and learn from each other."
Bradford Youth Consultation
Facing reality together
Acknowledging our challenges
Cohesion requires honesty. Our consultations revealed ongoing challenges: poverty, segregation, antisocial behaviour, and digital division.
We’re tackling these through partnership, early action, and transparency – from police-led tension monitoring to anti-rumours campaigns and neighbourhood mediation.
Bradford has avoided major unrest seen elsewhere because of this proactive, partnership-driven model. Together, we turn potential division into resilience.
Building trust and connection
Confidence through action
Trust is the foundation of social strength. We’re building it by:
- Expanding inclusive governance and participation.
- Tackling racism, misogyny, and hate crime.
- Improving women’s safety with campaigns like JogOn.
- Ensuring decision-making is open and transparent.
Public confidence grows when fairness is visible. Our institutions are committed to listening, adapting, and delivering.
Tackling poverty, building inclusion
Economic fairness as the foundation of cohesion
Poverty is one of the strongest predictors of social division, shaping life chances, opportunities and outcomes from an early age. When individuals and families struggle to meet basic needs such as housing, food and financial security, it can create barriers to education, employment and wellbeing. Addressing poverty is not only about improving economic circumstances, but also about strengthening communities, promoting inclusion, and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to thrive.
That’s why our Anti-Poverty strategy 2022–2027 is a key part of this Framework.
It has four goals:
We’re aligning regeneration and economic policy with social justice – ensuring that growth benefits everyone.
In 2024, our Food and Fuel Support Programme helped 15,000 households through community partnerships. Each centre offered skills support and volunteering options – turning short-term help into long-term opportunity.
A shared responsibility
This Framework integrates social, cultural, and economic goals, ensuring cohesion is not a side project but a guiding principle across all Council work – from regeneration and housing to education, health, and transport.
Cohesion is everyone’s business, residents, councillors, faith groups, schools, and local employers all have a part to play. Together, we can make Bradford a model for inclusion, fairness, and unity – a place where everyone belongs and every community thrives.
"Cohesion isn’t about everyone being the same – it’s about everyone feeling they belong."
From neighbourhood consultation Bradford West
We'll know we're succeeding when
Why this matters
Cohesion isn’t only about good relations – it’s about shared futures. In a district as young and diverse as Bradford, cohesion is our route to opportunity, resilience, and growth that reaches everyone.
1. (ONS Mid-Year Population Estimates 2024).
Cohesion bridges these divides – helping every community to share in opportunity, prosperity, and pride.
What we're building on
- The success of Bradford for Everyone (2018–2023) – 83 projects, 12% increase in positive community relations.
- Strong partnerships across public services, voluntary and faith sectors.
- Civic assets like People Can, The Linking Network, and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Our priorities for 2025-2030
Cohesion Framework
This Framework sets out Bradford’s shared vision for building a more cohesive, fair, and confident district between 2025 and 2030. It draws on the lessons of Bradford for Everyone (2018–2023) (PDF), hundreds of community consultations and conversations, and collaboration across public, private, faith and voluntary sectors. It’s both a roadmap and a call to action – describing the outcomes we’ll pursue, the partnerships that will deliver them, and the values that will guide every step.
Our vision
A connected, confident, and fair district – where everyone belongs, differences are celebrated, and every resident can thrive. Cohesion isn’t a side project; it’s how Bradford works.
Our mission
To embed belonging, fairness, trust, and pride into everything we do – across all services, sectors, and communities – making cohesion a defining feature of how Bradford grows.
The four pillars of cohesion
| Pillar | What it means | Our focus |
|---|---|---|
| Belonging and community | Every resident feels valued and connected | Strengthen neighbourood networks, volunteering and youth voice |
| Connection and trust | Confidence between people and institutions | Build transparent decision-making and cross-community relationships |
| Fairness and opportunity | Equal access to resources and opportunity | Link cohesion with economic growth, skill, and inclusion |
| Pride and place | Celebrating our identity and diversity | Use culture, heritage and the City of Culture 2025 to unite people |
The Guiding Principles are from the Stronger Communities refresh and Bradford for Everyone consultations with 1500 respondents and have recently been updated following stakeholder engagement sessions and the delivery of the x5 Cohesion Framework area-based consultations in Bradford East, Keighley and Ilkley, Shipley, Bradford West, Bradford South, and a City Hall event specifically for young people. In total the stakeholder engagement and community consultations have reached an additional 400 respondents across the district. The purpose of the June 2025 consultations was to map any significant changes and dynamics in community sentiments and relationships that have informed the development of the framework.
Bradford District Community Cohesion Framework: summary
The Framework rests on four pillars – Belonging and Community, Connection and Trust, Fairness and Opportunity, and Pride and Place. Each one represents both a local strength and a shared challenge. Together, they shape the next chapter of Bradford’s story.
For the complete version of the Framework please visit the Stronger Communities Partnership webpage.
| Priority and aim | What we found | What we will do | What success looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belonging and Community Fostering shared inclusion and identity |
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| Connection and trust Building relationships between communities and institutions |
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| Fairness and opportunity Ensuring equal access to jobs, services and representation |
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| Pride and place >Building district-wide civic pride and connection. |
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Working together
Partnerships for a fairer district
Cohesion is a shared mission. Success depends on every sector. We’re working across:
- Council services – embedding cohesion in every policy.
- VCS and faith groups – leading grassroots innovation.
- Businesses – championing inclusive employment.
- Public services – promoting safety and equality.
The Stronger Communities Partnership Board will coordinate delivery, reporting to the Health and Wellbeing Board. Alignment with the Anti-Racism Strategy, EDI Strategy, Roma Strategy, and City of Sanctuary ensures coherence across the system.
Pride and Place
Culture as a uniting force
As UK City of Culture 2025, Bradford showcased its creativity and civic pride and left a lasting and impactful legacy. Culture connects us – across backgrounds, generations, and beliefs.
The City of Culture programme brought 3,500 volunteers and over a million visitors. It was more than celebration – it is about community confidence and shared storytelling.
Events that bring people together:
- Bradford District Ward Walks
- Bradford Festival and Mela
- Bradford Literature Festival
- Tour de Yorkshire
- Remembrance and Commonwealth events
- Community Chest Grants run by area officers to support leisure and sport run by community organisations
Measuring success
"Real impact is measured in confidence, connection, and opportunity."
Tracking progress, building trust
We’ll measure outcomes with a blend of data and lived experience. Indicators include:
Annual reports will be shared publicly, celebrating successes and learning from challenges. Evaluation will include case studies, surveys, and community stories.
Area offices
Bradford East Area Co-ordinator’s Office
Laisterdyke Youth & Community Centre (Laisterdyke Hub)
Manse Street
Bradford BD3 8RP
Telephone: 01274 431066
Email: bradfordeastinformation@bradford.gov.uk
Bradford South Area Co-ordinator’s Office
Woodside Children’s Centre
Fenwick Drive
Bradford
BD6 2PG
Telephone: 01274 431155
Email: bradfordsouthareaoffice@bradford.gov.uk
Bradford West Area Co-ordinator’s Office
Lawcroft House
Lilycroft Road
Bradford
BD9 5AD
Telephone: 01274 432597
Email: bradfordwestinfo@bradford.gov.uk
Keighley and Ilkley Area Co-ordinator’s Office
The Lodge
Cliffe Castle
Spring Gardens Lane
Keighley
BD20 6LH
Telephone: 01535 618008
Email: keighleyareacoordinatorsoffice@bradford.gov.uk
Shipley Area Co-ordinator’s Office
Shipley Town Hall
Kirkgate Shipley BD18 3EJ
Telephone: 01274 437146
Email: shipleyareaoffice@bradford.gov.uk
This Framework was co-produced with residents, councillors, VCSE organisations, faith leaders, and partners across the district. Their insight and optimism shape every word of this plan.