BRADFORD’S community heroes who have dedicated their lives to helping others have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Arts visionary Dr Geetha Upadhyaya, who co-founded the city’s Kala Sangam arts centre in Little Germany 20 years ago, has been honoured with the Order of the British Empire medal.

She and her husband, Dr Shripati Upadhyaya, a consultant psychologist at Bradford District Care Trust, began the charity in her home in 1996 and it soon expanded to its current base in St Peter’s House. Her vision was to create a pioneering centre, bringing all cultures together through the world of art.

“It is so nice to be recognised in this way. I feel Kala Sangam - which means ‘art’ and ‘bringing together’ - has created something wonderful and feel that art is the best way to to this,” said Mrs Upadhyaya, a consultant in metabolic medicine.

“I really wanted to make this a beacon centre and the response it has received from Bradford is wonderful.”

The centre has been a labour of love for Mrs Upadhyaya and has grown from a few dance classes to the only South Asian arts centre in the UK with its own dedicated performance space. Over the years the 200 artists working with the company have appeared on Songs of Praise and at the Houses of parliament and the Royal Albert Hall.

Local people awarded MBEs in the Honours list, include Taiyabur Rahman Chowdhury, who has been recognised for services to adoption.

Mr Chowdhury, from Shipley, a retired social worker with Bradford Adoption and Fostering Services, has helped more than 50 couples adopt a child since 1994 and carried out a lot of work in his own time to ensure a positive outcome. The process can take nine or ten months and can be an anxious time for couples.

Prior to working in adoption, Mr Chowdhury was a children’s social worker and before that, he ran a restaurant.

“I am delighted and very proud to have been recognised for an MBE. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work and have worked with some fantastic managers to help so many couples become a family and give their love to a child,” he said.

Work in dementia services, initially with Bradford’s South Asian clients but later expanding across black and ethic minority groups has resulted in an MBE for Akhlak Rauf, manager of outreach support services for the council’s Meri Yaadain (My Memories) dementia team.

“This award is really humbling because we have done such a lot of good work as a team for people with dementia and their carers,” he said.

“We are now in our tenth year and have successfully raised awareness in the condition and provided support for carers which has spread further into the mainstream community.”

Almost a lifetime’s connection with the Scouting movement has earned David Bentley, of Wyke, a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to young people. Mr Bentley joined 11th Spen Valley, Cleckheaton, aged eight and became a leader at 18. Now aged 69 he has dedicated more than 51 years to helping 100s of youngsters. His dedication has led him to seeking qualification in skills such as archery, shooting, climbing, and mountain safety, so as to ensure he was able to instruct or supervise in these activities, opening up these activities for Scouts in the area.

He said the award was a surprise. “I am thrilled but surprised because so many people I know have also dedicated their time to the Scouting movement.

“It it so nice that the work we do has been recognised,” he said.

Also receiving the BEM is Elaine Rathmell, of Tong Lane, for services to Alzheimer sufferers and their carers in West Yorkshire, first through On the Road Again, and latterly Friends Together. She and husband, John, organise day trips and holidays for sufferers and carers.

“I am thrilled with the award,” she said.

“The work we do to help the carers and sufferers is reward itself.”

Also receiving MBEs are Hazel Haas, for services to wounded and injured personnel and the RNLI (West Yorkshire); Alan Jerome, of Addingham, life president of Bradford Grammar School and vice chairman of corporation for Bradford College for services to education; and Dr Adam Tasker, of Bradford, disability support worker with the University of Bradford for services to higher education and access to sport.

Other recipients include: David Ashton, (MBE) of Mirfield, for services to the Church of England and the community; Kevin Metcalfe (BEM), operations manager of Joint Activities and Motor Education Service, Bradford, for services to Education and Alan Baranowski, associate director of operations (patient transport service) with Yorkshire Ambulance Service who receives the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.