PARENT-LED groups putting on family activities are being invited to apply for a share of £295,000 of funding from a project giving Bradford children a better start in life.

This week Better Start Bradford announced the start of a new fund available to community-inspired parents in the Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton areas of the city

The Parents in the Lead fund means new activities being run by parents, or involving parents in a meaningful way, can apply for grants between £500 and £2,000 over the next eight years.

The activities must fit in with Better Start Bradford’s aims of improving social and emotional development, development of communication and language and improved health and nutrition for babies and toddlers up to the age of four.

Gill Thornton, Better Start Bradford Programme Manager, said: “We want to put the Better Start Bradford community at the heart of everything that we do. The activity fund means local parents are able to take ownership over activities that are available in their area, whether that is creating toddler walking routes, growing and outdoor activities, cooking with your child, pop up play streets or something completely innovative. We are really looking forward to seeing what our parents come up with.”

Mel Astin who is Project Manager for the BD4 Family group said “It’s great news for our community. My hope is that lots of parents will be inspired and encouraged to put in action their great ideas for their communities with the help of this money.”

Anyone interested in applying to Parents in the Lead, can download a form from betterstartbradford.org.uk/families-get-involved/our-projects/parents-lead-activities-fund/ or can contact Better Start Bradford’s community team on 01274 723146 to get more information.

The first deadline for applications is Tuesday, February 28. Other future deadlines for funding applications can also be found on the mentioned website.

Anyone who is a parent and is interested in hearing more about Parents in the Lead or being part of the selection panel, can go along to an information session on Friday, February 17 at BD4 Family, St Johns Church Hall, Neville Road in East Bowling.