A NEW mythbusting scheme to break down stereotypes and bring Bradford’s diverse communities together is under way - thanks to a £50,000 Government grant.

Together We Are Bradford, managed by empowering communities organisation CNet and West Bowling Advice & Community Centre, put in the successful bid for Home Office funding under its Building A Stronger Britain Together scheme.

Project manager Alan Anderton said the idea was initially to set up a network of community cohesion champions who would get together to share ideas of already successful clubs, groups and activities from their own neighbourhoods.

“We know there is already a lot going on locally in separate communities to bring people together but we want to widen it and bring the whole of Bradford together,” he said.

“We can tap into each other’s experience and good practice to benefit everyone and make our city more resilient.”

The volunteer champions would also talk about, discuss, and share information on issues affecting their communities as a way of lifting the lid on their lives to help dispel myths causing misunderstandings.

One of those already involved is Frizinghall pensioner Pervez Ahmed, who runs the local walking group, and wants to link up with other similar groups across the city.

Another champion already signed up has recently moved to Fagley and wants help to set up new initiatives on her estate to motivate her neighbours into community action.

CNet worker Muppett, who changed his name by deed poll, said: “This lady wants help to get things going on her estate. We’ll have people on this project who will be able to give her advice on how they do it where they live. It’s like they are mentoring each other.”

Together We Are Bradford will stretch far and wide across the city’s South, East and West constituencies for one year and the team behind it is already working on a bid for a second year’s funding which might involve participants gaining a qualification in community cohesion work.

Mr Anderton said: “Communities already have their stalwarts, people who play strong roles in their own areas getting involved in groups and events. These are the people, their experience and knowledge that we want to harness but we want to get new people involved, those who are willing and want to be a part of this.”

The team is working on a launch event for next month and hopes people will get in touch to find out more.

Together We Are Bradford particularly wants to hear from people in the African-Caribbean, Eastern European and Irish communities.

Another side of the project will be organising useful information sessions, where experts will be invited along such as local neighbourhood police or someone from the Council who can explain how the district is run, that information can then betaken away by the champions and shared in their own communities.

Mr Anderton or CNet can be contacted on 01274 305045 or by e-mailing contact@cnet.org.uk