THIS week the Give Bradford campaign, which sees businesses from across the district give money which is used to support charities and community groups, marks its one year anniversary of helping people across Bradford.

In the past 12 months, the campaign, which is run by Leeds Community Foundation, has distributed more than £1.2 million in grants to a range of grassroots projects, benefitting thousands of people across the district.

It has also grown from strength to strength, with more and more businesses signing up throughout the year pledging their support to Bradford and its people.

Give Bradford distributes cash grants, shares advice and uses its specialist knowledge to help community projects thrive, so the impact they make is greater for the people it reaches.

The Give Bradford 100 Club has also boosted the campaign this year, allowing businesses to sign up to support the scheme, enabling the campaign to grow its portfolio of funds so it can help more groups.

Since it began, the 100 Club has grown to 31 members, with organisations such as Yorkshire Building Society, The Broadway and Leeds Bradford Airport all getting on board.

Matthew Roberts, head of development at Give Bradford, said: “It is an exciting time for the Bradford district with the recent launch of the Bradford BID and continuing momentum of Bradford Economic Partnership and so we are thrilled that the Give Bradford campaign has received a vote of confidence from so many in the business community at this initial stage.

“Building on a successful first year, we look forward over the next few months to announcing further investment tackling some of the key priority issues for the city.”

Provident Financial is another firm which is supporting the campaign.

Sharon Orr, community affairs manager at Provident, said: “Provident has been delighted to support the work of this project.

“Our partnership with Give Bradford and Leeds Community Foundation has enabled us to gain local insight when it comes to identifying and supporting the community organisations best-placed to make a difference in the areas of the city that need it most.

“We’ve also been able to involve our own colleagues in the process, which has given them a great way to help contribute to our community programme.

“We’re proud to have been part of the journey so far and look forward to the next chapter – particularly welcoming more new members to the 100 Club.”

Community groups which have benefitted from the Give Bradford campaign include the Karmand Community Centre, which received a grant to raise young people’s aspirations in east Bradford, The Cellar Trust, which received money to continue its work supporting adults with mental health issues, and the Nigeria Community Association, which brings together people from African communities in Bradford.

The Youth Association also received a grant, from the #iWill Fund thanks to the campaign.

Dmitry Fedatov, from the charity, said: “The Youth Association is committed to opening up opportunities for young people in Bradford and helping raise aspirations and interest in social action through teaching vital skills and offering new activities to get involved with.

“We are truly grateful for the funding from Give Bradford and #iWill which has enabled us to deliver our Young Community Champions project and made it possible to have direct and lasting impact in the Holme Wood and Great Horton area of Bradford.”

One of the first projects to get the help of Give Bradford was Shine West Bowling, which is based in one of the most deprived areas of the city.

It delivers holistic services and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to help bring the community together, and thanks to Give Bradford was able to secure a grant from the Provident Social Impact Fund.

This allowed it to run its Brighter Futures project, teaching local people who were struggling skills in budgeting, cooking, menu setting and shopping.

George, a drug addict since childhood, is one of the people whose life has been changed by Shine.

He said: “My father was from Afghanistan, he came over in the 50s, but I was born in Bradford.

“I’ve always been a Bradford lad. I’m proud of my city.

“I had been on speed since I was twelve years old. I used to go dancing.

“As I got older I didn’t realise what I was doing. I lost the plot. I’d been sanctioned a few times and I didn’t have money to eat.

“I hadn’t eaten for a few days. I was so hungry I started eating food in the supermarket. I wasn’t hiding the fact and I got caught.

“The manager took me into the back room. He told me that since I’d only taken food he wasn’t going to press charges. He gave me £10 and I was taken back by the kindness he’d shown me. I decided to give up speed at that point.

“I ran out of food not much later, and I asked a friend where I could go.

“He recommended this place - Shine. I was able to get a food parcel and started coming more often.

“I was still dealing with severe anxiety but I felt comfortable being here. Just spending time with others; I felt more confident and started to look to the future.

“The people here suggested a course to get back into work, and they were able to get me a job. I also started helping out at a place which provides mental health support.

“I thought I could give something back. I even did a course in budgeting which was really useful. It was part of a life skills course.

“If it wasn’t for SHINE and being able to come here, I wouldn’t be here. They gave me my life back. I’m forever grateful for the help they’ve offered me.”

Bradford PHAB also benefitted from help from Give Bradford, which sourced funding from the Pears Youth Fund, to help it deliver its Celebrate Diversity Celebrate Community project.

The project explores and discusses different cultural traditions, lifestyles and backgrounds, and Bradford PHAB helps young people with and without disabilities come together to take part in projects promoting independence and self-confidence.

After such a successful first year, Give Bradford is looking to keep on growing to help more and more community groups in the coming years. To join the 100 Club or for more information on how to get involved, visit givebradford.org.uk