NEARLY £50,000 has been handed to five Bradford organisations as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Arts Council England has awarded grants worth £4.58 million to hundreds of groups across the country as part of a new “Let’s Create Jubilee Fund”.
The aim is to put creativity at the heart of communities’ celebrations for the jubilee in June.
A total of 704 voluntary and community organisations have benefitted from the fund.
Five groups in Bradford were selected to receive grants, with a total of £49,109 coming into the city for the head of the country’s special occasion.
Bradford Deaf Community Association received the top amount of £10,000, while The Valley Project (£9,962) and Café West - Healthy Living Centre (£9,950) got slightly less.
Bradford Moor Play And Support Service was handed £9,647 and the Muslim Women's Council received £9,550.
The Valley Project, established in 2018, provides a safe outdoor space for children and young people to meet, play and develop socially, emotionally and physically in the Holme Wood area.
Laura Bowen, Project Co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, it will be a fun packed, super creative month and we can't wait to get started."
The month – in June – has been dubbed “Let Creation Reign” and the funding will enable the Valley Project to enhance its current offering and build towards a crescendo at the end of each week.
Its weekday play sessions will be filled with a range of open-ended resources and specific activities.
Then on each Saturday, there will be a giant creative celebration, partnering with Dance United Yorkshire and Artworks Creative Communities.
The event will include graffiti and dance workshops, live music and photography sessions all celebrating art through the age of the Queen’s reign.
There will also be a BBQ, picnic, curry – cooked on a campfire – and homemade pizza – cooked in a pizza oven – on each Saturday.
Mrs Bowen said: “The Valley Project’s main goal for these events is to widen children and young people’s life experiences, enriching their lives and creating unforgettable memories.”
She added: “The Valley Project has seen first-hand the damaging effects lockdown has had on local children and their families, increased anxiety, isolation, low confidence, weight gain, emotional distress and depression.
“The Valley Project feel it is important to bring the community back together through these events, building community resilience, kickstarting community recovery and having fun in the process.”
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