BETTER START BRADFORD (OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT) CATEGORY: People making a big difference with their efforts in the community.

LITERACY charity Canterbury Imagine and its founder Jan Winter has been nominated by two organisations that know first-hand the benefits to the children taking part in the book-gifting scheme.

Set up four years ago to cover the Canterbury estate in Bradford, the aim was to provide as many underfives in the area as possible with a book every month.

Nominations came in from Canterbury Nursery School and Centre for Children and Families, as well as from Midland Road Nursery School.

Jackie Bracewell, head of the Canterbury school, says: “Jan has a real understanding of the negative impacts deprivation can have on children’s learning particularly int he early years.

She had the vision and passion to set up the Canterbury Imagine charity to support learning.”


MUM-OF-THREE Salhia Ahmed is part of the group Bradford Volunteer Doulas and despite her family commitments and studying law has found the time to train as a Doula to support women in later pregnancy, as well as during and after birth. She supports families with mums suffering from domestic violence, post-natal depression and other mental health concerns.

She was nominated by Aliya Fazil, co-ordinator of the project, which disadvantaged mums and babies. She says: “She has been going the extra mile with each case.”


VOLUNTEER befriender Laura Isherwood has provided support to mothers in the Better Start Bradford area and has been nomin-ated by the Perinatal Support Service.

She helped one mother, who was suffering from low mood and anxiety, to engage with social service and access other support, and to bond with her daughter and care for her.

Waheeda Ghafoor, who nominated her, says: “Laura is very calm and understanding and is able to make service users feel comfortable around her. She has built a good rapport so that they open up to her and accept support to deal with their mental health and emotional needs. Service users working with Laura have been able to recognise the importance of managing self care when they are feeling down.”

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