Support available for small businesses
A free support initiative for microbusinesses in the Bradford District has recently launched, providing help for small businesses in retail and hospitality that may be suffering from the impact of coronavirus.
The Bradford District Microbusiness Support Service consists of:
- A website containing information, tips and resources on topics such as government support, finance, marketing and HR, along with a directory and signposting to other sources of business support.
- Business clinics – telephone one-to-one sessions with local advisors where business owners can access bespoke advice and support. Slots are available on evenings and weekends to ensure as many businesses as possible can access the support. These sessions can be booked via a website www.mybusinessbradford.info which will be launching soon. Advisors will be available to deliver business advice and solutions, in addition to supporting the wellbeing of small business owners.
- A forum of case studies showcasing the work local businesses are doing to adapt their business models and survive the current time – it is hoped that these will prove helpful and inspiring to others.
A series of free, online workshops will also be hosted by the service during 2020/21, with the first, a ‘Prepare for Peak’ Christmas themed event taking place on Wednesday 18 November at 10am. To sign up to this event, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/small-business-workshop-planning-for-the-future-christmas-and-beyond-tickets-128668672463
Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance
 We will mark Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance today, 20 November, by lighting up the city centre blue and pink and flying the Transgender flag at Centenary Square.
Transgender Awareness Week, from 13 to 19 November, is a time to show support for all people who are transgender. It is a week when transgender people and their allies take action and work to educate the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and considering the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.
Transgender Day of Remembrance, on 20 November, is an annual day to honour the memory of the transgender people who lost their lives in acts of anti-transgender violence that year. From 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020, some 350 trans and gender-diverse people were registered as murdered worldwide.
Bradford to consider ratification of devolution deal
Bradford Council’s Executive will be asked to give its consent to a Government Order to establish a West Yorkshire combined authority as part of a devolution deal when it meets on 24 November.
If agreed, ratification would take place at that Executive meeting and also at an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on the same day, and then at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on 27 November. Agreement would lead to elections for a combined authority mayor that would take place in May 2021.
Bradford's People Library
Bradford’s People Library is an ever-growing and fascinating collection of human ‘books’, all with their own interesting, surprising and inspirational stories to tell. Showcasing both the diversity and commonality within our district, they build a library of our resilience, community and true Bradfordian spirit!
An initiative from Bradford Council’s Bradford for Everyone programme, The People Library was launched last week at www.bradfordforeveryone.co.uk where you can read, watch, and share the inspiring stories featured. Highlights will include RDC Soldier who made Bradford his home after fleeing the Congo where he had been forced to become a child soldier. He tells his story of being mentored in music at MAPA Studios on Manchester Road, going on to win Bradfactor with his first band ‘LoSouls’, and from there springboarding to creating his own style of music – ‘Lingala HipHop’ which is sung in English, French and Lingala.
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E-cargo bikes offer greener work option
 We are extending our promotion of greener travel with the arrival of three e-cargo bikes.
These are electric bicycles with a large storage area to transport things without too much extra pedal power. We have selected three different styles which will be trialled locally, two of which will be used by local businesses and organisations, and the other by the Council.
The bikes are one of the projects funded through the Government’s Active Travel Fund, launched earlier this year in response to COVID-19 to support more travel by bike or on foot. Bradford Council, along with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other partners, has been successful in securing £12.5 million of this funding.
Registrars offer support for free book gifting programme
Bradford Council registrars have stepped in to help a free book gifting programme which gifts books to children in their first year of life.
Bookstart, which is overseen by the district’s Libraries is a national scheme delivering book packs to children in the early years.
Under normal circumstances, the Bookstart Baby Pack for children age 0-12 months which contains two free board books, a colourful rhyme sheet and parental guidance booklet, would be gifted at 9-12 months in a face to face visit. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions this has not been possible.
Registrars have agreed to hand out the packs provided by the BookTrust charity to each child at the birth registration appointment.
The registrars will gift these packs to families registering their child’s birth from 9 November.
We need your help to support our Bradford community to play outside!
Now we are moving into Winter, it is more important than ever to help one another to move and play outside - and this is where ‘JU:MP Outdoors’ comes in!
The JU:MP (Join Us: Move. Play) team, funded by Sport England, will be using a mixture of exciting street visuals (from telephone kiosks, bus shelters, to posters, noticeboards and painted signs) within the Bradford district to inspire families to move and play outside.
Free outdoor play is really beneficial to children’s health and wellbeing, especially when life is more indoors, isolated or restricted.
How you can help:
You can join the JU:MP community to support Bradford families and children to move, play and have lots of FUN! https://joinusmoveplay.org/join-us/
We’re also looking for any outdoor opportunities to put up ‘JU:MP Outdoors’ posters and visuals in and around the streets of Bradford.
You may know of some local places yourself or may know someone who can help us.If you do, please get in touch directly with details either by email or telephone with Usman Mahmood usman@wearemagpie.com 07754476659.
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