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Please spread the word with friends and family - sign up to this newsletter and join us on the Bradford Local Offer Facebook page.
Quick links:
🔴Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource (AWARE) summer guide.
🔵Bradford district family hubs - latest timetables.
🟠Careers day at Farcliffe Family Hub on Thurs, 7 August. Read more on Facebook.
🟡Inflatables, sports and play with Mini Bounce Planet and Play in the Parks dates.
🟢Free events in parks from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
🔵'Island of Foam' art installation in City Park. Weds, 6 Aug (2pm - 4pm). Read more.
🟣Take part in the library Summer Reading Challenge and Library events.
🟠Celebrate 25 years of the charity SNOOP. Sat 16 Aug (10am to 4pm) is SNOOP Fest!
🟣SNOOP's charity ball is on 16 August. £25 per ticket. To book phone: 01274 292126.
🟡Have you got a Disabled Person’s Travel Pass? Read more: Disabled Person's Travel.
🟢Radio station run by young people (13-25 years) listen on DAB+ to Allstar Youth Radio
🔵The Anti-Bullying Alliance have updated their toolkit for families about Bullying.
🟣Keighley Youth Fest is on Thurs 7 Aug (1.30pm - 8.30pm). Read about Youth Fest.
🔴Summer holiday sessions at Bradford district family hubs. See the What's On guide.
🟠National Play Day 2025 Weds, 6 August (10am to 3pm) at Lister Park.
🟡 Cookery School at Darley Street Market. Children's cook and eat sessions.
🟢Find out what's on with Bradford 2025 events.
🔵Is your child getting ready for starting reception? Read this information guide.
🟣Find Bradford district childcare latest information, visit www.bradford.gov.uk/childcare
The Children's Community Support Team (CCST) are reopening for referrals on 1 September 2025.
The team provide behavioural assessments and offer strategies for parents/carers whose child with Special Educational Needs (SEND) or a diagnosed disability shows behaviours that challenge. The team also run a sleep clinic and sleep assessment for children who have a severe sleep disturbance. Read more about the CCST team on the Bradford district's Local Offer website.
Parent/carer support and advocacy worker job opportunity
Bradford SENDIASS service are recruiting for a vacancy for 25 hours per week. It is mainly based around supporting parents and carers to get their voice across in meetings. Full training will be given in SEND law and advocacy, and applications are welcomed from people with lived experience as well as those with professional experience.
Please note the new closing date for this vacancy is 24 August (advert on their website says 3 August - this is being updated).
If anyone is interested in the role you can read more here or if you would like an informal chat contact the office on 01274 513300 and ask to speak to Rebecca Wilkins, Children’s Service Manager.
SENDIASS Tribunal drop-in workshop
26 August 1pm - 4pm
This is for families going through a tribunal process wanting practical support. Book this workshop and look out for future workshops from SENDIASS on the Bradford SENDIASS Eventbrite page.
Lauren's story - from school life to photography
Lauren who is now 23 is a budding photographer, but it didn't all begin this way. Read Lauren's story as she talks to Lucy Cartwright, SEND participation officer, about school life and then finding her closest friends through music and drama and encourages others to do the same.
Lauren says “Find what you love. Find your people.” Read Lauren's story.
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Work experience opportunity during the summer holidays at charity shop ‘Chromosome Rocks’
The Down Syndrome Training and Support Service are offering work experience placements for young adults with Down syndrome aged 16+ during the summer holidays at their charity shop 'Chromosome Rocks' found in Airedale Centre BD21 3PY. Full induction and training will be given. Roles include greeting and serving customers, using the till, cleaning and tidying the shop, preparing, cleaning and pricing items to go on sale. Young people will need to be supported by a parent/carer or personal assistant.
Email: office@downsyndromebradford.co.uk or phone: 01274 561308.
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Working together to influence change
The SEND Ambassadors group are parents/carers of children and young people with SEND who live in the Bradford district and work to influence change within the district and help us to ensure that the parent/carer voice is heard.
Members of the Ambassadors group met for an end of year coffee recently and Gemma and Robena (pictured) said: “We’re so proud to be involved in the group and be offered opportunities to get involved in the workstreams, and the SEND Board too, where we can share a parent’s perspective.”
You can find out more about the group and how to get involved on the SEND Local Offer website here.
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Toilet training workshops from the special needs school nurses
The Bradford district special needs school nursing service is offering toilet training workshops for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Children with SEND may take longer to achieve toilet training and need more support. The workshops will be delivered at Bradford district family hubs. The workshops are limited to 20 parents. To book email your name, your child's name and school and the date you wish to book, email: sendtoilettraining@bdct.nhs.uk
Courses run from (9.30am to 11.30am) apart from the 19 Aug which is (1.30pm - 3.30pm).
 12 August - TFD Centre BD4 0BH
19 August - Barkerend Family Hub BD3 8QX
20 August - Rainbow Family Hub BD22 6JB
11 September - Reevy Family Hub, BD6 3ST
6 October - Gateway BD10 0JR
15 October - Rainbow Family Hub BD22 6JB
17 December - Rainbow Family Hub BD22 6JB
Health and wellbeing events for people with learning disabilities and/or are neurodivergent (aged 18+)
The NHS, People First and Mixed Ability Sports have organised two health and wellbeing events for young people. Learn about healthy eating, bowel, breast and cervical screening, stopping smoking, dental care, and how to get involved in mixed ability sports.
Keighley event - book here.
Wednesday 10 September (10am-4pm) (talks from 10.30am) at Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley BD21 3JD
Bradford district event - book here.
Wednesday 17 September (10am-4pm) (talks from 10.30am) at Bradford Bulls, Odsal Stadium BD6 1BS
Free careers and community day for young people aged 16+ at Farcliffe Family Hub
On Thursday, 7 August (10am - 1pm) Farcliffe Family Hub are holding an event for children and young people aged 16+ who are interested in leaning more about future careers. Those attending include, Northern Railway, emergency services - (fire, police, ambulance), Cadet Team, National Energy Action, SkillsHouse, Bradford Apprenticeships, florists, Mehndi artists, dog groomers, cake makers and more.
No need to book, just turn up. Read more about the event on the Bradford West Family Hub's Facebook page.
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Shaping SEND event with the parent carer network
On Friday 11 July the local authority met with 40+ parent/carers from the Bradford district parent carer network for a presentation about the ‘One Plan’ for SEND from Dan Careless, the new Interim Assistant Director for SEND and Inclusion. Parents and carers were invited to ask questions, and a really productive and open discussion took place about how the SEND partnership can help to develop the plan for the district.
The presentation covered the SEND Inspection Framework, the six workstreams taking forward the work and the nine key priority areas that have been identified so far. Parents and carers were asked to take part in prioritising the key measures for success.
Going forward there will be at least six engagement sessions a year also involving health and social care partners. To express an interest in taking part, email Parents’ Forum for Bradford and Airedale who will be organising the meetings, email: mahum@pfba.org.uk
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National Play Day - Lister park
Don't miss National Play Day taking place on Wednesday, 6 August, 11am until 3pm in Lister Park. The Lister Park event is free, aimed at children aged 5 to 14 and will include fun and accessible activities, stalls, and play equipment. No need to book – just turn up on the day. This event is one of a number of events this summer run by the The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
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Island of Foam - City of Culture event
There are so many activities taking place in Bradford district as the UK City of Culture for 2025 is bringing a whole host of exciting things for families to do. Don't miss Island of Foam, a free event in City Park taking place on Weds, 6 August (2pm - 4pm) where German artist artist Stephanie Lüning will be flooding Centenary Square with foam. You can watch from afar - then jump right in!
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Youth Fest - a free day of activities for 11-19 year olds!
On Thursday 7 August Youth Fest invites young people aged 11-19 (or up to 25 with additional needs) to a day of activities. Activities run from 1.30pm to 6pm and include creative arts workshops, team games, karaoke, Photo Hub North’s mobile caravan darkroom, teenage inflatables and a pizza van. From 6pm - 8.30pm, there will be a ‘disco vibes’ dance event inside The Beacon featuring performances and DJ sets from local young people. Read more about Youth Fest.
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Free course for supporting your child aged 3 to 4 years
The Incredible Years in-person 16-week programme will take place at Bradford district family hubs. The course is for any parent/carer of a child aged 3 or 4, and is also suitable if your child is still 4 and has already started school. Each session lasts 2 hours and aims to give extra support and a confidence boost around nurturing your child's learning and development. Courses are starting in October. Read more about the Incredible Years course.
New resources from West Yorkshire Neurodiversity Programme co-produced with All Star
The West Yorkshire Neurodiversity Programme and AllStar want to empower children and young people who are neurodivergent to feel independent and supported as they navigate life’s challenges. You can access resources about transitions, sleep, and eating all available in a range of formats, including videos (with and without subtitles and background audio), booklets (with images and plain text), and audio recordings. Find the resources here.
Free Living Well Children and Families service support
Support for children and young people aged 2 to 19 who are above a healthy weight. Friendly, trained advisors work with parents (for children under 13yrs) or directly with young people (13yrs+) to build healthy habits around food and activity. The team focuses on improving physical and emotional wellbeing, not just weight. To find out more visit the Living Well website or phone: 01274 435660
Darley Street market is open!
The opening of Darley Street market this month has brought a state-of-the-art venue with a lifestyle hall, fresh food hall and food kitchen to the Bradford district. Children can also learn to cook with FoodSavers Cookery School cook and eat sessions.
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