School holidays are well underway, and many families are looking for free (or low cost) and fun ways to get out and about together. The great news is, there is lots on offer across the Bradford District to entertain children of all ages, so please read on to find out more!
The other big news this month is the opening of the new Daisy Den at Barkerend Family Hub. This new room, in the hub's garden area, is a welcoming and calm space for meetings between professionals and the families they are supporting in a range of ways.
The Family Hubs and Start for Life programme continues to boost the support for families across the Bradford District. This month we are promoting the fantastic Incredible Years programme, for families with 3 and 4 year olds, which has 6 courses launching in October!
There is lots more in this newsletter from the Family Hubs and other trusted organisations across the district. We also include our ever-popular links to the Family Hub timetables, as well as useful pages on the FYI (Families and Young Persons Information) website.
Please take a look and share the newsletter with anyone who might find it useful.
Summer holidays at Bradford District's Family Hubs!
Over the next month or so, our district's main Family Hubs are offering a range of free events and activities for families with children of all ages.
Some of these activities are taking place on National Playday, on Wednesday, 6 August, but for maximum fun, events are happening on other days as well.
Reevy Hill Family Hub is offering free summer holiday fun every Wednesday during the school holidays. Each session is from 1pm to 3pm, on 30 July, and 6, 13, 20 and 27 August. Please book a place by contacting the hub directly.
Barkerend Family Hub - Playday event on Thursday, 7 August from 10am to 3pm. Lots to do for children of all ages including arts, crafts and music with Bradford 2025, fun with 50 things to do before you're 5, chess and other board games for the older ones, and more. Places are limited, please book a place by contacting the hub directly.
Rainbow Family Hub - Summer Beach Day on
Farcliffe Family Hub is holding a fun day on Thursday, 7 August. This also includes a careers fair - please find out more below!
All of these events are listed on the FYI website What's On guide, and also on the Family Hub timetables. Here you can also find contact details for booking, where needed. Hope to see you there!
Over the holiday season, there are some timetable changes for regular sessions at the Family Hubs. If in doubt, please check your session is going ahead before attending.
National Playday is taking place on Wednesday, 6 August, with the theme 'spaces for play'. There are lots of 'spaces to play' available in our district all year round - such as the Family Hub's sensory spaces, all our district's free playgrounds - and so much more!
To celebrate National Playday, there are even more free events across the Bradford District on this day and throughout the summer, offering fun and play for families with children of all ages.
Playday highlights - Wednesday, 6 August
Cliffe Castle Park in Keighley (The Beacon venue) - The MEGA Drawing Box in the Park - Wednesday, 6 August, FREE creative session for all ages.
City Park, Bradford - Island of Foam (National Play Day) - come and see Centenary Square transformed by mountains of Technicolor foam - and when it’s complete, you can jump in. Wednesday, 6 August, 2pm to 6pm
Mayfield Centre, Bradford - National Play Day - bugs, planting and messy play with Better Place. Wednesday 6 August, 12 noon to 3om.
Play in the Park and Mini Bounce Planet (open to all)
With inflatables, sports and play equipment, accompanied by a resident DJ, Bradford District's local 'Play in Parks' events are great for all the family!
All events are funded by local town, parish and village councils, are FREE to attend and will run from 11am to 3pm.
All the dates and locations are on the Bradford Parks website. They are also all listed on the FYI website. Please note there is more than one event happening some days.
HAF summer of family fun - free events (open to all)
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is also offering free events in parks across the district, with inflatables, arts/crafts, climbing towers, sports games, dance, adventure and much more.
These events are open to all children aged 5 to 14 and will run 11am to 3pm. While all are welcome to play, children who receive benefit-related free school meals can also get a free, healthy packed lunch (first come first served if very popular).
The Beacon touring venue - from Cliffe Castle to Lister Park
Bradford 2025's fantastic touring venue, The Beacon, will be at two different parks during August.
Until 10 August, the moveable venue will be installed at Cliffe Castle Park in Keighley, bringing a range of free and ticketed events for people of all ages.
Then it will be dismantled and rebuilt at Lister Park, Bradford, ready to open on Thursday, 28 August with a Big Beacon Family Welcome. Events there will continue until 28 September, when The Beacon will be taken down for one last time.
Don't miss your chance to visit this iconic venue while you have chance!
Free highlights for families during late July and August will include:
Cliffe Castle, Keighley
Celebrating Culture - Thursday, 31 July from 12 noon, with activities for children and all the family to enjoy. Free to attend. Celebrate all the culture and creativity that South Asian Culture brings to Keighley.
The MEGA Drawing Box in the Park - Wednesday, 6 August, FREE creative session for all ages.
STATUESQUE - Saturday, 9 August, from 11am - FREE art making workshop and parade for all ages
Let’s Make - Sunday, 10 August, 10am to 2:30pm - FREE art and craft session for all ages.
Lister Park, Bradford
The Big Beacon Family Welcome - Thursday, 28 August - family fun day with workshops, activities and performances.
Play Bradford’s Mobile Adventure Playground - 30 August, 20 and 27 September - the Mobile Adventure Playground features a variety of portable play equipment to make fun more accessible across the Bradford District.
There is lots more happening at Lister Park throughout September. It's all listed on the Beacon website - take a look to find out more.
Bradford Libraries - Summer Reading Challenge - with free activities
Grow your adventures with Bradford Libraries and the ever-popular Summer Reading Challenge.
This year the theme is Story Garden and there will be lots of events and activities to support children’s reading skills.
Children aged 4 to 12 years can sign up and receive incentives along the way as they read books throughout the summer. Families and their children can call in to any library across the district to register.
Recommended reading: The summer reading challenge website has a book list of recommended reads for different ages and reading stages - these are available to borrow for free from our libraries: Story garden books.
Collect stickers and other rewards: children who take part get rewards for completing each stage of the challenge.
Barkerend Family Hub has opened a new family-friendly meeting room in its garden area.
This new room, named the Daisy Den after involvement from families, will increase the space available for appointments held between support professionals and family members of any age.
The building of the room has been funded by the Family Hubs Start for Life capital funding grant, funding received from the Department of Education to help develop and improve the family hubs’ buildings and assets.
Colleagues and partnership organisations wishing to book the Daisy Den – please contact Barkerend / Bradford East Family Hub directly.
Choosing the Daisy Den’s name
Families were asked for ideas about what to name the new room, and there was a vote on Facebook and within the Family Hub.
The name chosen was Daisy Den – chiming with the outdoor location of the room and suggesting an informal, cosy and friendly space.
Barkerend families, working with creative facilitators from the Bradford 2025 City of Culture ‘Our Patch’ team, also created a beautiful hand painted ‘Daisy Den’ sign, which will be displayed on the inside of the room.
A big thank you to all the families involved in choosing the name and creating the sign.
The Daisy Den sign was officially unveiled at a recent networking event to launch the new space. It was great to welcome families along as well, to join in the creative wellbeing activities provided. Read more about the event in the ‘information for professionals’ section further below.
Support your child through their ‘Incredible Preschool Years’
Are you a parent or carer with a child or children aged 3-4 years?
Do you live in the Bradford District?
Would you like a bit of extra support and a confidence boost around nurturing your child's learning and development?
If yes, the Incredible Years Preschool Programme is for you!
This programme is designed to help you build strong bonds with your child or children, offering support with their speech and language, setting routines and boundaries, and encouraging them to build positive relationships with others.
Parents who completed this course and followed the activities at home said:
“My son now walks into nursery on his own and settles happily”
“My son has learnt to share things”
“The buddy group has helped me with advice on parent skills and much more”
If you are looking ahead to your child starting school in September 2026, this could be the ideal course for you to help your child get ready for reception class. The course is relevant for all 3 and 4 year olds and is also suitable if your child is still 4 and has already started school.
You can read more about the course on the FYI website.
How are the sessions delivered?
In-person at venues across the Bradford District.
16 week programme.
Each session lasts 2 hours.
You should attend without your child (creche can be provided if needed).
You will learn techniques to practice with your child at home.
Includes refreshments, and resources to use at home.
Venues
Courses are starting in October across all of these venues. Session times vary but are in between school pick up times to make it easier for families who also have children at school.
Barkerend Family Hub (Bradford East area) (starts Monday, 6 October)
Newby Primary School (Bradford East area) (starts Wednesday, 8 October)
Reevy Hill Family Hub (Bradford South area) (starts Tuesday, 7 October)
St Wilfrid's Church (Bradford South area) (starts Thursday, 9 October)
Farcliffe Family Hub (Bradford West area) (starts Tuesday, 7 October)
Rainbow Family Hub (Keighley and Shipley) (starts Thursday, 9 October)
Baby Massage with the Family Hubs - more dates from September
Through popular demand, more baby massage courses have been added to the timetables! Suitable for parents/carers of a baby from around 6 weeks to 6 months old.
Don't miss out! If you or someone you know:
would like to strengthen your bond with your baby
would like to boost your self confidence in parenting
are finding it difficult to calm your baby
are struggling to connect with your baby, or feeling worried or sad
Then this free 5 week baby massage course could help.
Dates and venues are listed below.
Bradford East area - Barkerend Family Hub, 365 Barkerend Road, BD3 8QX
Friday, 12 September until Friday, 10 October
Keighley and Shipley area
Keith Thompson Centre, Coronation Mount, Keighley, BD22 6HE - Monday, 15 September until Monday, 13 October
Trinity Centre, John Escritt Road, Bingley, BD16 2ST - Wednesday, 17 September until Wednesday, 15 October
Bradford South area - Reevy Hill Family Hub, Bedale Drive, BD6 3ST
Thursday, 25 September until Thursday, 23 October
Bradford West area - Farcliffe Family Hub, Toller Lane, Bradford
Friday, 3 October until Friday, 31 October
Further sessions to follow, including more sessions in Bradford South from September.
It's World Breastfeeding Week from 1 to 7 August. The NHS website lists lots of benefits of breastfeeding, including improvements to your baby's long term health, and benefits for mum such as helping your uterus (tummy) get back to size, and being one of the ways to help you bond with your baby. Breastfeeding is also free, convenient and always ready to use – you don’t need to sterilise bottles and teats.
Breastfeeding can be tricky to get the hang of at first, but support is available for families in the Bradford District. And whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or both, we have information and support that might help with any issues you may be having.
Drop in, in person - There are baby feeding drop in sessions across the district - take a look at the Family Hub timetables to find one convenient for you.
Local advice by text message - If you're breastfeeding and need support, just text our Community Infant feeding team on 07312 263233 for confidential NHS advice. A member of the team responds within working hours and will chat with you via text, listening, asking questions and providing support in confidence.
Support at all hours - For confidential breastfeeding information and support, call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Online learning - the In Our Place online course 'Understanding your baby' has a section about feeding, with a topic about feeding patterns and cues which you may also find useful. This course is free with the code BDPARENTS - find out more in the longer article below.
Find out more about support for feeding your baby on the FYI website: Feeding my baby.
Have Your Say on Bradford’s Health Visiting and School Nursing Services
The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV), in partnership with Bradford Council, is carrying out an insights project to better understand the experiences of families, staff, and partners involved with Bradford’s Health Visiting and School Nursing Services.
The team would love to hear from:
Parents, carers and families
Young people aged 10 to 19
Two surveys are available - one aimed at parents and carers, and a separate survey aimed at young people.
The young people's survey is designed to be accessible to young people. Please share the opportunity to take part with your child. If needed, young people can also ask for help at a youth club.
Your views will help identify what’s working well, where there may be gaps, and how the service can be improved to better support babies, children, and families across Bradford.
If you’ve had experience with Bradford’s Health Visiting or School Nursing Services, please take some time to complete the survey(s) and share your thoughts.
Free kids' car seat checking across the Bradford District
Are you confident your child's car seat is well fitted and is keeping your child safe in your car?
Bradford District's road safety team, and Good Egg Safety, are going on tour across Bradford and Keighley over the next few months, to offer free checks for your child's car seat - and help put your mind at ease.
Upcoming dates are:
JULY: Asda Rooley Lane (Bradford) Thursday, 31 July 2025, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
AUGUST: Keighley Asda (Bingley Street, Keighley) Wednesday, 13 August 2025, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
OCTOBER: Morrisons, 5 Lane Ends (Idle, Bradford) Monday, 27 October 2025, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Follow Good Egg Safety on Facebook to book directly onto the events so you get a reminder.
All the events are also listed on the FYI website in the What’s On guide.
From the moment your baby is born, their brain is busy making millions of connections. Their early experiences - like playtime, caring relationships, and even what response they get when they cry - help shape how they learn, grow, and feel. It's a key time for building strong foundations for your child’s emotional wellbeing and lifelong development.
Understanding your babyis a free online course for all parents, grandparents and carers welcoming a new baby. It will guide you through your baby's first 12 months, with all the practical information and advice you would expect from a traditional baby group, and with the added benefit of support around emotional and mental wellbeing for you and your baby.
The resources and information included are focused on the first year of your baby’s life. If your baby is over 1, you might find the course on Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager more helpful.
The Understanding your baby course is available completely free to Bradford District's families. It is available in English, Arabic, Urdu, Spanish and Welsh, and can be translated into other languages through Google Translate.
To access this or any other any course, all you need is your Bradford District post code and the code BDPARENTS.
More about In Our Place
‘In Our Place’ is an online library of free courses for everyone in the Bradford District, including families with children of all ages, during pregnancy, for teenagers (courses to follow independently), and adults.
There are 17 courses, all delivered online, ‘on demand’, through a combination of interactive audio and text. You can follow them in your own time and at your own pace. Different language options are available, and the system also supports Google Translate.
The courses have been created by Solihull Approach working with NHS psychology experts.
To access the courses for free, all you will need is your post code and the access code – BDPARENTS.
You can register for as many courses as you want.
Where to find In Our Place
You can find a link directly to the In Our Place courses from the Parenting and family programmes page on the FYI (Families and Young Person’s Information) website.
Click on the In Our Place button to access the courses.
If you would like to talk to a professional, or prefer in person advice and support, you can also get in touch with our district’s Family Hubs.
Information and training for professionals and practitioners
Daisy Den launch and networking event at Barkerend Family Hub
A big thank you to all our colleagues and partners who came along to the recent Daisy Den launch and networking event at Barkerend Family Hub.
The Daisy Den is a private, calm and welcoming meeting room, which has been built in the hub’s garden area. The Daisy Den will increase the space available for appointments between support professionals and family members of any age.
A range of partners attended the event, holding stalls and sharing information with peers, including Dad Matters, the Brathay Trust, Community Infant Feeding, The Bridge Project, Staying Put, the FYI website, Family Hubs and Start for Life, the Family Hub’s own early help teams, and many more.
All the partners also had a tour of the Daisy Den and had the opportunity to take part in creative wellbeing activities provided by the Bradford 2025 ‘Our Patch’ team.
Feedback from the launch event
Feedback was gathered following the event, and the response was unanimously positive. Comments about the highlights included:
“I really enjoyed the ability to network with so many different partners, and how much you all join up. And of course, the Daisy Den art!”
“Networking with others and showcasing the new purpose-built room.”
“Super proud and excited for our organisations to work together in the future!”
There is a longer summary of the feedback, which also includes lots of pictures from the event, on the FYI website’s Good news & highlights blog.
Watch the video!
There is a short video which shows the inside of the Daisy Den. You can watch it on the Good news & highlights blog on the FYI website.
Booking the Daisy Den
From the start of August, colleagues from all Bradford District’s partnership organisations that support families, can book the Daisy Den to meet with a family or family members. Use of the meeting room for this purpose is free of charge.
We regret that the room cannot be used for meeting with groups of multiple families; staff/workforce meetings; or local authority family time sessions. This is due to the layout, size, and intended purpose of the room.
If you would like to book the room, please contact Barkerend Family Hub’s reception team on 01274 437523 or FamilyHubEast@bradfordcft.org.uk.
Each Family Hub area also works with other places including schools, nurseries, and community centres to provide services at a wider variety of places and closer to where families live. Contact your nearest Family Hub to find out more.
Full information is on the FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website:
The FYI (Families and Young Person's Information) website has a What's On guide, which is kept up-to-date with events around the district for families, children and young people.
There are various filters to help you search, including by date, post code, age group and event category.
You can also search by 'key word' to find what you are interested in - just use the 'Search' function while you are on the What's On page.
Take a look and find out what's happening near you!
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