Bradford4Better (B4B), a group of volunteers based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, have just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Bradford4Better are a group of ordinary citizens of Bradford, working together to make Bradford cleaner, safer, greener and better for everyone. They are a grassroots movement, completely volunteer led, united and driven by the passion to make Bradford better.
From small litter picks to city-wide and location-specific clean-up and action day campaigns their work has grown to cover various aspects of improving life in Bradford.
They cover a range of objectives they have set for the group, which include:
- Bradford 4 Safer
- Bradford 4 Cleaner
- Bradford 4 Healthier
- Bradford 4 Youth
Their projects include but are not limited to the following:
- Don’t Mess with Bradford: Reigniting the Pride in our City, Making our City Cleaner, Greener and Safer
- Bradford Lifesavers: Aiming to teach as many people in the city Basic Life Support for free
- GP 4 Better: Improving health outcomes (including Community Health Checks)
- B4B TV: Real People, Real Stories, Real Bradford
Bradford4Better seeks to use various channels such as digital and social media, art, technology and more along with collaboration and partnership work to engage with, support and empower the community towards an ever-improving Bradford.
B4B have worked with many partners including the local NHS, Bradford Council, the Police, Fire Service, The Telegraph and Argus, schools as well as local businesses, community and charitable organisations.
You can find out more about them on their website: http://www.bradford4better.com
Bradford4Better is one of a number of local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a social support network for disabled adults in Banffshire; a charity using a refurbished pool as a community hub in south Wales; volunteer doctors providing pre-hospital care across rural Cumbria and a village renewal organisation promoting sustainability, equality and social inclusion in County Antrim.
Representatives of Bradford4Better will receive the award crystal and certificate from Ed Anderson CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire later this summer. In addition, two volunteers from Bradford4Better will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2024, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Chairman Dr Sohail Ahmed welcomed the award, saying: “This award is for all those that believe in making Bradford better. Without the dedication and passion of our volunteers, we could not have made such an impact in our community. Thank you to all those that have been part of this journey and all those that recognised our efforts.”
Shahid Islam, Vice-Chair expressed with enthusiasm: “We’re absolutely over the moon for receiving this award. Of course we don’t do the work in order to receive accolades but when we receive them they do make us understand that our work is appreciated. In the words of Margaret Mead, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has’”
Kashif Ahmed, Secretary of Bradford4Better, commented: “We are deeply honoured to receive this esteemed recognition, which serves as an affirmation of our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in our community. We are grateful for the support we have received from our volunteers, community and partners, which has been instrumental in our success. This recognition inspires us to continue our efforts in creating a better future for Bradford.”
Yasar Mohammed, Treasurer, said, “We are deeply honoured and happy that B4B has been recognised for the work that has been done in the past 4 years. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible volunteers as well as our core team. By working together with others we have created real change for the residents of Bradford. We look to do many more projects in the near future and request more people to get involved and help make a difference in their areas.”
Notes to editors
1. Lord-Lieutenants represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
2. This year there are 262 recipients of The King’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK and Channel Islands.
3. More information on the recipients and the Award can be found at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
4. Full details on how to nominate are available at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
5. Nominations for the 2025 awards will open on the 1st June 2024.
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TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 