Local support for adult mental wellbeing

Bradford Council news release, September 2023: 23 local projects being supported to boost wellbeing in Bradford

From bushcraft to breadmaking, cricket to crafting there’s something for everyone in the 23 wellbeing projects which have received funding from Bradford Council’s Public Health team. 

The grants are supporting projects that focus on the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and accessing green spaces. Evidence suggests that there are five ways to improve mental wellbeing. 

Connecting with other people helps us build a sense of belonging and share positive experiences. Being physically active causes chemical changes in the brain which can positively change people’s mood. Learning new skills can improve self-confidence, whilst giving to others creates positive feelings and helps people connect to each other. Lastly, paying attention to the present moment, also known as mindfulness, helps people to understand themselves better and enjoy life more. The World Health Organisation found that being in green spaces such as parks and woods has positive effects on overall mental health and quality of life.

There are a wide range of activities that adults across the district can try including group walks, outdoor cooking, creative writing, woodcarving, dance, arts, crafts, nature exploration and much more. Some activities are specifically for groups of people who are at risk of health inequalities, whilst others are open to everyone in the local community. 

Grants of between £500 and £10,000 were available and projects were encouraged to think about the long-term impact of the funding. Some organisations have chosen to buy equipment, such as gardening tools, that can be used for years to come, whilst others will fund training for staff and volunteers.  

Sarah Muckle, Director of Public Health at Bradford Council said; “I am pleased that we can support these projects to improve people’s mental wellbeing across the district. It is great to see the variety of activities that are on offer, and I look forward to seeing what the community groups can achieve with this funding.’’

The organisations awarded will be delivering their projects across the Bradford District in the coming months. Activities will all be free or low cost. Details of the projects and how you can get involved can be found on the Bradford Council website.