Briefing Bradford – Culture Fusion

By Kerr Kennedy

‘Culture Fusion, bringing Bradford together, making a difference - now this is what I call My Place!' is the elated response from the Bradford My Place Young People's Steering Group.

An activity and community hub for young people in Bradford took a huge step forward earlier this month after the Government gave £5 million for the scheme. Blueprints for the Culture Fusion project are the result of a city-wide consultation with children and young people. The funding goes a substantial way towards meeting the full £9.8m costs to renovate a derelict building on the site of Bradford's first steam mill in Thornton Road.

A partnership of voluntary sector organisations are behind the project, alongside Bradford Council, Bradford Careers Limited and lead partner Bradford YMCA, and they must now secure the rest of the money through grants and fundraising activities to get the scheme off the ground.

A great deal of responsibility has been invested in the young members of the project's steering group. The 13 to 25-year-olds were consulted on the location and name of the centre as well on what services it should provide.

The project would see the refurbishment and extension of the existing building on the site, opposite the Wow Academy, to include a six-storey climbing wall, gym, dance and music studios, hostel accommodation for educational residential trips, IT suite and rooftop café. The centre would also be used as a live music venue and would provide a place for disabled young people and international youth groups to visit for short breaks. Organisers hope to attract other voluntary organisations as tenants who would offer advice on a variety of issues ranging from business and housing support to relationship counselling, so that the centre is a safe, neutral place for young people of different backgrounds to meet.

Bernie Gahan, project co-ordinator, said: "The whole point of the project is it will be a neutral space in the city centre, not belonging to a particular territory, for children to come together.

"Bradford's young people wanted to build something that does everything because they have so many interests and it's going to be really versatile."

The Bradford scheme is one of 41 myplace projects benefiting from a share of £180m.

"I think it's great news for Bradford as a whole, and in particular the young people of Bradford who, if the remaining hurdles are negotiated, will benefit from a 'state of the art' facility that offers a neutral, fully equipped space for them to meet, work, get support and chill out in the city centre.

It's also good news from in that the groundwork for the bid was led by a voluntary sector organisation in partnership with Bradford Council and highlights the forward thinking and contribution that the sector makes to the provision of safe spaces for young people. Well done to all the bidding team of young people led by Bernie Gahan at City of Bradford YMCA."