Bridge

12/02/2026

We support 🙌Collective Voice’s🙌 call for Government action, setting out five essential steps to build an effective, accessible treatment system - click the 🔗to read:

1️⃣make your position clear
2️⃣ringfence long-term investment for this
3️⃣end postcode lottery for residential treatment
4️⃣commission substance use treatment in prisons directly with specialist providers
5️⃣deliver the Sentencing Review recommendations

https://www.collectivevoice.org.uk/news/from-hope-to-delivery-five-essential-next-steps-for-government-action-on-alcohol-and-other-drugs/

💚At Bridge, by supporting people with substance use challenges, we work towards less crime, fewer children taken into care, reduced pressure on a criminal justice system in crisis, and fewer people attending already‑stretched A&E departments.💚

We need Government to outline clear aims and priorities for our field, and offer political leadership to achieve these, ensuring relevant professionals and organisations focus on this life-changing work. Download our Five Steps document (pdf) Our Chief Executive, Will Haydock, introduces the five ke...

02/02/2026

💛Inside the Reconnect Centre at Bridge 💛

Last week gave us cold temperatures, light snow, then rain and misty fog — definitely come‑in‑and‑get‑dry and cosy weather! So, we did what we do best: put the kettle on (again) and the tumble dryer to welcome people living street‑based lives with a warm space to settle in.

And because winter calls for something tactile and comforting, we opened up a chocolate‑themed jigsaw puzzle 🍫🧩 Very quickly, two puzzle sorting styles emerged:

-The colour‑sorters, lining up bars of chocolate piece by piece
-The edge‑first purists, hunting corners like seasoned pros

Whatever your way stay dry, Bradford — our door (and our puzzle box) is always open.

27/01/2026

❄️Help for homeless people during cold weather❄️

If you or someone you know is homeless please know - Bradford Council and partners run a Cold Weather service that gives emergency shelter to people sleeping rough when temperatures drop to freezing or below.

Referrals to the service are made in person by approaching the Day Shelter, 371 Leeds Road, Bradford, BD3 9NG during week days, or Discovery House on weekends. On weekends and bank holidays, referrals can be made over the phone on 01274 309165.

25/01/2026

23/01/2026

👉We’re looking for Roma and Eastern European people in Bradford to take part in a paid study👈

We are supporting an NHS-funded project that wants to understand how people from Roma and Eastern European communities experience care in the last year of life 💙

This includes people who:
• Have a serious illness themselves
• Have cared for someone with a serious illness
• Are a family member or friend of someone who needed care in the last year of life
• Are bereaved or grieving after losing someone

Your experiences can help improve care for others in the future!

What’s involved?
• Friendly, relaxed group workshops
• Or a one-to-one interview if you prefer
• based at Romalandia - The Roma Cultural Centre

**You will be paid • £20 per hour •Travel costs covered (up to £10 each way if attending in person)**

Everything you share is private and confidential. You can choose how much you take part and can stop at any time.

Message us directly if you are interested or would like more information.

19/01/2026

Mini Orchard Magic at Bridge's Reconnect Centre!

Today we welcomed Alan from Fruit Works Co-op to our as part or our collaboration to support people currently living street‑based lives.

Staff spilled outside to help pot up a new mini‑orchard of 5 fruit trees - apple, pear and plum. With hands deep in soil, one colleague smiled, “Ah… just what I needed after today.”

Staff received practical training on pruning and caring for the trees—and, just like our work, the message was clear: invest in strong roots and solid foundations over time, and the fruits will follow.

Many thanks to Paul and Wendy at Woodbank Nurseries - Harden, Bingley for supporting Bridge with a discount on John Innes potting soil. 🌱🍎🍐🍑

If you're able to make or donate a picnic table or bench, please get in touch on 01274 723863

17/01/2026

This looks interesting!

An 8-week course for women not currently in paid employment:
-Learn new skills
-Build confidence
-Have fun making radio programmes

Taster session:
Date: 21st January
Time: 11:00am
Location: Bradford Arts Centre (BD1 4TY)
Contact:
Phone: 01274 771677
Email: mary.dowson@bcbradio.co.uk

15/01/2026

🌍 National HIV Testing Week is here! 🌍

Testing is quick, free and confidential. Early diagnosis saves lives, and treatment is free on the NHS.

📍 How to get tested in Bradford:
• Book with MESMAC: https://www.mesmac.co.uk/our-services/bradford/hiv-sti-testing
• Locala clinic: Howard House, 2nd Floor, 6 Bank Street, BD1 1EE (call 0303 330 9500 for appointments)
• Order a free kit: freetesting.hiv and startswithme.org.uk

If substance use is part of your life right now, testing regularly is especially important—support is non‑judgemental and local.

Share this post and encourage others to .

15/01/2026

The Way Forward is an opportunity for young men, aged 18-24, in Bradford to take ownership of their lives and their future.

Through a free bespoke 12-week programme, participants will gain new skills around wellbeing and employability.

Sign up by 26th January for free:
-1-to1 mentoring
-mental health support
-pathways to jobs
-education and training,
-free football and fitness sessions
-and more.

All sessions take place in safe, welcoming spaces in BD8, BD3 and BD5.

"A loss of identity among young men in our city is a massive issue - we invite you to find that identity, as we all work together to find The Way Forward." Bradford City FC Community Foundation

There's still time to register for our second phase of 👇

The programme is free for men aged 18-24, using the power of sport to improve wellbeing, confidence and employability 💛

Register here: forms.gle/NzxrFEjgYGnRPyfC6

| Bradford City AFC | EFL in the Community

15/01/2026

15/01/2026