IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the vast majority of our face-to-face support and activities are cancelled until further notice. Please visit this dedicated Coronavirus (COVID-19) page to see our full statement and contact details for all projects during this time.
We work with families to give children the best possible start in life in Bowling and Barkerend, Bradford Moor and Little Horton through a range of innovative projects to support them through pregnancy and the earliest years of their children’s lives.
These projects focus on children’s social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and health and nutrition and are delivered by a range of partners, overseen by Better Start Bradford.
Find out about each project below and if you’d like to get involved, or want to refer a family you’re working with, please contact us at: [email protected]
Are you or your partner pregnant?
Ensuring women see the same midwife, with longer appointments, and enhanced support and information
Find out more about the Personalised Midwifery Care Project project »
A friendly, locally-provided antenatal course for pregnant mums, dads and carers
Baby Steps is a group-based programme designed to support expectant parents to be able to manage the emotional and physical transition into parenthood.
Offering practical and emotional support to pregnant mums six weeks before the birth, during labour and six weeks after the birth, through trained volunteers.
HAPPY is a free and friendly 12-week antenatal and post-natal programme for pregnant women with a BMI greater than 25.
Find out more about the HAPPY (Healthy and Active Parenting Programme for Early Years) project »
Language courses for pregnant women with English needs, to help them engage with their midwife and be more in control of their pregnancy and labour
Are you pregnant or is your baby under one?
Free mobile phone app for parents and parents-to-be, with personalised content approved by doctors and midwives, from pregnancy to six months after birth
Little Minds Matter helps strengthen the relationship between babies and parents by delivering messages about infant mental health through training, support and guidance to workers and directly supporting families that need more help.
Providing emotional support to families where a parent is struggling with their emotional health or wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year after birth.
Breastfeeding support for families with a baby up to 6 months old, who are breastfeeding or mixing bottle and breastfeeding.
Find out more about the Breastfeeding Support Project project »
Are you a family with a child under four?
Pre-Schoolers in the Playground (PiP) is a 10-week project which provides opportunities for parents and children to get active in a safe outdoor environment while building parents’ skills and confidence in active play.
Find out more about the Pre-Schoolers in the Playground (PiP) project »
The Forest School Play Project is an exciting, inclusive and adventurous nature-based play programme which seeks to create and embed positive outcomes for young children and their families across the Better Start Bradford area.
Find out more about the Forest School Play Project project »
Involving local people in developing safer and healthier places for expectant parents and families with children under four to play and walk, and increase access to outdoor spaces.
Supporting two-year-olds in communication and language development through home visits to encourage play and conversation
Promoting a positive attachment between parents and their toddlers so that they feel loved, safe and secure.
Practical cooking sessions over six weeks helping families gain the skills and knowledge to cook low-cost, healthy food at home.
Find out more about the Cooking for a Better Start project »
Providing support, friendship and practical help to families with children aged under four and during pregnancy.
Providing free books to children under four in our area, to help develop language and literacy skills
An eight-week course or one-to-one sessions supporting families with young children to develop healthy lifestyles
I CAN Early Talk supports early years' practitioners to improve speech, language and communication (SLC) for children aged 0-3.
If you’d like to get involved, or want to refer a family you’re working with, please contact us at: [email protected]