Neighbourhoods Project

• Between 2019 and March 2023, the Neighbourhood Workers reached over 2000 families and made over 1500 referrals into Better Start Bradford projects, exceeding targets.
• The co-designed Neighbourhoods Project model has been shared widely amongst other services such as Community Partnerships Networks, Reducing Inequalities Alliance, Start for Life and with the Localities work. The Family Navigators role, as part of the Start for Life work within the Family Hubs, was developed from the Neighbourhood Workers role and job description.
• Neighbourhood Workers described many ways in which engaging with families in their roles had improved their practice and professional development. It is clear that they valued their experiences and felt positive about their roles.
• The Neighbourhood Workers played a pivotal role in supporting and instilling confidence in parents/carers to run their own Happy Early Years (HEY!) Fund groups. A number even progressed into employment, including one parent who became a Neighbourhood Worker herself.
• The project reacted quickly in the lockdown to ensure families still had support when other services were closed, meaning families stayed connected. The Neighbourhood Workers were perfectly-placed to engage and build trust with families on the doorstep during COVID-19, even delivering wellbeing packs that had been developed in partnership with Better Start Bradford, our Community Board and local organisations.
• All host organisations have put the ‘voice’ of the child in all aspects of their work.
• The West Bowling Centre has retained two neighbourhood workers through alternative funding, whose focus is on wellbeing of the families using the advice centre.
• The two Neighbourhood Workers from BD4 Community Trust are now working alongside Start for Life and running local maternity circles.

*This section includes information from both the evaluation report/s and project