If you happened to be near the newly transformed Bradford Live on June 24th, you might have noticed a real anticipation in the air. Inside, over 150 people gathered for a massive milestone for our district: the official launch of Bradford Council’s updated Community Cohesion and Inclusion Framework (2025–2030).
The Bradford Hindu Council (BHC) was proud to be right in the thick of it. The event was a brilliant reminder that making Bradford a fairer, more welcoming place isn’t something that can just be written on paper by policymakers. It takes all of us working together, rolling up our sleeves at a grassroots level.
Powerful Words and Local Insights
The day kicked off with an insightful keynote speeches from Chief Superintendent Richard Padwell of West Yorkshire Police and Zulfikar Kareem DL who set the tone by sharing how vital mutual trust and safety are for a thriving community.
Following the keynote, the energy shifted to an open, honest panel discussion. Noreen Akhtar (Assistant Director for Stronger and Regulatory Services at the Council) chaired the conversation, keeping things moving and tossing out some brilliant, thought-provoking questions to the panel.
Our very own Chair, Deepak Sharma, sat on the stage representing the BHC and the wider Hindu community. He was in fantastic company alongside a wonderful mix of local voices:
Sofia Buncy DL MBE from the Khidmat Centre
Rev Ned Lunn representing Bradford Cathedral
Annisia Boldosan, a passionate Senior Youth Ambassador
Richard Stroud MBE from the Bradford Reform Synagogue
Dr. Charles Dacres from the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance
What Cohesion Looks Like in Everyday Life
When Noreen asked the panel how faith groups and local organisations can build trust, the consensus was clear: it’s all about showing up for people when they need it most.
Deepak spoke about how the BHC and our local temples try to put this into practice every day. Whether it’s running local food banks during tough economic times, creating safe spaces for youth outreach, or cooking up hot meals for our homeless, we believe that support shouldn’t have boundaries. When you open your doors to everyone, regardless of their background, labels fade away and genuine relationships start to grow.
The panel didn’t shy away from the tough stuff, either. The group chatted openly about the everyday challenges our neighbourhoods face, like financial pressures, the digital divide, and how quickly rumours can spread online.
The big takeaway? We need to keep things local. By supporting the Council’s neighbourhood-focused approach and using local Area Officers, we can spot issues early and sort things out through simple, face-to-face conversation over a cuppa.
Looking After the Future
A Key highlight of the chat was hearing from the younger generation. Annisia Boldosan brought an amazing perspective to the stage, reminding everyone that if we want young people to feel a true sense of belonging, we have to involve them in the conversation directly.
At the BHC, we are completely on board with this. We are throwing our full support behind initiatives like the Community Linking Programme to give young British Hindus and youth from every single background in Bradford the tools to connect, break down old stereotypes, and realize they are all a vital part of one big team.
“Bradford has always been a city of grit, heart, and massive smiles. Cohesion isn’t a buzzword; it’s just about being a good neighbour and looking out for one another.”
Moving Forward: Action Over Consultation
As the event wrapped up, the message leaving the stage was clear: consultation is great, but action is what counts. Over the next twelve months, our goal must be to move from strategic discussion to sustainable, deep-rooted action.
The Bradford Hindu Council will continue to work hand-in-hand with Bradford Council, our interfaith partners, and the brilliant Voluntary, Community, and Faith Sector (VCS). Together, we will champion inclusive spaces, support local anti-poverty strategies, and ensure that Bradford remains a resilient, welcoming, and united city for everyone.
