west bowling youth initiative
West Bowling Bradford
The West Bowling Youth Initiative (WBYI) is a small charity and local voluntary
sector organisation based in a multi-cultural area of Bradford. It was
established in 1991 by local people to work with predominately young British
Pakistani Muslim men, especially those who were at risk of offending. The
initial project was supported by The Prince’s Trust and subsequently gained
funding and backing from other charities, EU and government funding and ongoing
support from the local authority. Over the last 25 years, WBYI has broadened its
remit and has developed a strong reputation for successfully engaging hard to
reach young people, including those excluded or struggling at school,
ex-offenders and those in the criminal justice system and others facing a
difficult transition to adulthood. WBYI currently works with a core age range of
13 to 25 year olds including, employment support programmes; alternative
curriculum programmes for schools and crime prevention work through personal and
social development projects. In addition, school holiday programmes and sports
activities cater for local 7 to 13 year olds and increasingly there is a demand
for volunteering and leisure activity.
