Funding
BYP is kindly supported by Bradford MDC Community Funding Unit, and our member subs coupled with this core funding from BMDC cover our principal running costs (premises, staff, etc.). We raise the necessary finance to mount our musical theatre productions by staging smaller-scale fundraising events such as revues, cabaret evenings, and one-night-only showcases. We also apply for grant funding, and received nearly £41,000 from the Youth Opportunities and Youth Capital Funds (YOF/YCF) in 2007, as well as small grants from Bradford Youth Grantmakers in 2007 and 2008. The small grants and the Youth Opportunities money allowed us to stage a number of productions showcasing the abilities and talents of the young people at BYP, while the Youth Capital funding enabled us to purchase new equipment to replace some of our old lighting and sound kit. The new BYP Drama Club was established in April 2010 thanks to funding from the 'Small Money, Big Change' scheme, administered by the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament.
We actively seek funding through grants and other awards in order that we can continue offering young people the varied and valuable opportunities we currently provide, and for capital and building projects such as the proposed building improvements at Little Lane: Phases I and II of the development work at Little Lane were part-funded by a small grant from the Trusthouse Foundation, and £28,000 from the Co-Op Foundation respectively.
Working Locally, for the Local Community
The Toller Ward is among the most deprived Wards in the country, with living environment ranked in the bottom 10% and income in the bottom 5% nationally (source: ID2007 statistics). BYP offers young people in the area and the wider Bradford West Constituency the opportunity to participate in regular, organised, high-quality activities, very few of which exist locally outside of BYP. Additionally, young people are able to contribute positively to the local community through public performances held at Little Lane, and our open-access policy allows all young people to participate, leading inherently to positive community cohesion.
BYP, Society and Culture
BYP is often asked to contribute to social and cultural events in the City, and our groups have participated in a range of such activities. We have provided entertainment for groups of elderly people including a successful concert for a "Holiday at Home" scheme, and were invited to perform at the 2009 Vinvolved awards celebration held at Kala Sangam's base in central Bradford. BYP also presented a short war-themed performance at the Bradford Festival of Remembrance at St George's Hall in an event which bridged the gap between generations. BYP staff and volunteers have also run sessions for other youth clubs including a Bradford-based group for young children from deprived backgrounds.
Promoting a Positive Image of Young People
In an age where general perceptions of young people focus on binge drinking and knife crime, BYP works extremely hard to promote the good things that young people bring to society and culture. We actively publicise our activities and events in order to try and generate exposure for the young people who attend BYP, all of whom are a credit to themselves, their families and their communities, and contribute positively to their surroundings.
Meeting the Every Child Matters Outcomes
As an organization which works with young people, BYP is committed to achieving the five Every Child Matters Outcomes. Since we work principally in the performing arts, our activities for young people are ideally suited to meeting this aim:
- Be Safe: BYP provides a safe environment in which young people can meet, network, learn and develop. Child protection and safety is paramount in all of our activities, and we have strict policies in place to ensure that all young people are kept safe at BYP.
- Be Healthy: BYP provides performing arts training, activities and opportunities, and since all members are expected to try singing, acting and dancing, encouraging young people to adopt a healthy, active lifestyle is inherent in what we do.
- Enjoy & Achieve: These are the main reasons why young people come to BYP and participate in our activities. Our youth-club ethos ensures that enjoyment and achievement go hand-in-hand in our activities.
- Make a Positive Contribution: We believe firmly that young people can be great credits to society. Through staging productions, our members demonstrate the strong positive contribution that they can make to society, culture and entertainment with their local communities and the wider area.
- Achieve Economic Well-Being: Transferable skills gained by young people through our activities can help with applications for further study and employment. As young people progress through BYP they have more opportunities to take a larger role in the direction, management and administration of the groups, and the experiences and skills developed can help build a strong curriculum vitae.
Links to Partner Organisations
BYP's status as a performing arts youth club affords us the opportunity to develop links with a wide range of organisations. As well as our partnership with Little Lane Church and our commission from the Community Funding Unit, we also work closely with the Arts Department and Youth Service at Bradford Council and we are working hard to develop closer links with other youth-focused groups and organisations in Bradford West. BYP is a member of Yorkshire Clubs for Young People (CYP), the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and the National Association of Youth Theatres (NAYT), and we are a registered charity (no 1102702).