Bulls team up with Bradford Dementia Hub

To mark Dementia Action Week this week, non-profit mental health provider, Community Links, part of the Inspire North group, announces the launch of its new Bradford-based dementia information service.

Bradford Dementia Hub will open in July to provide information and advice, supporting local people to manage their condition and live well with dementia.

The service will offer comprehensive post-diagnosis information, advice, and signposting for adults of any age diagnosed with dementia and their friends, families, and carers.

Bradford Dementia Hub has been commissioned by Bradford City Council for three years initially and will be delivered by Community Links in partnership with Bradford community support services – Khidmat Centres.

Local rugby team Bradford Bulls have also teamed up with Bradford Dementia Hub to help raise awareness of dementia in the local community and offer facilities for the service to run events.

Ruth Kettle, Chief Executive of Inspire North, said:

“We are extremely proud to be launching Bradford Dementia Hub, building on the success of Community Links’ three existing dementia services in West Yorkshire.

“Through our partnership with Khidmat Centres we will aim to reach diverse communities including the South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European, ensuring our support is culturally appropriate and tailored to the individual’s support needs.

“This is our very first dementia service in Bradford, and we are looking forward to establishing key local relationships with influential organisations such as the Khidmat Centres and the Bradford Bulls to promote a culture of access, understanding and empowerment around dementia.”

Rashad Bokhari, General Manager of Khidmat Centres, commented:

“Khidmat Centres since its inception has provided day-care services to vulnerable adults with a wide range of needs. Over the years, we have worked with individuals and their families around dementia and understanding and managing the condition.

He continued:

“We bring to the fore religious and cultural competency, being acutely aware of gaps in provision for what is a sizeable population of Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups. Therefore, we welcome this partnership with Inspire North and allied agencies to address deficits in provision and provide essential services to those communities who may be underserved.”

Jason Hirst, Chief Executive of Bradford Bulls, said:

“In partnership with the Bradford Bulls Foundation, the Bradford Bulls are delighted and honoured to work alongside Inspire North and Khidmat Centres. Rugby League and the Bradford Bulls are a force for good across our whole community and we look forward to raising awareness of dementia services across the Bradford district.

Chris Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Bradford Bulls Foundation, said:

“This is a fantastic partnership, in which the ‘Bulls’ are looking forward to working closely with Khidmat Centres and Inspire North. This partnership will support the people of Bradford by raising awareness of dementia across our communities and by helping people to access services within the city.”

Bradford Dementia Hub will offer one-to-one appointments via phone or home visits and community outreach. People with a dementia diagnosis can be referred to the service through their GPs, or memory clinics, or they can self-refer via the soon-to-be-launched Bradford Dementia Hub website.

Bradford Dementia Hub is the fourth offering in Community Links’ Dementia Hub family, following Kirklees Dementia Hub which opened in 2017 and the Calderdale Dementia Hub which launched in 2022, Community Links is also provides Young Dementia Leeds, which offers day respite for younger people living with dementia.