About Us

emerge is a young people’s charity

We have delivered transformational youth work for over 25 years in the BD4 area of Bradford.

We work to build positive relationships with all young people with a focus on reaching and engaging those who feel marginalised or isolated. Our goal is to enable all young people to become part of a community within which they can thrive, develop and reach their potential. We are motivated by our Christian faith and values to inspire, empower and build resilience in young people of all backgrounds, faiths and cultures.

Emerge - The Bradford Charity for Young People

There are many ways to work with young people, but we passionately believe in the journey.

No quick fixes, no false promises, but commitment shown through trusting and honest relationships. Our personal and collective calling is to have compassion for the young people we serve and our work is shaped by those in most need around us. This translates into the following value statements which drive our work.

Our Value Statements

  1. In every situation we are relational, holistic and person-centred.
  2. We aim to work with compassion, creativity and positivity at all times.
  3. We have a bias towards the hardest to reach and those in most need.
  4. We are about growth in the broadest sense – it’s not just a numbers game.
  5. We want all work to be sustainable. We are here for the long haul.

A Short History

Our work started over 25 years ago in Laisterdyke and East Bowling – two different, but equally challenging communities in South Bradford. Two churches and two sets of youth workers, committed themselves to making a difference by stepping out and engaging with the young people on their streets. With a whole community approach, they set out to provide appropriate alternatives to the crime and temptations young people were involved in and inspire them to transform their lives. The two starting points grew together and in time became one organisation. Our reach has grown and we currently have 14 staff and a host of amazing volunteers who work together to create a varied youth work offer and high-quality support for young people in four communities within BD4. Organisational structures and funding have come and gone, but our heart has not changed – we are committed to inspiring change in the lives of young people.

Emerge - The Bradford Charity for Young People

The Need for Youth Work

In recent years the continuing pressure on budgets and funding across many sectors has left vulnerable young people with ever fewer resources to prevent poor health, poor wellbeing, poverty and hopelessness. The recent Covid19 pandemic has made most things worse for young people in our communities. Young people are often scapegoated. People see their behaviour but are unwilling to recognise their journey. Exploitation, crime and loneliness have become far too common in every community across our city.

Where we are today

Through our highly focused work in BD4, we inspire and support young people to improve their lives by developing resilience, aspirations and communities where they can thrive. To do this, we create a relational underpinning that supports the other interventions a young person might need. We use highly skilled youth workers, delivering specific programmes in partnerships with churches, schools and other community organisations to create transformational results.

No young person should be prevented from fulfilling their potential because of circumstances or poverty. We believe that all young people should know they are loved and have the resilience to thrive. We are working hard towards this goal.