## **Bradford Hindu Council** ## **Annual Trustees’ Report 2024/25** The Bradford Hindu Council (BHC) has continued to strengthen its role as a unifying and representative body for the Hindu community in Bradford and the wider region. This year has been marked by significant progress in community engagement, interfaith collaboration, cultural development, and organisational governance. Our achievements reflect the collective efforts of our Trustees, Management Team, member organisations, volunteers, and the wider community. BHC is not defined solely by its leadership; it is the shared responsibility and contribution of every individual and organisation connected to us. During 2024/25, BHC formalised and expanded its Management Team, welcoming new members including a Treasurer, Business Advisor, and IT/Data Webmaster. This strengthened structure has improved operational capacity and enhanced our ability to deliver community-focused initiatives. Key governance developments include: - Adoption of a revised Safeguarding Policy, approved by the Trustees. - Implementation of Microsoft 365 accounts for all Management Team members, enabling collaborative working through Teams, Outlook, Office, and OneDrive. - Discontinuation of Zoom in favour of a unified digital communication platform. These steps ensure BHC continues to meet Charity Commission expectations and follows best practice in governance and compliance. ## **Key Achievements** BHC has delivered and supported a wide range of events that celebrate culture, promote unity, and strengthen community bonds. Highlights include: - **108 Hanuman Chalisa Event** – Bringing together singing groups from Bradford and beyond in a powerful display of devotion and unity. - **Inaugural Interfaith Cricket Match** – Strengthening relationships across faith communities through sport. 1 - **International Day of Yoga** – Promoting health, wellbeing, and cultural awareness. - **Harmony Festival (Year 2)** – A highly successful cultural showcase featuring diverse Indian heritage, delivered to a professional standard through dedicated volunteers. Our partnerships with local and regional institutions have deepened significantly. Notable developments include: - Representation on the **Race Equality Network (REN)** , with BHC now holding the position of Vice-Chair. - Active involvement in **Bradford City of Culture 2025** , securing funding for cultural projects that highlight Hindu heritage. - Recognition as an **Active Faith Setting** at the Bradford Sports Awards 2025, acknowledging our commitment to promoting sport and wellbeing. BHC’s digital presence has expanded, with our website and social media platforms becoming central hubs for community information, festival awareness, and event promotion. The Faith Team has ensured comprehensive coverage of major Hindu festivals, as well as key celebrations from Sikh, Islamic, Jain, and Christian communities. BHC plan to deliver **nine-week tabla and harmonium programme** , covering instrument sourcing, teacher coordination, promotion, and student engagement. Additional harmonium instruction is planned to be provided directly by BHC. We continue to: - Promote unity and shared values across Hindu organisations and the wider community. - Represent BHC on the **Bradford SACRE Board** , influencing how religious education is taught in schools. - Support **Hindu Education Yorkshire** , assisting schools with enquiries on Hindu Dharma and festival celebrations. - Act as a first point of contact for schools seeking Hindu input, signposting to subject experts where appropriate. The BHC Faith Team has ensured: - Accurate and meaningful festival information is shared across digital platforms. - Hindu representation at civic events, including the Remembrance Day ceremony. - Collaboration with Bradford Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, West Yorkshire Police, and the Lord Mayor to celebrate Raksha Bandhan and express gratitude to frontline services. BHC has delivered and supported several impactful initiatives: - **Dementia Memory Walk** – Raising awareness and supporting families affected by dementia. 2 - **Blood Donation Drives** – Encouraging life-saving contributions from the community. - **Bradford Curry Project (monthly)** and **Homeless Hampers (weekly)** – Providing food and essential items to vulnerable individuals. - **Easter Egg Appeal (with WYHPA)** – Our largest appeal to date, collecting a record 1,200 Easter eggs. - **Raksha Bandhan Events (with WYHPA)** – Strengthening interfaith and community relationships. - **Navratri Celebrations (Leeds & Bradford)** – Supporting vibrant, inclusive celebrations across the region. BHC has contributed to wider regional and national initiatives, including: - **Ashes Scattering Sites (with WYHPA and LCC)** – Leading on the development of dignified spaces for last rites, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. - **Hindu Foods on NHS Menus** – Working with NHS partners to improve dietary inclusivity. - **Roundtable Meetings with the West Yorkshire Mayor and Deputy Mayor** Facilitating first-of-its-kind engagement between Hindu communities and regional leadership. - **Interfaith Week Faith Trail** – Supporting visits to diverse places of worship across Leeds. With Bradford’s City of Culture year, BHC must plan for long-term sustainability. Securing new funding streams and building strategic partnerships will be essential to maintaining our cultural and community programmes. A key priority is to involve more young people in leadership, volunteering, and cultural activities. Their participation is vital to the future of BHC and the wider Hindu community. As our activities expand, so does the demand on our volunteers and organisational resources. BHC will focus on: - Enhancing internal structures - Supporting member organisations - Addressing challenges faced by Hindu community groups - Building resilience and capacity across the network The year 2024/25 has been one of growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact for the Bradford Hindu Council. Our achievements reflect the dedication of our Trustees, Management Team, volunteers, partner organisations, and the wider community. Together, we continue to uphold our values, strengthen our cultural identity, and contribute positively to Bradford and the region. A continued focus on unity, youth engagement, and sustainable development will ensure BHC remains a strong and influential voice for years to come. 3