After a successful first year of grants, the Trailblazer programme has returned to fund more community support with the aim of improving health and wellbeing, and supporting those furthest from the labour market to make meaningful steps towards employment.
The Trailblazer VCSE Inclusion Health Programme is part of West Yorkshire’s Health and Growth Trailblazer initiative, designed to strengthen links between health, wellbeing, and employment through the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. Building on last year’s grants, the focus in year two is to deliver longer and more intensive programmes.
On Wednesday 12 August 2026, 29 organisations who delivered programmes in the first year of Trailblazer and submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) for year two funding were invited to a Participatory Grant Making (PGM) event. The PGM shifts power dynamics in grant making by asking communities to participate in the decision-making. Practically, for Trailblazer year two, this meant that the VCSE organisations bidding for the funding also decided who received it, through weighted scoring on pitches and Q & As delivered at the event.
These grants were different from year one, however. With increasing expectations for delivery, the grants were increased from £15,000 to £48,000, allowing organisations to go beyond general engagement activity. This meant that out of the 29 organisations who all delivered fantastically in year one and put forward bids to continue work in year two, only 11 would receive funding.
Despite the increased competition, the event showcased the connectivity and generosity of the VCSE sector. The VCS Alliance wants to celebrate not only the successful bids, but the 18 organisations who were unsuccessful. Regardless of outcome, colleagues stayed for the whole process, listening and questioning each other’s pitches with curiosity and support. And when awards were announced, they celebrated each other.
The VCS Alliance also remains committed to working with organisations that were not successful this round. The VCSA will continue to build on our relationships, connecting organisations to future opportunities and support, as well as advocating for the value they have brought not only to Trailblazer but to the wider VCSE sector.
The funded projects will support a diverse range of communities across Bradford District, helping people overcome barriers to health, wellbeing and employment through tailored, community-led approaches.
Well done to our successful awardees from Wednesday; the VCSA is excited to work with you in year two to continue supporting a diverse range of communities in Bradford District:
African Caribbean Achievement Project (ACAP), All Star, Bradford LGBTQ+ Strategic Partnership, Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB), BEAP AND BYO (Partnership), The Good Shepherd Centre, The Meridian Centre, Rohingya Association UK (RAUK), The United Arts Project, West Bowling Community Advice and Training Centre, and West Bowling Youth Initiative.
Trailblazer is part of the Healthy Working Life West Yorkshire programme, and is funded by UK government, Bradford Council, and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
