More than 300 employees from Bradford-based financial services firm Provident Financial will take part in a week-long transformation of a derelict Bradford recreation ground and surrounding area.

Employees from board of directors to new recruits staff will spend around 2,400 working hours from September 20 to 24 at the city’s Scholemoor estate clearing waste and rubbish, tending shrubbery and undergrowth, putting up fencing and decorating the community centre. Local schools will also be involved by linking the renovation with an environmental studies programme delivered at the community centre.

The challenge, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the region, is in partnership with Business in the Community’s Bradford Cares programme – an employee-volunteering initiative, which helps to line up member businesses with community programmes in the most need of their support.

The estate’s recreation ground was first opened 19 years ago by Sir Bobby Robson and the England football team and was intended as a centre of sporting excellence for the community.

However, in more recent years the facility has fallen into a state of disrepair, and since being closed down, is plagued by vandalism, fly tipping, joyriding and arson attacks.

Local residents led by the Residents Association and Community Association will also be involved in the renovation, which includes clearing and preparing the estate to make it safe and accessible for local residents.

The week-long renovation is a necessary preparation for the longer term development of the estate, for which the Youth Service are trying to secure funding to regenerate the ground as a community retreat with football pitches, basketball courts, and a skate park to provide constructive and enjoyable leisure activities.

Community leaders from the neighbouring Lidget Green area, which has a mainly Asian population, have also offered their support with the project, which is designed to benefit both communities.

Steve Ford, managing director of UK and Ireland Home Credit at Provident, said:

“Staff at our head office in Bradford have enthusiastically volunteered for this project, and Provident has also committed to supporting the scheme in the long-term.

“The voluntary work of Provident colleagues and other partners and residents will help ensure that the estate will again become a safe and pleasant recreational area for the local community and its youth.”

The project has not only attracted substantial support from the city’s strategic partners including Bradford Community Environment Project, Bradford MD Council and Bradford Vision, but local businesses including Butterfield Signs, Bagnalls First Choice, Seabrook, Windsor Foods, Debriar, Catering Supplies (Wakefield) Ltd, Middlebrook Contractors, and David Fieldhouse (electrical services).

Established in 1880, Bradford-based Provident Financial is a leading international provider of financial services. It employs 7,500 people and serves 3.4 million customers throughout the UK, central Europe and Mexico through its home-collected credit, motor insurance and car finance operations.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information please contact:
Joanna Barker
Provident Financial
01274 731111 ext. 2535
joanna.barker@providentfinancial.com

Kathryn Jones (Bradford Cares Business Co-ordinator)
Business in the Community 
0113 205 8200
kathryn.jones@bitc.org.uk

Anthony Waddington (Bradford Business Broker)
Bradford Vision
01274 435482/ 07739 548583
anthony.waddington@bradfordvision.com

Matthew Milnes (Scholemoor Residents Association & Youth Worker), who can line up interviews with residents
01274 522231
mat_scholemoor@yahoo.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of 700 member companies. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society. 
Together, our member companies employ over 15.7 million people across 200 countries. In the UK, our members employ over 1 in 5 of the private sector workforce.

Membership of Business in the Community is a commitment to action and to the continual improvement of the company’s impact on society. Our members commit to:

  • Integrate responsible business practice throughout their business
  • Impact through collaborative action to tackle disadvantage
  • Inspire, innovate and lead by sharing learning and experience

Further information about Business in the Community can be found at the websitewww.bitc.org.uk

‘Cares’ is the Business in the Community initiative aiming to change the face of volunteering across the UK. It has adopted a new approach linking the private sector, community organisations, the public and government to participate in effective community action.

  • Established in 23 locations, plus those under development
  • Over 350 businesses engaged
  • 34,927 volunteers active over the last twelve months
  • Over 100,000 hours given to the community in twelve months
  • Over 300 community organisations have participated

ENDS