Bradford has been hailed as the youngest city in the UK and with 25% of West Yorkshire’s population being under 20 years of age, there is a great need for tailored educational and cultural initiatives. Bradford Literature Festival addresses this by nurturing the next generation’s love for words and creativity.
Our journey with children and young people is at the very heart of the festival. We recognise the profound impact that literature and culture can have on young minds, which is why we created a comprehensive Children & Young People Programme (CYP) that includes Early Years, Family Fun Days, and our Primary & Secondary Education Programme.
This year our Children & Young People Programme made up 41% of BLF’s programme. A total of 278 events and 100 year-round events engaged a staggering 63,350 children and young people, teachers, and caregivers.
20 December 2023
Children & Young People
Estimated Read Time: 3 minutes 14 seconds
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Early Years
BLF’s Early Years Programme provides parents with the tools to create engaging, literacy-rich home environments, giving them confidence to build a relationship with stories, books, and music.
From Baby Raves designed to stimulate their senses and encourage their growth to teaching parents valuable baby first aid techniques and communicating with their babies through sign language, early years are fundamental to our programme.
“My daughter had the best time at the baby rave. She got to play and dance freely and the staff were just amazing. We will definitely be coming again.” Festival Visitor.
Family Fun Days
Our themed Family Fun Days in City Park are designed to engage entire families in cultural activities. These events feature interactive performances and craft workshops, accessible to all by being free, un-ticketed, and drop-in.
Children were able to design their own superhero wrist cuffs, get their face painted or watch stage performances by the brilliant Wrongsemble theatre company with live music, wonderful characters and puppetry. City Park was also home to the Bradford Stories Bus where children could enjoy messy play, storytelling and
“We have never ever had the children’s faces painted because we couldn’t afford it. I can’t believe this is all free.” Festival Visitor.
Education Programme
BLF’s Education Programme, offered free to schools across Yorkshire, is our proactive approach to bridging educational gaps among disadvantaged children and young people. In 2023, we reached 42,872 children and teachers, representing 68% of our Children & Young People Programme audiences.
At the centre of the Education Programme are themed education days that cover a wide range of topics, from Superheroes to Shakespeare, and from Hitler to Tutankhamun. Designed to complement the curriculum, the themed days include workshops, live shows and performances by local, national and international authors, artists, activists, poets and experts.
“This festival is essential for our school. We need to develop leadership, cultural capital and inspire learners who would otherwise miss out on a wealth of amazing experiences.” Student.
BLF’s commitment to an inclusive curriculum is more important than ever. Our programme addresses subjects often overlooked in mainstream education, such as Kashmir Uncovered and the Rise and Fall of the Ottoman Empire.
More than just academic exercises, these sessions provide students with an understanding of their own history, identity and self-worth. By immersing them in topics related to their heritage and global context, the programme exposes students to new aspirations and diverse perspectives.
“I loved learning facts about Kashmir. It was interesting because it’s different to what we do at school. I really learned lots about my history – my dad is from Mirpur!” Student.
Free Tickets for Students and Teachers
Teachers across Yorkshire received free tickets to BLF events, empowering young audiences and educators with fresh ideas. This initiative was accessed by nearly 2,200 students and 200 teachers.
In our journey with young people, we demonstrate that their stories matter. We introduce them to creative careers through relatable role models, raise aspirations, and develop vital skills. BLF ignites curiosity, fosters creativity, and instils a lifelong love for literature.
