Creative Lives worked with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture to support and map community creativity in Bradford.

As part of the UK City of Culture celebrations, Bradford 2025 and Creative Lives launched a programme of £400 ‘Do Your Thing’ micro-grants. 

The initiative was designed to harness Bradford's vibrant and diverse grassroots creativity. By funding locally-led projects, the programme enabled groups to do something special in 2025, welcome new members, engage their communities, and take part in the City of Culture year.

In total, 52 creative groups received funding, representing a rich cross-section of Bradford’s communities. Projects ranged from bell ringing to Ukrainian dance, an art vending machine to an art project creating peace doves. The fund prioritised informal, volunteer-led, creative community groups and projects that were welcoming, accessible, and rooted in local identity.

This report draws on feedback provided by funded groups via the ‘Do Your Thing’ feedback form, alongside contextual information about the programme, to explore the impact, learning and legacy of the awards.

Read the Bradford 2025 'Do Your Thing' Awards report here