A HUGELY-successful scheme which is tackling social isolation across the district is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Champions Show the Way has helped transform the lives of thousands of people since it began.

The initiative – spearheaded by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust – sees volunteers run free social groups offering a range of activities including walking, creative writing, singing, cinema trips and coffee mornings.

People catered for include those seeking to develop friendships and take-up new activities, who are struggling with loneliness or are recovering from illness.

In the past year alone, more than 150 ‘community health champions’ have shared their expertise on a variety of topics.

Nearly 2,000 sessions were held, with 1,450 participants.

To celebrate the anniversary, over 100 past and present volunteers and people who have benefited from the venture came together for tea and cake.

Catherine Jowitt, the care trust’s volunteer lead, said: “Champions Show the Way is such a valuable resource for our communities and it’s brilliant to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

“Across our range of activities, we always try to focus on building community links, promoting recovery and wellbeing and preventing social isolation.

“We are so grateful to each and every one of our volunteer champions who give-up their time to make such a positive difference in our communities.”

People who have been helped by the scheme include mum-of-two Rehana Kosar, who struggled with low mood and anxiety after health problems following a kidney transplant.

She joined a walking group.

“I just knew I needed to be around positive people who I could talk to and who would lift my mood,” she said.

“It’s been nearly a year now since I joined the walking group and I’ve built really good friendships.

“We feel like we’re family now.”

People can be referred to Champions Show the Way by their GP, or by calling the trust’s support team on 01274 321911.