B.A.B.I.E.S (Borrow a Baby in an Educational Setting) brings together young women and men of a variety of faiths and backgrounds in Bradford to learn the information and skills required to make informed choices about their lives.

The project is run by Prism Youth Project and offers 12 week long courses to girls and boys referred to them by the Bradford Youth Offending Team, local schools, youth workers, parents and health workers. Altogether there are 4 single sex youth groups of male or female sex.

The boys and girls attend one session per week, which cover a range of topics including body image and self-esteem, sexual health, contraception, relationships and parenting skills. At the end of 12 weeks, they attend a 3 days residential where each girl cares for her own 'virtual baby'. The groups are small, approximately 10 participants per course, which allows greater opportunities for dialogue and building strong relationships. The course is aimed at girls from the age of 13 and upwards and is taught by an experienced and competent youth worker.

BCPYP runs a series of projects, which all aim to empower young people to make informed and appropriate choices about all aspects of their lives with a focus on offending reduction. Some of their other projects include Bike Building for Fun and The Triangle project, which works with young people for whom the education system does not work, young offenders and those at high risk of offending. As it is situated in a diverse, multi-racial area of Bradford, an important side effect of all its projects is to increase understanding between young people of different faith communities.

Project type

• Youth groups

Region

• Bradford