Social enterprise that aims to provide lifeline for local women

She’s the chief executive of Action for Business (ABL), a social enterprise that manages the Carlisle Business Centre in the Manningham district, which was the scene of rioting in 2001.

This summer, while riots erupted in other British cities, the streets of Manningham were quiet; a sign that the community has moved on.

The business centre is based inside a former mill which used to be surrounded by burned out cars. In 2001, when rioters caused mayhem in the neighbouring streets, the centre was left undisturbed. All the small businesses inside held their nerve and stayed put.

“The Bradford riots were politically motivated,’’ said Ms Pupius, who also praised the tough response from the courts following the 2001 disturbances.

“Members of the community felt they were being unfairly treated. The city has worked hard in the last 10 years to combat this, with local government, the communities, police and business working together.”

Ms Pupius said the city’s calm reaction to an English Defence League march last year was a strong indication that this collaborative approach was working.

“Things are by no means perfect,’’ she said.

“The population of Manningham is still very disadvantaged, in terms of income, employment, educational attainment and health. But we have come a long way.”

The financial crisis, however, has taken its toll. ABL’s turnover, which is largely derived from renting out space in the centre, fell by 25 per cent this year to around £800,000. Eighty two per cent of the centre is occupied, and on a typical day, 300 people will work on the site.

ABL was set up in the shadow of an earlier disturbance, the riots of 1995. Today, ABL’s mission is unchanged – to support economic development and social cohesion by using the profits generated in the business centre to fund initiatives that help the community.

These include initiatives to improve the health and well-being of local women, and help them take the first steps on the career ladder.

“We need to make bigger profits to help combat the loss of public sector contracts. Government cuts have meant many interventions have been axed – enterprise, health and employability (initiatives) are particularly affected,’’ said Ms Pupius.

Seventy per cent of Manningham people are from BME (black and ethnic minority) backgrounds. Many women need help improving their English.

“Our community team runs all sorts of programmes that are educational, informative and fun,’’ said Ms Pupius.

“It might start off with sewing or craft work, and progress to IT. All the programmes will include some stuff on food and nutrition and healthy lifestyles, bits on family finances and maybe even CV writing and preparation for employment.

“Many women progress to further education or training, and some go into jobs or volunteering or simply to a more fulfilling family life.”

ABL is also behind the Doulas scheme, which is derived from the Greek word meaning “wise woman”.

“Infant mortality in Bradford is a huge concern,’’ said Ms Pupius.

“Of the 8,000 or so babies born in the district each year, between 60 and 70 will die before their first birthday.

“That’s considerably more than in any other British city. The inner city wards like Manningham and Great Horton are among the worst.

“One of the reasons is the low take-up of mainstream medical care by BME women, and a lack of understanding of the options open to them.”

The Doulas project is run by volunteers who undergo a 10-week training programme. They support the mothers-to-be with advice on nutrition and encourage them to access mainstream ante natal care.

Ms Pupius said: “Mums are less isolated so there is a reduced risk of post natal depression; babies are healthier.

“We have trained one cohort of volunteers who are being matched with mums.

“It’s going to be a little while before we have enough evidence to prove the scheme’s worth. At the moment we are funding it from within our own resources, and trying to access grants and charitable donations to ensure its continuity.”

A centre of attention

The Carlisle Business Centre was founded in 1996 by community organisation Action for Business (ABL) and Bradford Council. In 2003, ABL – under its former chief executive Gurdev Dahele – broke free from council control, buying the building with a £300,000 Government grant and £275,000 loan from Barclays.

Around 60 small businesses and community groups are based there. Last year, it made a profit of £70,000 and it is also developing modern conference facilities in order to attract more income and more users.