A new and exciting scheme that aims to reward and recognise people in Bradford District for volunteering and doing social good in their communities will launch this weekend.

The new Citizen Coin scheme launches on Saturday, 5 December and is supported by Bradford for Everyone.

The scheme will reward residents for doing things to help others by volunteering or getting involved in civic activities to make Bradford a great place for everyone.

Whether you’re an existing volunteer or new to volunteering, join the scheme (via a mobile app) and receive free digital coins to get you started. The coins can then be exchanged for discounts on goods and services at selected stores.  It’s that simple! Those earning coins can also opt to gift their coins to other people and organisations.

This year has been extremely challenging for retail and service sectors alike. Businesses have had to adapt to changing circumstances often at short notice. Citizen Coin Bradford gives local business the opportunity to be part of a scheme that not only compliments their existing business, but adds social and reputational value. This is achieved by building and strengthening new and existing customer relationships.

Businesses that have already signed up to support the pilot scheme include Bread + Roses; Omar Khans; Dubrovnik Hotel; Bubble Chai; Academia-Apparel and Ami Gees Café.

The process is simple once you’re registered with a BradfordCoin account, simply browse the activities offered by our partner organisations and find an activity to suit you. After you sign up and complete the activity, the organisation will reward you in BradfordCoin.

For more information visit https://bradford.citizencoin.uk/ you can see how to sign up and what offers are available.

The new scheme launching in celebration of International Volunteer Day 2020  is a chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities.

A short film launches today, which explains how the scheme works and how people can sign up. The film can been seen from here https://youtu.be/-FuLc5VTw0I

Cllr Abdul Jabar, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said:  “People across our district give up so much of their time to help others and volunteer to make Bradford District a great place to live and work and this is one way which they can be rewarded.  We recognise the value of volunteering and doing social good and have seen this year more than any other how kind and thoughtful the people of our district are and how they can make change for good during this very difficult year.  I hope that people who currently volunteer will look to sign up and people and organisations who are interested in doing social good take a look at this scheme.  I would also encourage local businesses to get involved.”

Kersten England, Bradford Council Chief Executive, said: “This is a chance to say thank you to all the people who do so much good in our district.  Organisations and groups can get involved by rewarding people who make that positive difference to others.  It may also encourage more people to get involved in volunteering and increase the giving and kindness that already exists in our district.  I am also hoping that this scheme will support our retailers and businesses at a difficult time for them by increasing footfall and boosting sales.”

Ikra Shakoor, a volunteer for Bradford for Everyone, said: “As volunteers so many of us give up so much of our time every day to make a positive difference for others in our communities. I think that this exciting scheme is just such a nice gesture, a truly a brilliant way to ‘thank’ people for doing amazing things. It’s also great that people can pass on their coins to others should they wish. Every business in the Bradford District should sign up, there are just so many wins for everyone.”

Farah Khan, from Academia-Apparel said: “This is a fantastic initiative for our District, not only will it help local grassroot businesses with publicity and can help increase footfall but also it gives us a great opportunity to thank all those wonderful people in our communities who do so much to help others.”

Katie Driver, at Bread & Roses said: “We are fully behind this awesome scheme at Bread + Roses, our city of Bradford relies heavily upon the work of volunteers and we are keen to show just how grateful we are. We hope to provide great offers throughout the next year to really help add value to the awesome work that is being done.”

Ned Basic, at Dubrovnik Hotel, said “As winners of the 2017 Bradford Council Community Stars Award for ‘Business Can Make a Difference’ we are very excited to be joining the Citizen Coin Bradford initiative, allowing us to help reward the wonderful volunteers who embody the community spirit of togetherness and helping others here in the Bradford district.”