- Open Mic - call out for poets and musicians Sat 3 October, Ilkley
- Sendiverse events for October Half Term at various libraries.
- Virtual Reality Tour heading to Ilkley, Manningham and Shipley Libraries
- Charlies Woodland Wonders (Market Stall Entrepreneur Talk at Shipley Library Enterprise Hub)
- Mind Map Your Business (Shipley Library Business Hub)
- Art Journaling at Manningham for teenage girls
- Mental Health and Wellbeing support session at Manningham
- Local History Talk, Local Studies, Bradford
- Project exploring relationship between Poverty and Mental Health at City Library
 Curious about our newly refurbished Ilkley Library? Like listening to music and poetry? Come to our afternoon Open Mic and celebration where U3A band Ilkley Tappers will have you jiving from noon til 1pm. This was the band that wowed crowds at Shipley Library last June and we warmly invited them back! We also have poetry from Mohamed Saloo and Joe Williams alongside other artists and performers in an Open Mic session. There will be free refreshments and you will get the chance to view copies of Ted Hughes' original poems and browse round Leonard Baskin prints of the Cave Bird collection. The book of poems and illustrations was gifted to the library in the seventies and we have it ready for you to look at in our newly refurbished library. The event runs 12 noon until 3.30pm, Saturday, October 3. Turn up, have a listen, join in if you like. No pressure, just fun! |
 Families across the Bradford district are invited to discover SENDiVERSE, a programme of free, inclusive events taking place in libraries and community hubs during October half-term. Designed for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), SENDiVERSE offers a welcoming range of creative, sensory and interactive activities, from storytelling and sensory play to poetry, dance, art and music. What's OnStory, Sign and Rhyme Time
Saturday 24 October, 11.15am
Queensbury Library
A fun family session for children aged 0-5 featuring stories, songs, rhymes and Makaton signing. Free drop-in. Sensory Play
Monday 26 October, 10am-11am
Eccleshill Library
A relaxed sensory session with toys, textures and messy play designed to encourage exploration and creativity. Booking required. Email eccleshill at eccleshill.library@bradford.gov.uk. Creative Mosaic Art Workshop
Monday 26 October, 10am-12pm
City Library
Children aged 7+ can create their own mosaic artwork in a supportive and flexible environment. Families and carers are welcome. Booking required. Email city.library@bradford.gov.uk Create Your Own Story
Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October, 1pm-2pm
Thornbury Library
Young writers aged 5-11 can create stories over a single session or return throughout the week to develop their ideas. Zen Colouring
Tuesday 27 October, 10.45am-11.45am
Manningham Library
A calming, sensory-friendly colouring session with relaxing music and a soothing atmosphere. Suitable for all ages. Email Manningham.library@bradford.gov.uk Creative Poetry Workshops with Ash Dickinson
Wednesday 28 October
• 11am-12.30pm, City Library
• 2.30pm-4pm, Shipley Library
Award-winning poet Ash Dickinson leads accessible workshops encouraging creativity, confidence and self-expression for children aged 8+. Booking required. Email city.library@bradford.gov.uk Sensory Story Session: Harry Potter
Wednesday 28 October, 2pm-3pm
Shipley Library
A magical multi-sensory storytelling experience inspired by Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Suitable for ages 6+. Booking required. Email shipley.library@bradford.gov.uk Music and Movement
Thursday 29 October, 2pm-3pm
Heaton Hub
A lively session featuring instruments, ribbons, movement and parachute games. Free drop-in. Dance for Life
Thursday 29 October
• 10am-10.30am, Keighley Library (keighley.library@bradford.gov.uk) • 1.30pm-2pm, Laisterdyke Library (laisterdyke.library@bradford.gov.uk)
A joyful sensory dance experience for under-5s and their families, featuring music, movement and colourful props. Create and Keep Stencil Graffiti Workshop with MOD ONE Graffiti
Thursday 29 October
12pm-1pm, 1pm-2pm or 2pm-3pm
Manningham Library
Children and young people aged 7+ can create and take home their own graffiti-inspired canvas or tote bag using safe, water-based paints. Drop-in. Find Out MoreAll activities are free. Some events require advance booking, while others are drop-in sessions. Selected activities are supported by The Leap. sendiverse 2026 — THE LEAP  STEP into a unique new world in your local library this autumn! For three weeks in October, Bradford Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences. David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Matthew Bourne, Vaughan Williams are among our top pick for YOUR local library. FREE public drop-in sessions at Ilkley Library, (October 5-8) Manningham Library (12-15), Shipley Library (19-22). (times TBC) Amongst the thrilling programme of VR offerings, the experiences on offer will include: - Hold the World with Sir David Attenbrough: Embark on a groundbreaking interactive VR tour of the Natural History Museum in London with the most iconic of guides.
- Wallace & Gromit in the Grand Getaway: Step into the shoes (and paws) of the legendary Aardman duo as they blast-off on a cracking new adventure that will take you from the familiar sights of West Wallaby Street to the strange surroundings of deep space. An interactive treat – all in glorious VR-O-Rama!
- The Philharmonia Virtual Orchestra – The Lark Ascending: Experience a mesmerising 360-degree performance of Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece featuring Nicola Benedetti.
- Monoliths: Explore England’s northern landscape through the voices and spoken word of three women, in this poignant XR experience by Pilot Theatre and One to One Development Trust.
- **New** Doorstep Duets – An absorbing VR180 capture of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures by immersive filmmakers Neon8.
Times to include Ilkley Library Monday October 5, 3pm-7pm Tuesday October 6, 9am -11am and 3pm-5pm Weds October 7, 9am-11am and 3pm-5pm Manningham Library Tuesday 13th 11.45am to 12.45pm as part of the Gents Coffee Morning. Wednesday 14th 3pm to 4.30pm a session for families and young adults. Shipley Library Tuesday October 20th, 2pm-4pm
Wednesday October 21 -9.30am -11am, 2pm -4pm.  He turned his passion for woodworking and sustainability into his own business, Charlie’s Woodland Wonders. The business creates handcrafted wooden products using reclaimed and recycled materials, with a focus on giving unwanted timber a new lease of life. Charlie sells products at markets and events. Along the way, he has competed in the New Market Young Trader competition, winning his local market and going on to win the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Final, earning a place in the National Finals. We have invited Charlie to speak with Young Entrepreneurs, (aged 12+) but if YOU are interested in starting your first market stall, please come along. This event is FREE. We only ask that if you book a ticket, and can't make it, you let us know in advance. We pay our speakers and want them to have a good audience and there is always someone who could pick up your ticket. Tickets available here: https://www.ticketsource.com/bradfordlibraries |
 Are you an artist, maker, crafter, writer, illustrator or creative thinker with dreams of turning your passion into a career or small business? Join local artist Dawn Hindle for an inspiring hands-on workshop exploring creative careers, creative enterprise and self-employment. Through book-making, creative exercises and mind-mapping activities, you'll develop ideas for your future and create a visual plan for your creative journey. This workshop is also a chance to connect with other local creatives, artists and entrepreneurs who are interested in turning their skills, artwork, crafts or ideas into income. Feel free to bring examples of your work and share your story. Ideal for creatives aged 16+ | No experience required | Book tickets here: https://www.ticketsource.com/bradfordlibraries/t-mjrleol Shipley Business Enterprise Hub (at Shipley Library), 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH ·, BD18 3QH Saturday 21st November 2026 1:00PM |
 An Art Journaling Club is starting in Mannigham Library, aimed at girls aged 12-18. 'Her Creative Space' is a club where participants can explore poems, qoutes, words and themes through art, creativity and conversation. There is no artistic experience needed - everyone is welcome and the session will be friendly and relaxed. There will be a free taster session on Weds, Sep 30th, from 4pm until 4.45pm. Telephone 01274 435353 for more information. |
 Support and advice on Mental Health and Wellbeing will be available for all at Manningham Library on October 8th. Whether you are struggling yourself or would like to help a loved one, you are welcome to come along and find out more about the range of mental health and wellbeing organisations there are on your doorstep. The session will run from 10am until 12 noon. There is no need to book, just turn up. |
 Our lunchtime talks at Local Studies, Bradford are increasingly popular. Come along to hear David Copeland's talk about 'Joseph Riley: Industrialist, Founder of the Optical Lantern Co. & father of local author Willie Riley' . Joseph Riley was born in 1838 in Bradford Moor, in what he described as a '"very humble but respectable and Godly home". He experienced child labour and eventually rose from poverty to success in the wool trade. His career veered several times between failure and success. His life was a mixture of business and Methodism and he died in Bradford in 1926. The talk will take place at Local Studies, on October 15 between 11.30am and 12.30. To book, email local.studies@bradford.gov.uk tele 01274 433688 |
 A 'Changing Realities' Community Event, exploring mental health & poverty, will be held at City Library on Thursday 22nd October at 1pm. Come along and listen to the parents & carers of Changing Realities explore mental health and poverty, followed by a workshop and discussion. Please book your place via the link or scan the QR code: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1999691824076?aff=oddtdtcreator The event is free, and open to members of the local community. Food and refreshments will be available. Changing Realities is a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Child Poverty Action Group and over 200 parents and carers living across the UK. Visit our digital zine at: https://mh.changingrealities.org/ : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1999691824076?aff=oddtdtcreator  |
