YOUNGSTERS in Bradford are being given the chance to help their communities through a new social venture programme. Shipley-based community development charity, Participate Projects, is launching the programme, called The Venturists, which will educate, empower and encourage primary school pupils to improve their local area for the better. A pilot scheme, involving The Academy at St James in Chellwood Drive, Allerton, has seen children making hedgehog and bird houses, creating a nature garden to encourage wildlife into the local area, helping the homeless and developing an upcycled play area to enhance their wellbeing and exercise. The new programme will work with children aged 9-11 to identify real issues within the community and give them the chance to start viable social action projects, that make positive changes to their locality.