For some time the Harpur Trust has been working on a new initiative aimed at creating a brighter future for Bedford's children and young people and Richard was very pleased to hear the recent news that this collaborative programme, called Bedford Giving, is now live.
Bedford Giving is focusing on 3 key project areas:
- Career mentoring - they are looking for volunteer mentors of all ages for young people at risk of dropping out or underachieving in local schools, to help raise their sights and develop their skills.
- Work experience – Most work experience is heavily dependent on young people finding their own through family contacts. Bedford Giving needs organisations who can offer work experience to young people who lack those networks. Young people who have done work experience are far less likely to become unemployed and can actually earn more in later life.
- Parent Panel - Bedford Giving have brought together local parents of children under 8 to form a panel, to share their knowledge on their and their children’s needs, and make funding decisions on £80,000 of grants so local organisations can help meet those needs. The parents identified mental health support for children and families, support for fathers and for families of children with SEND as the biggest needs to help tackle. They have already funded several charities, and applications have now opened for a second round of grants of £1,000- £5,000. The parent panel wants to encourage smaller community groups, charitable playgroups and unregistered charities to come forward.
Richard Fuller MP said:
As someone born and bred in Bedford I am delighted to see this initiative launch and I hope that any lifelong, or more recently adopted Bedfordians with skills, or simply time to offer, will get in touch and help our next generation have the brightest future possible.
For full details of Bedford Giving's programmes and how you may be able to help, please see the following link: https://bedfordgiving.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3FXMkOiuDJzos1iZTISwsg0rOYxn72bRnJRYsvAFAPmqcNCATLlyqJb3Y
