Bedford Borough Council

Become a mentor and help change a young person's life! You'll get so much out of it too in terms of career development and learning new skills, it's a win win! We are looking for 90 volunteer career mentors to start in September to give just one hour a month to supporting a young person, visit https://lnkd.in/ehurReQq to find out more! #GiveGetGrow #Mentor #Mentoring #TransformingLives #Bedford #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipSkills

Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people in Bedford Borough. The Bedford Borough Safeguarding Children Partnership seeks an Independent Scrutineer to provide critical oversight and ensure the effectiveness of safeguarding practices. Key responsibilities include chairing relevant groups and ensuring the voice of children and families is central to the scrutiny process. To apply, please submit CV and cover letter to [email protected]. View the full job description and apply here - https://lnkd.in/dscisHxb

It’s Love Parks Week from today, 26 July, to Sunday 4 August and we’re celebrating all things parks! Throughout the week, we’ll be focusing on Bedford Borough's fabulous parks, starting with those with Green Flag Awards. Addison Howard Park, Bedford Park, Harrold-Odell Country Park and Priory Country Park have all retained their Green Flag status for 2024, benchmarking them as well-managed parks and green spaces. Three of our sites, Hill Rise Nature Reserve, Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort have also retained their Community Green Flag Awards thanks to our amazing volunteers at Friends of Hill Rise Nature Reserve and Friends of Putnoe Wood and Mowsbury Hillfort who manage these sites with our support. Learn more about our parks and open spaces by heading to our comments. #LoveParksWeek

Bedford Borough Council is encouraging applications for two exciting new grant schemes funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). These grants aim to empower rural communities by supporting impactful volunteering projects and creating or improving local green spaces. "We're delighted to launch these REPF grants," says Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio holder for Economic Growth, Planning, and Prosperity at Bedford Borough Council. "These grants offer a fantastic opportunity for rural communities to access funding for projects that will make a real difference.  “Whether it's establishing a community garden, renovating a community centre, or developing a new volunteering initiative, we encourage all eligible organisations to apply." There are two grant streams available: 🤝 Impactful volunteering and social action projects:  This grant supports initiatives that strengthen social connections and build a sense of community spirit. Examples include purchasing equipment for local volunteer groups, improving facilities for community events, or launching new social action projects. 🌳 Creation of and improvements to local rural green spaces:  This grant aims to enhance the natural environment and create inviting public spaces for residents to enjoy. Examples include establishing community gardens, improving existing green spaces, greening of streets and paths, or incorporating natural features into public areas. Find out more on our website by searching 'Rural England Prosperity Fund' #REPF #grants #funding #GreenSpace

We joined Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service with other partners today to mark World Drowning Prevention Day with crucial training sessions in Bedford near Riverside Square. Their specially trained firefighters helped us grow our knowledge about water safety, cold water immersion, and hypothermia as well as how to access and use the throw lines located alongside the river. We'll add a video in the comments so that you can also learn how to use a throw line and potentially save someone's life.

Bedford Borough Council is proud to announce the signing of the official contract for Wixams Station, marking a significant milestone for the community. The new station, located at Wixams, has been a highly anticipated development. Mayor Tom Wootton, Elected Mayor of Bedford Borough, expressed his excitement stating; "People have been waiting for decades for this. People have bought houses, homes for their families, on the promise of a new station, and it’s only our determination which has made it happen.” Wixams Station has always been an important part of the plans for Wixams. The provision of a new railway station with regular services to London and Bedford and connections to stations to the north was an integral part of the original masterplan for this significant, integrated garden village development. You can read more in the comments below. #Wixams #Railway #BedfordBorough

🌟 Inclusion at Bedford River Festival 🌟 Last weekend was the incredible Bedford River Festival! With over 300,000 attendees, it's the second biggest free festival in the UK and a source of pride for many Bedfordians. 🇬🇧✨ However, back in 2019, as the new SEND Programme Manager, I learned that many parent carers avoided the festival because it felt inaccessible and overwhelming. They felt "it wasn't for us." Working closely with our parent carer Forum and the organizing committee, we made significant changes. The festival now features a dedicated "SEND hour," hidden disabilities training for all stall holders, and co-produced blue badge parking. 🅿️🧩 This year marked the second year of our dedicated "Inclusion Island," a space with soft play, a bouncy castle, and room for families to relax and re-regulate if needed. Staffed by colleagues from the SEND sector, it offered opportunities for parents and carers to engage, interact, and receive advice. It also allowed officers to hear direct lived experiences and build relationships. 🤝🎈 Over the 2 days, more than 1000 children visited our SEND island, with many families returning for both days. The feedback was so overwhelmingly positive! 🌈💬 I love the opportunities to be part of these events and to see how that conversation 5 years ago has led to the meaningful change in such a large event. #Inclusion #BedfordRiverFestival #SEND #Community #Accessibility #coproduction Bedford Borough Council Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum Laura Church

Shared Lives offers the chance to make new friends, invite new people into your family, and experience a whole new perspective on life! Bedford Borough Council’s Emma Bradley and her husband Phil first became Shared Lives carers five years ago, sharing their home and family life with adults who have learning disabilities. She explained why she loves being a Shared Lives carer. “I had never heard of Shared Lives, until I came across it when working for the Council,” she said. “Then a role came up as a Shared Lives Officer, which I applied for, and was appointed to. As part of that I was going out on placements, monitoring them, and seeing these lovely people who welcomed others into their families and homes. “They made these adults part of their own families, and it made me realise – I could do it too.” Find out more at https://lnkd.in/ezqxza92

An art exhibition funded by The Harpur Trust, featuring more than 100 pieces of artwork created by pupils from 40 schools across the borough, has opened at The Higgins Bedford and it will run throughout the summer. Students, their families, teachers, judges, artists and those who work in education and the arts attended the opening ceremony and awards evening. Deputy Lord Lieutenant Julian Polhill, Bedford Mayor Tom Wootton in his civic role, CEO of Youth TV Bedfordshire Urban Judge and Tom Perrett, Manager for Culture and Heritage at Bedford Borough Council, presented awards to 20 pupils who received certificates and prizes, in the five different age categories of the competition. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eDVYGeEt

Join us to discuss Midland Road! Exciting improvements are coming this summer! Public realm works will enhance the area by repaving the road, upgrading street furniture, and decluttering to improve public space and pedestrian access. Additionally, our shopfront regeneration scheme will offer financial support to over half the businesses on Midland Road. Don't miss our next Town Deal information stall events to find out more on: ☑ 24 July from 11am-1pm, meeting near B&M, in the pedestrian zone                                           ☑ 1 August from 2-4pm, meeting at 117 Midland Road from 2-4pm. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eGDMY63z. #MidlandRoad #TownDeal #Bedford Eva Schweitzer Eleanor Karklas