A group of Bedford College students have taken on real decision-making power – allocating £90,000 in funding to projects supporting young people’s mental health across Bedford, thanks to a pioneering partnership with Bedford Giving.
Bedford Giving is a collaborative initiative bringing together funders, organisations, businesses and residents to improve the lives of children and young people in Bedford. As a new coalition partner, The Bedford College Group helped to establish a Youth Panel, enabling students to decide how local funding should be spent based on their own lived experiences and insights.
Paul Kellett from Bedford Giving said: “The Youth Panel gave young people a real opportunity to influence change in their community. The students weren’t just consulted – they were trusted to lead. They gained valuable employability skills, built confidence, and contributed to something meaningful that will have a lasting impact.”
The students awarded grants to six projects providing tailored mental health and wellbeing support for local young people:
- Embrace (Bedford & District): Employing a Care Facilitator to help young people with complex disabilities and health needs take part in social activities.
- Fun 4 Young People (F4YP): Delivering six-week early intervention programmes combining one-to-one and small group sessions with therapeutic support.
- Boxing Saves Lives: Offering safe, accessible boxing sessions across Bedford to build confidence and resilience.
- Link to Change: Hosting free, fortnightly “Wellbeing Walk-Ins” offering therapeutic activities and emotional support.
- Bedfordshire Open Door: Enabling young people to plan and deliver a mental health awareness event, supported by counselling and drop-in sessions.
- Faith in Queens Park: Running a Youth Empowerment Programme combining sports, leadership, and employability training.
Olatilewa, a T-Level Business student, reflected on the experience: “The Youth Panel was all about young people making real decisions with real impact. We weren’t just heard, we were part of the solution. It showed me that business and leadership are about people, purpose, and empathy.”
Yiannis Koursis OBE, CEO of The Bedford College Group, said: “Our partnership with Bedford Giving provides a fantastic opportunity to involve our students directly in meaningful projects that benefit the borough, while also helping them develop skills, confidence, and a sense of civic responsibility. Together, we are building a stronger Bedford where every young person has the chance to thrive.”
This initiative embodies The Bedford College Group’s strategic commitment to Educational and Community Leadership, empowering students to take active roles in shaping their community and developing the skills needed for lifelong success.
Bedford Giving’s other projects alongside The Bedford College Group:
- Young Voices Conference – The second annual Young Voices Conference, held on 21 October 2025, brought together businesses, charities, educators, and community leaders in Bedford to hear directly from young people about the challenges they face and to collaborate on creating solutions for a better future. This event aligns with Bedford Giving’s mission to serve as a platform for youth voices and empower young people to shape the future of their borough. Attendees took part in workshops to develop real actions and 94% of attendees pledged their support to drive positive change. Moving forward, Bedford Giving is committed to turning these conversations into action. Bedford Giving is a local initiative hosted by registered charity The Harpur Trust, dedicated to supporting children and young people in the area.
- The Pink Link – On Friday 10 October, several landmarks in Bedford, including the Tower at the Cauldwell Street campus, were illuminated in pink lights for the “Paint the Town Pink” campaign by Bedford Giving, aimed at raising awareness for young people’s mental health on World Mental Health Day. The initiative featured seven notable buildings and included the Pink Link project, which offers online resources for parents and professionals regarding youth wellbeing. Local families took part in a “Pink Link Trail,” visiting landmarks and sharing their photos on social media. The campaign also had a competition to promote discussions about mental health.
- Bedford Running Festival – In September, seventeen members of staff from The Bedford College Group participated in the Bedford Running Festival, completing 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon races to support Bedford Giving. Their efforts raised £1,211.20 for the community initiative, which empowers young people across Bedford Borough through mentoring, mental health support, life skills training, and youth-led funding panels. CEO Yiannis Koursis OBE, alongside colleagues, presented the cheque to Bedford Giving CEO Paul Kellet, who praised the team’s commitment.
To find out more about Bedford Giving and the work that they do, visit Home – Bedford Giving.
