The Harpur Trust

22/06/2026

Our thoughts at The Harpur Trust are with everyone affected by Friday’s train collision near Bedford.

An incident like this touches many people across our community and we would like to praise the emergency services for their swift and dedicated response.

20/06/2026

As part of World Refugee Day, we’re proud to highlight the impact of our grant funding in supporting refugees and asylum seekers across Bedfordshire.

We’re delighted to support Bedfordshire Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support, an organisation providing vital support, hope, and opportunities for those seeking refuge in the county.

Through their work, individuals and families are empowered to overcome poverty and disadvantage, feel welcomed and included, gain new knowledge and skills, and take steps towards independence and a brighter future.

Funding from The Harpur Trust plays an important role in enabling charities like BRASS to continue delivering this essential support, helping people rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

19/06/2026

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We’re helping families with children moving from primary to secondary school by offering a £65 school uniform grant for pupils who qualify for free school meals.

- A £65 voucher will be issued through the secondary school your child will be joining
- The voucher can be used towards any uniform items required by the school, and each school will provide instructions on how to use it.
- Please contact the school directly to arrange receiving your voucher.

This support aims to ease the move to secondary school and ensure every child starts feeling ready and confident.

Get in touch with your child’s new school for more information.

18/06/2026

We’re excited to be getting ready for The Harpur Trust Children’s Art Competition Exhibition, opening this weekend at The Higgins Bedford!

This year, we received around 400 entries from talented pupils across local primary schools, secondary schools and colleges. From these, 118 incredible pieces have been selected, created by young people aged 4–18 from 40 schools across the borough.

Each artwork responds to a powerful question:
“What are your hopes, dreams, aspirations and ambitions?”

The exhibition, themed Aspire: Nurturing Potential, reflects our mission to support and improve the lives of the people in the Bedford community, something we’ve been proud to do for over 400 years.

With support from 14 professional artists, pupils brought their ideas to life through workshops and creative sessions, showcasing the imagination, talent and potential in every young person.

The exhibition runs until 4 October, at the Higgins Bedford.

We’d love you to come along and take a look!

To find out more visit www.harpur-art-competition.org.uk

17/06/2026

This week, we’re proud to celebrate two of our incredible grantees who are making a real difference for people with learning disabilities in our community.

BOLD - Bedfordshire Opportunities for Learning Disabilities - Charity provides a dedicated day service for adults, helping people build confidence, develop their unique abilities, and find a true sense of purpose in a supportive environment.

We’re also shining a spotlight on Youth Inspired, a community organisation that enables people with learning difficulties, disabilities, autism, or mental health conditions to learn, grow, and achieve through training and support. Their work focuses on young people aged 16–25, while also offering opportunities for older adults.

At The Harpur Trust, we’re proud to support initiatives that champion inclusion, empower individuals, and help people reach their full potential.

16/06/2026

We’re hiring!

We’re looking for a proactive, organised problem solver to join The Harpur Trust and play a key role at the heart of our operations.

From driving improvements to supporting compliance and collaborating across teams, this role is all about making a real impact where it matters most.

If you thrive on variety, coordination, and creating meaningful change, this could be the job for you!

Apply now at www.harpurtrust.org.uk/work-for-us

15/06/2026

One of our partner organisations, CVS Bedfordshire, is recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation into its next chapter. We work closely with CVS Bedfordshire, which provides vital support to local non-profits through advice, training, and facilities. They play a key role in building partnerships, connecting organisations with funding opportunities, and promoting volunteering across our community.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in Bedford and beyond.

Find out more about the role at www.cvsbeds.org.uk/jobs

📣WE'RE HIRING📣

We are seeking an ambitious and values-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation forward.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will shape strategy, influence local systems, and ensure strong, sustainable support for communities across Bedfordshire.

https://www.cvsbeds.org.uk/jobs

09/06/2026

We were pleased to organise for former Harpur Trust Business Apprentice Mollie Bozward to speak to Year 10 students at Wixams Academy about her career journey and the power of apprenticeships.

Mollie shared how she chose an alternative path to university, completing an apprenticeship where she gained real-world experience, while earning a salary and building her confidence in the workplace. She spoke candidly about the application process and her experience of her first ever job interview, offering valuable insight into what employers look for and how to stand out.

Now, at just 25, Mollie has progressed to become Admissions Manager at Bedford Modern School, crediting her apprenticeship as a key factor in her success.

Her assembly talk came a week after former minister Alan Milburn published his review which highlighted the risk of rising numbers of young people becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). It reinforced just how important opportunities like apprenticeships are in shaping positive futures.

At The Harpur Trust, we are proud to support young people through our growing apprenticeship programmes, now offering opportunities in finance, payroll, and education within our Trust Office.

A huge thank you to Mollie for sharing her journey and inspiring the next generation to explore all pathways to success.

08/06/2026

On this Global Day of Parents, we’re proud to highlight The Brilliant Club's Bedford Parent Power project. Which we are helping to grant fund.

We’re delighted to share that recruitment for the Community Organiser role has now closed. Thank you to everyone who showed interest in supporting this important work.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to see this project develop over the summer, with plans to launch in the next academic year. Parent Power is all about empowering families, amplifying their voices, and helping them become champions for their child’s educational journey.

Today is a perfect moment to recognise the impact of parents and carers everywhere, and initiatives like this show just how powerful that impact can be when communities come together.

We can’t wait to see Bedford Parent Power get underway.

06/06/2026

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We’re supporting families as their children transition from primary to secondary school with a £65 school uniform grant for students eligible for free school meals.

- A £65 voucher will be provided by the secondary school your child will attend.
- The voucher can be used towards any uniform items specified by the school, and each school will share details on how to redeem it.
- Please get in touch with the school directly to arrange access to your voucher.

This support is designed to make the transition easier and help every child begin secondary school feeling prepared and confident.
Contact your child’s new school to learn more.