Year of Impact Celebrated as Harpur Trust Reaches 460th Anniversary
As The Harpur Trust reached its 460th birthday, it celebrated its Year of Impact with around 80 guests at the Quarry Theatre and called for greater collaboration to support the community in Bedford.
The new annual event brought together HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada and High Sheriff Camilla King as well as national and local partners, with trustees, governors and staff to celebrate the difference the Trust has made over the last year across the borough.
The celebration on Tuesday (24 March) reflected the Trust’s longstanding commitment to nurturing potential and improving people’s lives – a mission that has guided the charity since 1566 when Sir William Harpur and his wife Dame Alice created an endowment to support education and the local community in Bedford.
Figures released at the event revealed that over the last year The Harpur Trust supported more than 90,000 people across the borough, through community programmes for children and young people, education, bursaries and grants for community groups.
Highlights also explored included:
- Partnerships with 28 primary schools across Bedford to help more children from low-income families reach the expected standard through the £500,000 Accelerator Programme. Five of these schools have now narrowed the attainment gap for three years in a row.
- New programmes created by Bedford Giving (hosted by the Harpur Trust) to support young people with free activities, life skills and mental health, along with a growing career mentoring scheme and work experience projects.
- Nearly £1.2 million given to community groups in grants, improving the lives of more than 60,000 people across Bedford Borough.
- 177 bursaries worth £3 million to help children access the Trust’s outstanding schools, with 49 of these children receiving bursaries covering full fees.
- High quality education for thousands of students at Bedford Girls’ School, Bedford Modern School, Bedford School and Pilgrims Pre-Prep School, and for more than 3,500 children at HEART Academies Trust schools sponsored by The Harpur Trust.
Guests also heard from people who brought the impact of the Trust to life, including Bedford Giving Youth Panel member Olatilewa Alawode, Masooma Sultana who went on to great things after a bursary at Bedford Girls’ School, and Director of Bedford Creative Arts, Elaine Midgley, which the Trust has supported for 20 years.
Harpur Trust Chief Executive, David Steadman, said: “It was so fantastic to hear directly from some of the young people whose lives we have helped change, and to get the chance to say thank you in person to many of those we have collaborated with over the last year.
“It’s quite humbling to think of the many thousands of lives we have touched over the last 460 years. We’ve helped generations of young people lean into challenges they may face and unlock their promise, and the income from Sir William Harpur’s endowment means we can be there for every generation to come.
“In the year ahead we are looking to work with even more local volunteers, businesses and community partners to improve even more lives in Bedford. If anyone can volunteer an hour a month to help Bedford Giving boost a young person’s chances, or can share knowledge or donate funds to support the local community, we want to hear from you!”
Further information about The Harpur Trust’s full impact can be explored on a new dedicated website at www.harpurtrust.org.uk/our-impact.
More information about Bedford Giving and how you can help is at www.bedfordgiving.org.uk