Johnny and Rose Bamfords 19 year old Daughter Pearl died last year and having supported her through her struggles they came to see how little there was in the “Rural Idyll” of North Cornwall to give hope and direction for their generation.

Pearls death highlighted to them the need for an inspiring place where young adults and the wider community in North Cornwall can meet, share and support each other. A nurturing and dynamic place to be creative, develop interests, talents and confidence. They want the The Pearl Exchange to be all this and more, helping to build connections with the young people and Inspirational figures in the Arts and Creative World. Giving hope for a more positive fulfilling future. Their plan is to run a pilot project in Bude to test run ideas and also enable, through to proving the need, to get more support and funding for a permanent project.

With the money they raise through this first stage of fundraising they want to build a creative community hub where ideas knowledge and skills are exchanged and shared, empowering and helping through mentoring and nurturing young people into meaningful occupations and interests . Finding ways to enrich their lives through creativity and re engaging young people back into the community from their ever increasing isolated lives led on social media.

There has been huge support and interest in the Pearl Exchange. Incredible creative people have already expressed that they want be part of the project once it is up and running and many members of the community have seen the need and want to get involved in helping to make The Pearl Exchange Happen.

(The Pearl Exchange is now a registered CIC with Company House)