We’re a group of passionate businesses, charities and other partners, who have come together to help create a brighter future for our next generation in Bedford. Bedford Giving has been born out of research with local people and the needs of young people were identified as the biggest concern with more than half of comments from young people expressing a desire for vocational support, including opportunities for work, apprenticeships, and work placements. We’re kickstarting a range of transformational projects to address these needs and help support young people who might otherwise slips through the cracks and end up not in education, employment, or training. And we need your help to keep them running.  * We are working with a local social enterprise to deliver a career mentoring scheme for year 9 and 10 students. The programme will recruit, train and support early career mentors from the local business community to work with students. * We’re working with various agencies to promote and increase local opportunities for young people to gain experience in the workplace by engaging and supporting local businesses to increase the supply. * We’ve brought a group of local parents from across Bedford together to form a Residents’ Panel. They’ve told us loud and clear about gaps in services and opportunities for children under 8 and their parents. They are running a grants programme, all about meeting those gaps.