Bedford Borough Council

REMINDER! Our Play & Learn Toddler sessions run at Lakeview Village Hall on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month (term time only). These sessions are for mobile toddlers, giving them the opportunity to stretch their imagination and develop the skills they need as they leave the toddler age and become pre-schoolers. Learn more about how to support your child’s learning at home through weekly activities and resources to take with you. Younger siblings are welcome. - Lakeview Village Hall, Brooklands Avenue, Wixams MK42 6AB - 9.30 - 11am We kindly ask for a £1 donation per family towards hall hire.

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week and our Local Offer team was in the Harpur Centre. You can find out more about the Local Offer at https://lnkd.in/e5BS3MDr

Join a community tree planting session; it’s great fun and really rewarding. Register your interest and find out more by emailing volunteering@bedford.gov.uk

Bedford’s business community came together in force at the Harpur Suite for a well-attended event focused on collaboration and town centre regeneration earlier this week. Hosted by Bedford Borough Council, the evening brought together local business owners, key council teams, councillors, and the Community Policing Team to discuss the future of the town centre. Attendees heard presentations on upcoming developments before engaging in a Q&A session, where they exchanged ideas and explored opportunities for growth. Information stalls provided direct access to council representatives, offering valuable resources and fostering meaningful discussions. To find out more about these events, please subscribe to our emails: https://lnkd.in/e88Gmpx3

We are inviting local businesses to an event focused on supporting inclusive employment opportunities for young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The event will take place on Wednesday 26 March, 2025, 9am-12pm at Kings House, Ampthill Road, Bedford, with a free networking lunch served from 12-1pm. This event aims to raise awareness of inclusive employment practices and to promote the Council's Supported Internship Programme, run in partnership with Bedford College, DFN Project Search, and Mencap. The programme supports young people aged 17-25 with SEND to develop skills, learn about careers, and gain employment. The event also provides an opportunity to meet and talk to employers already involved in the programme, as well as current interns, network with other local businesses and organisations, and find out how Access to Work funding can support employers and staff. Attendees can ask questions, share feedback, and enjoy a complimentary lunch and refreshments. Local businesses can play a vital role in supporting the Supported Internship Programme by offering placements for interns, providing valuable advice and guidance on job applications, and sharing expertise on interviewing skills. These contributions not only enhance the skills and confidence of young people with SEND but also bring numerous benefits to employers. Supported internships increase the number of high-quality applicants, create a reliable workforce that reflects the diverse range of customers and the community, and bring additional skills to the business. They also allow employers and interns to get to know one another, which can save recruitment costs if interns are hired at the end of the programme. Furthermore, participation supports employers in achieving recognition as an equality, diversity, and inclusion employer and contributes to their Corporate Social Responsibility goals. We are funding this event in partnership with Bedford College, DFN Project Search, and Mencap

The Bedford Borough Youth Cabinet facilitated our latest Community Network Meeting last week. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported this event.

Join a Community Tree Planting Session! We know it's a bit last minute, but we are holding community tree-planting sessions are taking place this week and next, and you're invited! It's a great way to meet people, get active, and help create something that will thrive for years. 📅 Dates & Locations: Thu 20 March, 1:30pm – Cardington Road Picnic Area (Orchard) Wed 26 March, 10am – Goldington Green (Orchard) Fri 28 March, 10am – Southfields Road (Miyawaki Forest) All tools provided—just wear suitable clothing and bring a warm drink! Orchards support wildlife and pollinators while Miyawaki forests grow 10x faster, boosting biodiversity. Register your interest: volunteering@bedford.gov.uk

Today is National Child Exploitation Awareness Day. Bedfordshire Police are raising awareness about the critical issues surrounding child exploitation, encouraging everyone to spot the signs and speak out against abuse. By working with partners across the county, they aim to bring this issue to light and raise much-needed awareness. They adopt a zero-tolerance approach to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children and to children exploiting and abusing their peers. Signs of exploitation include: - Regularly going missing. - Having expensive items such as clothes, jewellery or trainers. - Relationships with older people. - Lots of phone and online messages they are secretive about. - Older friends. - Sudden or unusual mood changes. Bedfordshire Against Violence & Exploitation (BAVEX), today organised a conference for professionals from across Bedfordshire to explore how they can work together to tackle these critical issues. Our teams are present to learn, network, and will also be speaking at the event. #CEADay25

Do you believe in book fairies?

2 weeks to go until the deadline for new recycling requirements for businesses. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eKTsAJ3U