School Uniform Support and University Bursaries

Maximising our impact on local community needs

SCHOOL UNIFORM Support

4.5 million children in the UK live below the poverty line. In Bedford, that’s over 9,000 children.

We helped ease the burden by giving 416 families £50 to spend on uniform for children on free school meals starting secondary school.

“I've just used our £50 voucher towards a school uniform for my daughter. Because of your voucher she will be able to go to her new school wearing a new blazer that fits her, and a brand-new skirt that fits her too! Super grateful. She can now waltz into school feeling and looking as wonderful as she is!”

(Parent)

UNIVERSITY BURSARIES

Nationally around 29% of students who are from the most disadvantaged 20% of the population attend university as opposed to 59% of those from the most advantaged 20%.

We provided bursaries to 16 young people from low-income families to go to university.

This year we increased the size of the bursary to

£4,500 per person

– our largest amount ever.

Totalling

£72,000

Russell Terrey, 21, who is studying plant science at the University of Manchester, said:

The bursary has taken away the financial stress that comes with university. I am extremely grateful to receive this bursary and really believe it had made a great impact on my time at university!

Eshe Powell, 22, who studied cinematography and film/video production, at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) said:

University is about learning and broadening your worldview, but it’s easy to forget that some courses come with extra costs that are essential to making the most of that experience. The bursary helped level the playing field and allowed me to consider trips and experiences offered by my degree, that might otherwise have felt out of reach.

Kerena Cobbina, 21, who graduated with a degree in Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism from the University of East Anglia and is currently undertaking a 2-year Journalist apprenticeship with the BBC in London, said:

Receiving the bursary was so helpful. The financial freedom enabled me to focus on my studies and travel to pursue journalism interviews for my course. Without this bursary, I would've struggled so much. I can't thank the Harpur Trust enough!

More Impact

Our mission is to nurture potential and improve people’s lives. Our strategy, Together for Bedford, commits us to enabling more children and young people facing disadvantage to achieve their potential, to provide high quality education with an impactful bursary programme, and to maximise our impact on the community in Bedford. Find out more below about how we have achieved these aims in 2024-25.

We enable more children and young people facing disadvantage to achieve their potential in other ways too including hosting Bedford Giving, sponsorship and providing community events. Find out more in the links below.

More children and young people facing disadvantage achieve their potential

Our Accelerator Programme aims to enable more children aged 0-11 eligible for Free School Meals to reach the expected standard. We also host Bedford Giving, a collaboration to bring together the whole community to support children and young people in Bedford.

High quality education with impactful bursaries

For more than 400 years, we’ve helped generations of young people in Bedford to unlock their promise and embrace their moment to shine.

Maximum impact on community needs

Each year, we award £1m+ in grants, giving a diverse range of community groups the resources they need to tackle issues and seize opportunities.