500 young people in Bedfordshire benefit from local investment to build key skills

500 young people aged five to 16 years old in Bedfordshire have benefitted from an innovative scheme to help build self-confidence, self-esteem, resilience, communication thanks to a cost-of-living grant.

The funding from Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and Bedford Borough Council has helped Fun 4 Young People, a local charity specialising in helping children and their families to keep their services running despite rising energy and transport costs. Focused on helping young people to develop skills and better manage bullying and social isolation, Fun 4 Young People works with people who receive income support and young people who have autism, anxiety and other disabilities.

The funding has helped Fun 4 Young People to provide 10 weeks of therapy sessions which includes one to one support through their dedicated staff and therapists and run parent/carer forums and coffee mornings that provide vital support. Fun 4 Young people have also developed online training resources for parents and carers to support young people with mental health, wellbeing and special educational needs.

Fun 4 Young People is already making a positive difference to people’s lives.

One Bedfordshire family benefitting from the scheme  said:

“When a very difficult and challenging situation hit our family in 2022, we found ourselves faced with not only caring for our children but also our grandchildren long-term.

“We reached out to Fun 4 Young People because they offered exciting clubs for all the children to have fun and learn new skills, but also emotional support, which was invaluable for us.

“The children always come out smiling and happy asking to go again. Their confidence has built over the weeks, and they are always learning new skills.

“The team are highly professional, approachable, and supportive, and we are very grateful for the services offered by them during such an emotionally challenging time. “

Sophie Stock, CEO of Fun 4 Young People, said: “It is very common for our families to access the service over many years, and this is key to us for building strong and positive relationships, which in turn, helps us to better support the children and their families.”

For more information about Fun 4 Young People and their programmes, please visit their website at www.fun4youngpeople.org.uk.