9 November 2026

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Community & Charity

All the latest community and charity news from across Bedford Borough. Everything you need to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Bedford Borough on your mobile or desktop via the Bedford Independent.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and follows a standards code set out by the independent press regulator IMPRESS Standards.

Bedford cancer survivor and family prepare for charity skydive jump

A 67-year-old Bedford father is taking to the skies alongside his three children for a fundraising skydive, aiming to raise awareness for early cancer detection and vital NHS services...

Late autism diagnosis inspires new Bedford podcast tackling neurodiversity myths

When Trevor Holland received an autism diagnosis at 42, he expected relief. Instead, it sparked an identity crisis. Now, his Bedford-based podcast Shouty Brain is tackling neurodiversity myths...

Bedford College tutor completes Great Wall trek for children’s charity

A computing tutor from Bedford College has raised almost £4,500 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity after taking on a five-day challenge along the Great Wall of China...

Bedford Pride: a festival of community, creativity, and celebration

Get ready to crank up the colour and turn up the energy as we get ready to celebrate Bedford’s LGBTQ+ community at Pride this Saturday (5 September). Organised by Rainbow Bedfordshire...

Bedford cyclist tackles 500-mile Three Peaks challenge for men’s health charity

Bedfordian Dom and university friend Mike are taking on a brutal 500-mile Three Peaks cycling challenge to raise £10,000 for testicular cancer awareness through The Oddballs Foundation...

Obituary: Simon Richard Houfe (1942-2026)

Simon Richard Houfe of Ampthill, author, editor, historian, and lifelong chronicler of Bedfordshire’s people and places, has been remembered with deep affection following his death...

Eight community projects secure share of £90k Youth Panel funding from Bedford Giving

A panel of young people from across The Bedford College Group has selected eight organisations to each benefit from a share of Bedford Giving's £87,000 grant funding. The Bedford Giving...

Carers’ charity says its contract may have changed, but its commitment remains the same

When Carers in Bedfordshire lost its long-standing local authority contract to deliver adult care services in December, the charity faced a pivotal moment. The contract, awarded by...

Former England rugby star signs up as local CIC ambassador

A former England rugby star has joined a local Community Interest Company as its ambassador. Rocky Clark MBE, England Women's second-most capped player in history, has joined forces with Barnes...

Canine Partners charity asks Bedfordians for their help to look after puppies

Canine partners, the national charity that breeds, train and supports assistance dogs, is expanding and urgently needs dog-loving volunteers to help raise and train the next generation…