A new generation of volunteers is breathing fresh life into Bedford’s long-standing Rotary movement, as the newly formed Rotary Club of River Great Ouse (Rotary RGO) begins its work across the Borough.
Founded earlier this year and formally chartered this month (10 October), the club aims to bring together younger professionals and residents who want to make a tangible difference in their community through hands-on projects and local partnerships.
A new approach to ‘service above self’
Inaugural president Vee Meyners said the new club was born from a desire to make volunteering more accessible, social, and relevant to a new generation.
“I think for Bedford, our new Rotary club is an opportunity for younger people to get involved in community-based activities and to help each other out,” said Vee. “People do want to chip in and make a difference – it’s sometimes just hard to know where to get started.
“Our Rotary club wants to work within the community, support very local, very grassroots charities and projects, and get creative about ways to help.
“We’ve already had a fabulous response and, for example, helped the King’s Arms Project with some gardening at their properties.
“At our charter event, we asked guests to bring hygiene products and ended up with a carload full for Mel from Love In A Bag, who packs these bags with love for people in need.”
Rotary RGO joins Bedford’s four other Rotary clubs, Castle, Bedford Park, Bedford and De Parys, each with its own focus but united by a shared ethos of ‘service above self’, the Rotary motto.
Read: Bedford Rotary Clubs set up new club to help even more people across the Borough
“Our sponsor clubs, Castle and Bedford Park, were instrumental in helping us get started, connecting us with local charities looking for hands-on support.
“One of the first was BOLD, a small charity supporting people with learning disabilities. They needed raised garden beds built, and we had them done in a day. That’s the kind of practical, people-powered help we want to offer.”
The club has already logged more than 100 volunteer hours and raised over £1,600 for local charities through community pub quizzes, with plans to expand its outreach through regular projects and events.
New collaborations
The launch of Rotary River Great Ouse has already caught the attention of several Bedford-based charities, who say the partnership offers both practical help and awareness for their causes. Many came along to celebrate the new club’s inauguration.
Mel Stratton, founder of Love in a Bag Bedford, said: “It’s wonderful to have the support of Rotary RGO. The donations from their members have already been included in bags going out to those in need across Bedford this Christmas.
“Their generosity and collaboration help us reach more people while raising awareness of the work we do.”
Love in a Bag Bedford provides toiletries and essentials to those most in need through partnerships with local community groups and charities.
Stuart McCaw, Fundraising Manager at the King’s Arms Project, added, “Our goal is for everyone to thrive in a place they call home.
“Working with community groups like Rotary RGO helps us reach those who might otherwise be left behind, tackling homelessness and isolation through hope and connection.”
King’s Arms Project works across Bedfordshire, supporting people experiencing homelessness, displacement or isolation.
Meanwhile, Paul Cook, Chief Executive of the Road Victims Trust, commented on how working with the Rotary River Great Ouse will help them reach younger people.
“The Road Victims Trust provides free, specialist counselling and emotional support to people whose lives have been changed by road collisions,” he said.
“Working alongside organisations such as Rotary RGO, particularly where they engage and inspire young people, helps raise awareness and promote safer driving values.”
Creating Memories, a charity that helps fulfil the wishes of adults and children with life-limiting or terminal illnesses in Bedfordshire, was also at the event.
Their founder, Pritti Saggi, said: “It was a true honour to be invited to the launch of this new Rotary group.
“It’s so refreshing to see a focus not just on fundraising, but on forging meaningful connections and using skills to make a real difference, particularly for smaller, grassroots charities like ours.”
And Michaela Martindale, Chief Executive Officer at FACES Bedford, welcomed the new Rotary club, which will support and enhance the legacy clubs’ work in the area.
“FACES Bedford supports families facing challenges ranging from domestic abuse to mental health and SEND support. Working together with organisations like Rotary RGO helps us extend that support to even more people across the community,” she said.
“Focused on community needs”
Vee says the club will continue to focus on listening to the needs of the local community, working in partnership rather than charity from afar.
“We want to be out there helping, but also be a club that others want to join,” she said. “If what we’re doing resonates with you, come along to one of our meetings. We’d love to have more people who want to contribute.”
Rotary RGO meets once a month at the Three Cups, 45 Newnham Street, Bedford MK403JR. However, their next meeting is online on 29 October at 8pm. Register to join in at the email below.
Before then, they are holding a charity social at the Three Cups on 24 October from 6:30pm. All are invited to come along for a drink and learn more.
They’ll also be collecting tins of biscuits and boxes of chocolates for Creating Memories’ Christmas hampers.
To get involved or learn more, email rotary.rgo@gmail.com. To see more of the work they and other Rotary Clubs in Bedford are involved in, head to the Rotary in Bedford Instagram channel.
Transparency: Paul Hutchinson is vice-president of Rotary RGO.
