A charity working with Bedford’s most vulnerable children and young people is celebrating being awarded £326,112 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
It is also celebrating its first year as an independent organisation, having previously operated as part of IMPAKT housing and support (formerly YMCA Bedfordshire).
Fun 4 Young People (F4YP) will use their funding to deliver year-round fun, educational and accessible youth provision for children and young people aged from five- 16 years old.
The charity has been serving the local Bedfordshire community for 17 years and says this funding will have a monumental impact on the long-term development of the organisation and its services.
This new National Lottery funding will enable F4YP to provide a range of holistic support for children and young people starting this month. This includes 1,500 places on year-round sports, creative arts and educational sessions, pastoral and therapeutic support, camping trips and residential.
Sophie Stock, CEO of F4YP, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can provide vital ongoing and additional support to children and families from across Bedfordshire.
“Given the impact of the pandemic these last few years and the current cost-of-living crisis we’re all experiencing, this wrap-around support is more important than ever before. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.”
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.
