Funding secured to support ABILITY Blues

Bedford Blues Foundation Awarded £10,000 in Grants to Expand ABILITY Blues Programme

We are delighted to announce that Bedford Blues Foundation has been awarded nearly £10,000 in grants from the Harpur Trust and the St James’s Place Foundation. This generous support will enable us to expand our ABILITY Blues programme, which provides inclusive sports opportunities for young people with disabilities across Bedfordshire. We’re also excited to be delivering the programme in partnership with Bedford Borough Council, further strengthening our impact in the local community.

Thanks to these grants, we’re set to launch new community-based projects and introduce taster sessions in local schools from the start of the new year. Our ABILITY Blues programme is about more than just rugby; it’s about creating a safe, welcoming space where young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can experience the joy of sport, build confidence, and make connections. With this funding, we can broaden our reach, bringing these opportunities to even more young people across Bedfordshire.

The Harpur Trust, an organisation with deep roots in supporting Bedford’s communities, has been instrumental in helping us build capacity for the programme. Their funding will support essential resources, equipment, and staffing, enabling us to deliver high-quality sessions and connect with new participants in a sustainable way.

We are also incredibly grateful to the St James’s Place Foundation, whose grant will allow us to further develop and enhance the ABILITY Blues experience. Their support reflects a shared commitment to helping young people and families across the UK, particularly those impacted by SEND.

"This support from the Harpur Trust and St James’s Place Foundation, combined with our partnership with Bedford Borough Council, will help us create even more opportunities for young people with disabilities to engage in sport," said one of our team members. "We’re excited to start bringing these new sessions to local schools and community spaces."

With these grants and our partnership with Bedford Borough Council, we’re poised to make an even bigger impact in 2024 and beyond, promoting inclusivity, well-being, and empowerment for young people with disabilities throughout Bedfordshire. Thank you to the Harpur Trust, St James’s Place Foundation, and Bedford Borough Council for making this possible!