Vision and purpose

The Trustees have now published their second Strategic Plan, which covers the period 2010 to 2015.

After the successful implementation of the first five-year Strategic Plan from 2004 to 2009, which provided a vital focus for activities and a context for decision making, the Trustees of the Bedford Charity agreed to build on these first steps and develop a new strategic plan for the next five years.

This Strategic Plan brings together the agreed Vision, Mission and Values, with a top level break down of activities, outcomes and measures which can be seen to flow from them. These top level activities will then inform the more detailed business planning to be carried out by the team in the Harpur Trust offices and the Charity’s schools.

A summary of the Trustees’ Vision and Mission for the Charity follow; the full Strategic Plan please is available as a PDF file from this page.

Vision and Mission

Who we are

The Bedford Charity is a local foundation that uses the legacy of Sir William Harpur, our founder in 1566, to benefit the inhabitants of the Borough of Bedford through the promotion of education; the relief of poverty, sickness, hardship or distress; and the provision of recreational facilities with a social welfare purpose.

Our Vision is of Bedford as a place where everyone has pride in their community and is inspired and supported in realising their potential.

Our Mission is to inspire and support people by …

Providing Education

Promoting the highest quality, well-rounded education, through excellence in our own schools; promoting wider excellence in education through grant funding; supporting the Bedford Academy and other maintained schools; and maximising access to our schools for the economically disadvantaged.

Creating Opportunity

Providing individual support and developing access to learning programmes in all communities in Bedford, through grant funding and in partnership with other organisations.

Breaking down Barriers

Providing support via grant funds to organisations and individuals where needed, involving people in local initiatives, reducing barriers caused by disadvantage and increasing the community’s access to recreation.

In all of these we aim to extend programmes and develop initiatives and activities which will be inspirational and set examples and models for successful social policy in other areas.