The Real Change Bedford fund is set up to provide financial help and support to charities and organisations offering homeless services within Bedford Borough who are part of our partnership. Services include providing accommodation, financial support, physical and mental health services, supplying hot meals and continued food and everyday items, sustenance, counselling, rehabilitation, training and much more.

Most of our charities fund their services by utilising contracts awarded by the local authority or grants through independent funders. However, because of the nature of the work, extra resources and costs are unaccounted for which is where our extra pot of money is so valuable.

Our emergency pot of funding allows our charities to claim for items such as duvets, extra food supplies, clothes, kitchen appliances and mental health services. We know providing housing is only part of supporting homelessness, what individuals also need is appropriate support systems and services that can provide a home and stability to re-build lives. Many of our charities and organisations help clients to go on to live independent and fulfilled lives.

The Bedford Homeless Partnership (BHP) manage the Real Change Fund. The funds for the Real Change Fund are administered and distributed by partner charity Community Voluntary Service Bedfordshire (CVS Bedfordshire), charity number 1091423.