Providing real and long-term help for the homeless of Bedfordshire is the role of IMPAKT housing & support (formerly known as the Beds YMCA).
The organisation was always an independent charity operating under the YMCA umbrella, now it has its own brand name.
IMPAKT housing & support has a turnover of £5 Million a year, 80 staff and is the largest charitable provider of housing for the homeless in Bedfordshire.
It operates as a housing association with more than 75% of its income coming from rents.
But, it relies on charitable support for much of its other work.CEO Paul Hunt says: “We provide 36% of all accommodation to the homeless in the county.
“More than this, we offer guidance and courses to encourage people to go on to lead independent lives.
“We help a diverse range of people aged from 16 to those in their 60s.
”In addition, IMPAKT for Young People provides school holiday clubs as well as pre and after school clubs for children aged from five to 16.”
The newly branded IMPAKT housing & support locations include:
The Arcade IMPAKT Interiors, where fashionable up-cycle articles are sold
The Church Arcade IMPAKT Food, where 200 people a week collect groceries. Previously second hand furniture was available here, but a new location is being sought.
IMPAKT housing offers accommodation to the homeless in the Borough of Bedford at:
Weaver House, Gibbons Road
The Foyer, Conduit Road
Cornerstone, Tavistock Street
St George’s Road
Linden Road
as well as supported lodgings across the county, two women’s refuges and the large Midland House in Kings Street, Luton.
Paul Hunt, who has been CEO of the organisation for 20 years, is an Observer on the BedfordBID board offering his expert advice on issues impacting on Bedford town centre.
His wife Lisa runs the beloved Arcadia Sweet Shop in The Arcade, Bedford.
