Bedford Borough Council

Tune in to BBC Look East this lunchtime (1.35pm) to learn about the support available to residents during this cold snap. Remember to check in on vulnerable friends, family, or neighbours during this period of extreme cold. Don't forget that we have a number of Welcoming Spaces across the Borough, that offer people a place to go to stay warm. They’re also places to go to meet other people and enjoy some company over a hot drink which can be particularly important over the winter months. Find out more in the comments.

Our gritting crews are heading back out this afternoon as the cold snap continues, spreading salt to keep roads safe and accessible for all travellers. This dedicated team are prepared to respond daily, right through until March, playing a vital role in maintaining road safety and ensuring smooth traffic flow throughout the winter months. To stay updated on gritting activities, residents can follow @grittertweets on X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates on routes and weather forecasts. Additionally, the latest updates can be found at https://lnkd.in/eRcf5v6j or with a live map of the gritters at https://lnkd.in/eD6_RaKE. #Gritting #TogetherWeMakeADifference

Autistic young people have the chance to make new friends and have fun in a safe environment, thanks to an online gaming community being supported by Bedford Borough Council. Spectrum Gaming is an autistic-led UK-based charity that supports autistic young people by providing spaces where they feel safe and accepted, amongst others with similar shared lived experiences to explore who they are. Earlier this year it was introduced to Bedford Borough, as part of a partnership between the Council and Spectrum Gaming. It offers dedicated discord and Minecraft servers every day from 10am-10pm, and the chance to take part in special online events – all fully funded. And up to 100 places are available to autistic young people in the Borough. Councillor Jane Walker, Portfolio Holder for Valuing Families: Children’s Services, said; “We’ve been delighted with the number of autistic young people who have already signed up since we launched in the spring, but there are still places for others, aged from 10-17, who live in Bedford Borough. “It is about more than just gaming – it’s about offering a great opportunity for our autistic young people to take part in a wide range of online activities, socialising and making new friends in a safe environment, letting them grow in confidence. “Spectrum Gaming is an autistic-led organisation, for neurodivergent young people, and almost all of its workforce are neurodivergent in some way. That’s a big part of why they’re so good at offering a safe space for them.”

New Year, New Opportunities! As we step into a brand-new year, it’s the perfect time to consider your next career move. At Bedford Borough Council, we’re proud of the difference we make every day to the lives of our community. Whatever your role, you’ll be part of a friendly, supportive, and passionate team dedicated to building a better future. Bring your passion, pride, and commitment, and we’ll help you unlock your potential. With flexible working options, opportunities for personal growth, and a culture of trust and inclusivity, you’ll thrive in an environment where you can balance your career with your other responsibilities. It’s quick and easy to explore the latest job opportunities and become part of a team where your work truly matters. Start your journey to make a difference today by visiting our careers page at https://lnkd.in/esKcpyxx. #TogetherWeMakeADifference

Lilly’s Dream of a Forever Home. In our animated story, meet Lilly – a little girl dreaming of a forever home. Her story is still incomplete, but you have the power to change that. Every child deserves a loving home where their story can blossom into something beautiful. Could you be the one to complete Lilly’s journey? Open your heart to adoption today. Visit 👉 www.adopt4bedford.com Or call us at 01234 718 718

Congratulations to all the Bedford Borough recipients of a New Year’s Honour. We’re immensely proud of the contributions made by each of you - whether through your hard work for our local communities, commitment to your profession, or dedication to public service. https://lnkd.in/e4SMisnw

Don't forget that there’s now four hours free parking at Lurke Street Car Park as well as Allhallows Car Park. You can park for four hours free from Monday to Saturday and car parking is free all day on a Sunday in all council-owned multi-storey car parks.

Join the East West Railway Company on the 9 January 10am-12pm to find out more about East West Rail from their team at their final online event. There will be 45 minutes of presentation about the proposed designs and 45 minutes of Q&A. The East West Rail Company (EWR Co) is conducting a 10-week non-statutory consultation, providing communities along the route an important opportunity to share their views on the latest plans. In addition to discussing electrification, the consultation will show the latest designs and information on East West Rail and project updates. Visit the EWR company’s consultation page for more details and to get involved: https://lnkd.in/ettxZnat

"What could we do for a foster child? Give them a regular life, that's what." “What my foster family does for me is just everyday life to them, but it means everything to me.” We urgently need new foster carers. Ordinary families living ordinary lives could make an extraordinary difference to local children in care. Your everyday is everything a foster child needs. Find out more about fostering for us at www.fostereast.org.uk #Foster4Bedford #Fosterwithyourcouncil #FosterEastofEngland

Our Family Hubs have launched a survey in partnership with Bedford Giving for young people to give their views on a proposed new Youth Hub, set to open in the town centre in the Summer of 2025. Are you or do you know someone aged 11-19, who would like to be in with a chance of winning a £30 Amazon voucher by giving their views? Find the link to the survey in the comments below #Community #Bedford #YouthHub #YoungPeople