I thought I would email to say a massive thank you for all of your support over this last year. Your support has been invaluable to the police and also the VEO team and we are very lucky to have you especially in our moments where we are desperately trying to secure emergency accommodation or just help with travel costs for a fleeing victim. I do not know what we would have done without your support and guidance. One particular case stands out for me where you supported me with a Zimbabwean victim who was trying to flee her abusive relationship from her husband. She had visa issues and also very reliant upon her husband, but with our joint up approach the victim was in good hands and you happened to know of a Zimbabwean community who you put the victim in touch with, where she was offered help and support, was offered 121 support and was able to stay with another Zimbabwean female, you also managed to get her free legal advice around her visa.
This is just one of many examples where you have exceeded our expectations, so thank you again for all your hard work and support 😊.
I have used QPCO on several occasions and have been overwhelmed by the speed in which they have been able to arrange accommodation for vulnerable victims of rape / serious sexual offences. One of my victims had a chaotic lifestyle and was living in an unsafe and toxic situation and was then raped and sexually exploited. The second victim was in an abusive marriage and her husband had repeatedly raped / sexually abused her. After exploring various avenues for help with temporary housing (for the second victim I had been chasing Harrow housing for four days), I contacted QPCO very late in the day for both victims, and within ten minutes they had arranged hotel accommodation with breakfast. This allowed us the time to find a more appropriate and long term solution for both victims, getting them to a place of safety and ensuring relevant agencies were able to support both ladies. QPCO most certainly go the extra mile to support vulnerable people, offering both practical and emotional support, including food banks, interpreting, signposting etc. This is probably the most supportive voluntary agency I have worked with in a long time and their passion for vulnerable people is remarkable to see – we need more agencies like this to support the work we do because statutory services are stretched and cannot offer immediate support in many instances. Marie-Ange will make herself available at all hours – including late at night – to ensure a victim has food, clothing, toiletries etc. Every member of the QPCO family is kind, empathic and generous in both their time and energy – all a huge asset to Bedford.
Make a donation Get in touchJoin our community and connect with us on our other social media channels to stay in the loop with our latest news, events, and stories from people just like you - because everyone is welcome here!
✨We were delighted to attend CYCD - LUTON Luton youth conference and awards 2026. ✨@cycd_lyca
A fantastic event showcasing young people with their views on what needs to change to improve their life!
@cycd.luton are kindly sharing their amazing exhibition with us for the Bangladesh Heritage day organised in partnership with @ilearnbedford 🫶 :
Join us on Saturday 18th April 2026 | 12pm – 7pm | Harpur Square
We were delighted to meet old friends @mindsmattergb & @BedsPoliceUK as well as new friends, Noelette and her team from @lutonirishforum and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Umme Ali.🙏
Well done to @cycd_lyca for organising such a lovely event!
#youthempowerement #loveluton #weareqpco
✨We were delighted to attend CYCD - LUTON Luton youth conference and awards 2026. ✨@cycd_lyca
A fantastic event showcasing young people with their views on what needs to change to improve their life!
@cycd.luton are kindly sharing their amazing exhibition with us for the Bangladesh Heritage day organised in partnership with @ilearnbedford 🫶 :
Join us on Saturday 18th April 2026 | 12pm – 7pm | Harpur Square
We were delighted to meet old friends @mindsmattergb & @BedsPoliceUK as well as new friends, Noelette and her team from @lutonirishforum and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Umme Ali.🙏
Well done to @cycd_lyca for organising such a lovely event!
#youthempowerement #loveluton #weareqpco
Easter Half Term at The Welcoming Space 🌸🐣
Looking for something fun, creative, and FREE for the kids this Easter holidays? Join us at the Welcoming Space for two special Wednesdays of activities for young children and families.
🥄 Wednesday 1st April – Easter Fun Day
Celebrate the holidays with classic Easter fun and creative activities.
• 🥄 Egg & Spoon Race
• 🧁 Make your own chocolate crispy nests
• 🎨 Easter crafts and decorate your own egg artwork
• 🐦 Create a natural bird seed holder
• 🎲 Painting, games & creative play
• 🏆 Easter Egg Competition – take part for a chance to win a chocolate Easter egg!
The Easter eggs for the competition have been kindly donated by Co-op and Mc Refrigeration Ltd. Thank you for supporting our community activities!
🎨 Wednesday 8th April – Bangladeshi Heritage Art Workshop
In partnership with Ilearn, we’re excited to welcome visiting artist Mo for a special Cultural Heritage Art Workshop celebrating Bangladesh Heritage Day.
Children will:
• 🐦Learn about native birds of Bangladesh
• ✂️Create colourful collage bird artwork using recycled magazines and decorative papers
• ✏️Add details with coloured pencils and pens
• 🔤Write the bird names in English and Bengali
• 🖼️ Contribute their artwork to a large community mural that will be displayed for Heritage Day.
📅 Wednesdays 1st April & 8th April 2026
⏰ 1PM – 5PM
📍 Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre, 10–12 Bunyan Road, Bedford, MK42 9JB
✨ Free • Drop-in • No booking needed • Open to all
The Welcoming Space is delivered by Queen’s Park Community Organisation and volunteers from Bhagwan Valmiki Sabha Bedford, with support from the Living Well Fund (funded by Cadent) and managed by Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.
For more information visit: https://qpco.org.uk/projects/welcoming-space/
#WelcomingSpace #EasterHalfTerm #BangladeshiHeritageDay #FreeFamilyActivities #Bedford #WeAreQPCO
Easter Half Term at The Welcoming Space 🌸🐣
Looking for something fun, creative, and FREE for the kids this Easter holidays? Join us at the Welcoming Space for two special Wednesdays of activities for young children and families.
🥄 Wednesday 1st April – Easter Fun Day
Celebrate the holidays with classic Easter fun and creative activities.
• 🥄 Egg & Spoon Race
• 🧁 Make your own chocolate crispy nests
• 🎨 Easter crafts and decorate your own egg artwork
• 🐦 Create a natural bird seed holder
• 🎲 Painting, games & creative play
• 🏆 Easter Egg Competition – take part for a chance to win a chocolate Easter egg!
The Easter eggs for the competition have been kindly donated by Co-op and Mc Refrigeration Ltd. Thank you for supporting our community activities!
🎨 Wednesday 8th April – Bangladeshi Heritage Art Workshop
In partnership with Ilearn, we’re excited to welcome visiting artist Mo for a special Cultural Heritage Art Workshop celebrating Bangladesh Heritage Day.
Children will:
• 🐦Learn about native birds of Bangladesh
• ✂️Create colourful collage bird artwork using recycled magazines and decorative papers
• ✏️Add details with coloured pencils and pens
• 🔤Write the bird names in English and Bengali
• 🖼️ Contribute their artwork to a large community mural that will be displayed for Heritage Day.
📅 Wednesdays 1st April & 8th April 2026
⏰ 1PM – 5PM
📍 Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre, 10–12 Bunyan Road, Bedford, MK42 9JB
✨ Free • Drop-in • No booking needed • Open to all
The Welcoming Space is delivered by Queen’s Park Community Organisation and volunteers from Bhagwan Valmiki Sabha Bedford, with support from the Living Well Fund (funded by Cadent) and managed by Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation.
For more information visit: https://qpco.org.uk/projects/welcoming-space/
#WelcomingSpace #EasterHalfTerm #BangladeshiHeritageDay #FreeFamilyActivities #Bedford #WeAreQPCO
✨Join Us Tomorrow at The Welcome Space! ✨
Whether you’d like company, practical help, or just a place to spend some time, everyone is welcome.
☕ Sit and relax, connect, and get support in a warm and welcoming environment.
🎲 Play games and enjoy activities
💬 Get support and friendly advice
🏠 Learn about carbon monoxide safety, energy advice, and other available support
Did you know about the Priority Services Register? It’s a FREE service designed to give extra support to people who may need a little additional help. Including older residents, those living with disabilities or long-term health conditions, families with young children, and anyone recovering from illness.
If you think you, a family member, neighbour or friend could benefit, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Pop along and we’ll happily help you get registered.
If you’re unsure or need advice, come along for a chat — support is available 💛
📅 When? Wednesday 25th March 2026
⏰ Time? 1PM – 5PM
📍 Where? Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre, 10–12 Bunyan Road, Bedford, MK42 9JB
Please feel free to share – we look forward to seeing you 😊
💞 ☕✨ This space is made possible thanks to the hard work of volunteers from Bhagwan Valmiki Sabha Bedford and @Queen`s Park Community Organisation staff. Proudly supported by the Living Well Fund (Cadent ) and managed by Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
#WelcomingSpace #CommunityConnection #BedfordCommunity #WeAreQPCO #CommunityEngagement
For more information visit our website: https://qpco.org.uk/projects/welcoming-space/
✨Join Us Tomorrow at The Welcome Space! ✨
Whether you’d like company, practical help, or just a place to spend some time, everyone is welcome.
☕ Sit and relax, connect, and get support in a warm and welcoming environment.
🎲 Play games and enjoy activities
💬 Get support and friendly advice
🏠 Learn about carbon monoxide safety, energy advice, and other available support
Did you know about the Priority Services Register? It’s a FREE service designed to give extra support to people who may need a little additional help. Including older residents, those living with disabilities or long-term health conditions, families with young children, and anyone recovering from illness.
If you think you, a family member, neighbour or friend could benefit, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Pop along and we’ll happily help you get registered.
If you’re unsure or need advice, come along for a chat — support is available 💛
📅 When? Wednesday 25th March 2026
⏰ Time? 1PM – 5PM
📍 Where? Bhagwan Valmik Mandir Community Centre, 10–12 Bunyan Road, Bedford, MK42 9JB
Please feel free to share – we look forward to seeing you 😊
💞 ☕✨ This space is made possible thanks to the hard work of volunteers from Bhagwan Valmiki Sabha Bedford and @Queen`s Park Community Organisation staff. Proudly supported by the Living Well Fund (Cadent ) and managed by Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation
#WelcomingSpace #CommunityConnection #BedfordCommunity #WeAreQPCO #CommunityEngagement
For more information visit our website: https://qpco.org.uk/projects/welcoming-space/
✨ Khush Haal – Welcome Back for an Eid party ✨
We’re so happy to be welcoming everyone back for an Eid Party filled with warmth, conversation, and community.
Come along to reconnect, unwind, and enjoy friendly company in a safe and welcoming space. Whether you’re a regular or joining us for the first time, you’re very welcome. ☕🍰
📅 Tomorrow – Tuesday 24 March 2026 ⏰ 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Queens Park Community Centre, Marlborough Road, Bedford, MK40 4LF
Khush Haal is a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space for women in Queens Park and nearby areas, especially those whose first language isn’t English. Run by volunteers, Khush Haal is all about friendship, peer support, wellbeing, and living well together.
Please note that the group will be closed over the Easter holiday and will reopen on 17th of April 2026.
#KhushHaal #Eid #WomensWellbeing #QueensPark #CommunityConnection #LiveWell #BedfordEvents
✨ Khush Haal – Welcome Back for an Eid party ✨
We’re so happy to be welcoming everyone back for an Eid Party filled with warmth, conversation, and community.
Come along to reconnect, unwind, and enjoy friendly company in a safe and welcoming space. Whether you’re a regular or joining us for the first time, you’re very welcome. ☕🍰
📅 Tomorrow – Tuesday 24 March 2026 ⏰ 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Queens Park Community Centre, Marlborough Road, Bedford, MK40 4LF
Khush Haal is a warm, supportive, and non-judgmental space for women in Queens Park and nearby areas, especially those whose first language isn’t English. Run by volunteers, Khush Haal is all about friendship, peer support, wellbeing, and living well together.
Please note that the group will be closed over the Easter holiday and will reopen on 17th of April 2026.
#KhushHaal #Eid #WomensWellbeing #QueensPark #CommunityConnection #LiveWell #BedfordEvents
At QPCO we acknowledge Eid as a meaningful time for reflection, generosity, and connection. As families and communities gather to celebrate, we extend our warmest wishes to all marking the occasion.
Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating. 🌙💚
At QPCO we acknowledge Eid as a meaningful time for reflection, generosity, and connection. As families and communities gather to celebrate, we extend our warmest wishes to all marking the occasion.
Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating. 🌙💚
A big thank you to our amazing community partners! 🐣💚
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Co-op and Mc Refrigeration Ltd for their generous donation of Easter eggs to support our upcoming Easter holiday activities at the Welcoming Space.
Thanks to their kindness, we’ll be able to run a fun Easter egg competition for local children and families during our holiday sessions. 🍫🏆
Community support like this helps us create free, welcoming activities for children and families in our area, and we’re incredibly grateful for businesses that want to give back.
👀 Keep an eye on our page! We’ll be sharing details of our Easter Half Term activities very soon!
The Welcoming Space is delivered by Queen’s Park Community Organisation with volunteers from Bhagwan Valmiki Sabha Bedford, supporting local families through free, friendly community sessions.
#CommunitySupport #ThankYou #WelcomingSpace #Bedford #WeAreQPCO #CommunityPartnerships
A big thank you to our amazing community partners! 🐣💚
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Co-op and Mc Refrigeration Ltd for their generous donation of Easter eggs to support our upcoming Easter holiday activities at the Welcoming Space.
Thanks to their kindness, we’ll be able to run a fun Easter egg competition for local children and families during our holiday sessions. 🍫🏆
Community support like this helps us create free, welcoming activities for children and families in our area, and we’re incredibly grateful for businesses that want to give back.
👀 Keep an eye on our page! We’ll be sharing details of our Easter Half Term activities very soon!
The Welcoming Space is delivered by Queen’s Park Community Organisation with volunteers from Bhagwan Valmiki Sabha Bedford, supporting local families through free, friendly community sessions.
#CommunitySupport #ThankYou #WelcomingSpace #Bedford #WeAreQPCO #CommunityPartnerships
📅 Just one month until Bangladeshi Heritage Day!
As part of our Back to Our Roots campaign, QPCO is proud to support Bangladeshi Heritage Day in partnership with @ilearnbedford 🌿🤝
The event commemorates the historic declaration of independence of Bangladesh on 26 March 1971, a defining moment that began the Liberation War for freedom, dignity and self-determination 🇧🇩✨
🌼This year’s theme “Asha” (আশা) – Hope celebrates the enduring spirit of the Bangladeshi community while looking toward a future of unity, opportunity and cultural pride.
Save the date and celebrate with us.
#BangladeshiHeritageDay #BackToOurRoots #CommunityCelebration #weareqpco
📅 Just one month until Bangladeshi Heritage Day!
As part of our Back to Our Roots campaign, QPCO is proud to support Bangladeshi Heritage Day in partnership with @ilearnbedford 🌿🤝
The event commemorates the historic declaration of independence of Bangladesh on 26 March 1971, a defining moment that began the Liberation War for freedom, dignity and self-determination 🇧🇩✨
🌼This year’s theme “Asha” (আশা) – Hope celebrates the enduring spirit of the Bangladeshi community while looking toward a future of unity, opportunity and cultural pride.
Save the date and celebrate with us.
#BangladeshiHeritageDay #BackToOurRoots #CommunityCelebration #weareqpco
🍀💚 HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! 💚🍀
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in Harpur Square on Sunday for our St Patrick’s Day Celebration! 🇮🇪✨
Despite the windy weather, the square was filled with music, dancing, and community spirit. It was wonderful to see so many people staying to enjoy the live performances and celebrate Irish culture together.
🎶 A huge shoutout to our fantastic musicians who brought the sounds of Ireland to Bedford: The Castle Session Band / Sheryl Hunter / The Black and Gold / The Also-Rans
💃 A round of applause for the brilliant dancers from Stuart Irish Dance, who brought incredible energy to the square!
🎨 Inside the Harpur Suite, visitors explored our Bedford Irish History and Heritage exhibition, featuring beautiful artwork created by participants from Luton Irish Forum and wonderful poems written by pupils from St Thomas More Secondary School and Sixth Form, created during a creative workshop led by writer and community artist Sarah Turner.
🎉 We were delighted to welcome Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford, Mr Ismail Anilmis, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, John Tizard, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Noelette Hanley, CEO of Luton Irish Forum, and Martin Bonner, Headteacher of St Thomas More Secondary School and Sixth Form to the celebrations.
🍽️ A special thank you to Sean O’Donnell and The Kings Arms for serving traditional Irish dishes, along with all the fantastic stalls that helped create the lively atmosphere in the square, including Fealy’s Irish Bakery, Haven Food, Mon’s Creative Facepainting, The Stirrup Bar, and The Co-op Kempston.
👏 We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring the event to life. Especially our organisers Samantha Hughes and Rich Taylor, our volunteers, performers, partners, and community groups who worked so hard behind the scenes.
Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund, Bedford Borough Council, and The Harpur Trust for supporting this celebration, and to Concept Event Solutions for providing stage and sound.
📸 View the full photo album on Facebook or our website
Sláinte! 🍻☘️
#StPatricksDay #Bedford #IrishCulture #CommunitySpirit #BedfordEvents
🍀💚 HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY! 💚🍀
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in Harpur Square on Sunday for our St Patrick’s Day Celebration! 🇮🇪✨
Despite the windy weather, the square was filled with music, dancing, and community spirit. It was wonderful to see so many people staying to enjoy the live performances and celebrate Irish culture together.
🎶 A huge shoutout to our fantastic musicians who brought the sounds of Ireland to Bedford: The Castle Session Band / Sheryl Hunter / The Black and Gold / The Also-Rans
💃 A round of applause for the brilliant dancers from Stuart Irish Dance, who brought incredible energy to the square!
🎨 Inside the Harpur Suite, visitors explored our Bedford Irish History and Heritage exhibition, featuring beautiful artwork created by participants from Luton Irish Forum and wonderful poems written by pupils from St Thomas More Secondary School and Sixth Form, created during a creative workshop led by writer and community artist Sarah Turner.
🎉 We were delighted to welcome Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford, Mr Ismail Anilmis, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, John Tizard, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Noelette Hanley, CEO of Luton Irish Forum, and Martin Bonner, Headteacher of St Thomas More Secondary School and Sixth Form to the celebrations.
🍽️ A special thank you to Sean O’Donnell and The Kings Arms for serving traditional Irish dishes, along with all the fantastic stalls that helped create the lively atmosphere in the square, including Fealy’s Irish Bakery, Haven Food, Mon’s Creative Facepainting, The Stirrup Bar, and The Co-op Kempston.
👏 We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring the event to life. Especially our organisers Samantha Hughes and Rich Taylor, our volunteers, performers, partners, and community groups who worked so hard behind the scenes.
Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund, Bedford Borough Council, and The Harpur Trust for supporting this celebration, and to Concept Event Solutions for providing stage and sound.
📸 View the full photo album on Facebook or our website
Sláinte! 🍻☘️
#StPatricksDay #Bedford #IrishCulture #CommunitySpirit #BedfordEvents
