This year the Market Harborough and the Bowdens Charity (MHBC) has been in existence in one form or another for 450 years. During that time Education has been central to the Charity’s aims and it remains so today.
As many students have just departed to begin life at universities around the UK, MHBC has awarded more than £130,000 in individual grants to help Harborough residents with the costs of further education. It is not just those going to universities, but increasingly those taking vocational qualifications as well.
Last year we were able to report on the story of Daniel Keal, who obtained critical help with his course in Blacksmithing and Metalwork and you can still see Daniel’s video on our YouTube channel. In recent years, we have also helped out those taking courses in the arts such as dancing or training on a musical instrument.
For those students who are thinking about going on to further education in 2021, it is well worthwhile finding out about how MHBC could help you and you can find more information on our website at www.mhbcharity.co.uk.
In 2019, MHBC announced a ground-breaking scheme to support local schools in Market Harborough, Great Bowden and Little Bowden. The £600,000 scheme offered grants of up to £20,000 for three years to support non-core activities in the schools.
The response to this scheme has already been excellent, with local schools showing creativity in the way that they are using the money. In February MHBC Trustees were delighted to attend the launch of Meadowdale School’s Forest School and Outdoor Learning Project which the Charity helped to fund.
At Little Bowden Primary School, the funding is making a real difference to the lives of many of the pupils as it contributes towards work in the area of Social, Emotional and Mental Health. The school recognised that there had been an increase in the number of children and families reporting issues around poor mental health and wellbeing which did not meet the threshold for outside agency support.
With the help of funding from MHBC, the school has been able to develop its own programme of support including an Education Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, a Social, Emotional and Mental Health Professional, a Family Support Worker, a Specialist Children’s Counsellor and a dedicated sensory room.
If you think we can help your school or organisation, please contact us. MHBC issues a regular newsletter about the projects we are involved with. Subscribe via our website or contact the office on 01858 419128. You can also find up-to-date news on Facebook and Instagram.
