IMPACT is the working title of Bedford Area Schools Christian Support Trust (BASCST), an initiative offering support to schools in the Bedford area. Our primary aim is to help teachers, schoolchildren and young people learn more about the Christian faith.
Overview
The Trust was established in 1990 to employ schools workers and has built strong relationships with local schools over the many years of operation. It is independently supported by individuals from a wide representation of local churches who donate time and money to develop and deliver our services.
Governance
IMPACT is governed by Trustees who represent churches from a wide range of denominations. The Trustees bring experience as teachers, charity leaders, finance and small business owners ensuring the Trust operates safely and effectively.
What IMPACT does
IMPACT operates as a Local Ministry Partner of the national organisation Scripture Union. The work of IMPACT specifically focuses on supporting schools in learning and experiencing more about the Christian faith. We believe this supports schools when evaluating the Ofsted requirements in spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students and for church schools to help address the judgements in the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).
Our Supporters
Our supporters are drawn from churches in the Bedford area and provide regular financial donations to resource the work. This enables the Trust to employ workers who are the face of IMPACT and the main point of contact with a school.
Supporting the work of IMPACT is not only through financial means. Churches also offer:
- Venues for events
- Prayer groups
- Hosting meetings
- Publicity material
- Office space
Employed Schools Workers
Our School’s Workers are the face of IMPACT. They will usually be the schools’ first point of contact and aim to build positive relationships with each school.
When a school wishes to explore working with IMPACT, our workers will be happy to come and discuss ideas. Working with you they can plan appropriate activities for your school.
Take a look at what we offer to get a taste of how we can work together.
Trish Horwood
Trish Horwood joined the team in January 2017 to work in lower, middle and primary schools. She was previously a teaching assistant in a local school and has an Open University degree in psychology.
Becky Guynn
Becky Guynn joined the team in September 2019 to work in primary schools. She was previously Children’s Minister/Children and Youth Worker in two local churches. Those roles enabled her to work with some local schools; providing assemblies, RE lessons, lunch clubs, schools visits and more. She has also previously supported Impact with Lifepath and Footsteps of John Bunyan events. She very much enjoys working with local schools under Impact.
Hayley Bailey
Hayley joined Trish and Becky as primary schools workers in January 2022. She is very keen to get in to schools after the pandemic – but has to be patient! Previously, she was a children and family worker at a church in Bedford so already has familiarity with some schools in the area. She has qualifications in drama, theatre and children’s evangelism.
Volunteers
Some of our activities are supported or run by volunteers. These are Christians from local churches who are able to give time and energy to deliver activities such as Open the Book and lunch clubs. Once the link has been made with our employed workers, a volunteer may be introduced to deliver the work. They will use pre-prepared resources that have been shared with the school and will be supported by the Schools Worker.
Occasionally, a local church may approach IMPACT to explore how they might engage with local schools. Here, IMPACT can facilitate appropriate links to enhance the relationship for learning.
Safeguarding
IMPACT cares for the overall welfare of children and young people and operates a robust Safeguarding Policy. All trustees, employed workers and volunteers are required to work to this policy. Contact us if you would like a copy of IMPACTs Safeguarding Policy.
FAQs
Q: Do your workers fulfil the statutory Safeguarding requirements?
A: Yes. All our workers are DBS registered and complete safeguarding training delivered by CCPAS. The training is equivalent to the previously defined level 2 training and has been accepted by LSCB’s as suitable for designated staff in schools.
Q: Do you charge for your services?
A: The charity is funded by local donations and we are pleased to offer most of our services free of charge to schools
Q: Do you represent a particular denomination of the Christian faith?
A: No. Our workers, past and present, have been drawn from a range of different traditions. The charity’s trustees are also drawn from a range of local churches and denominations
Q: Will you try to convert the children to Christianity?
A: Absolutely not. We come to school as visiting Christians to explain what the Christian faith is about.
Q: What about Mentoring and Self Esteem groups – do you promote Christianity in those sessions?
A: Not explicitly. Mentoring and Self Esteem sessions can be run by anyone and are not specifically Christian. However, we offer this to schools because, motivated by a personal faith we have a strong desire to see children become the best they can be.
Q: What is your privacy policy?
A: Click this link to see our policy.