BPL is proud to announce a renewed three-year strategic partnership with Embrace, committing £65,000 to the charity which supports families in Bedfordshire, UK, who are living with disabilities. In celebration of Embrace’s impact, BPL Group CEO Sian Aspinall attended the charity’s 70th anniversary platinum ball in late October.

A woman teaching a young girl how to play a wheelchair ball gameFounded in 1954, Embrace, formerly known as Bedford District Cerebral Palsy Society (BDCPS), is a UK-based charity dedicated to holistically supporting families navigating life with some of the most complex disabilities. The charity offers a variety of services tailored to young people, children, adults, and families all aimed at promoting inclusivity and specifically addressing individual needs. Since 2021, BPL’s support has helped Embrace deliver a range of vital services for people all ages. These include early years support for children under five and their siblings, extraordinary activities for extraordinary young people between five and 18 and monthly clubs for individuals aged 18 and over. Embrace focuses on the whole family with activity days, walking and swimming sessions, wellbeing services as well as grants for specialised equipment. According to the charity, financial support from BPL has been essential in sustaining the charity’s work, particularly given increased challenges with the cost of living.

“The support from BPL enables Embrace to unlock possibilities for the whole family”, says Rose McHugh, Children’s Service Manager at Embrace. “Our summer schemes create smiles and joy for all the young people attending. Being able to supplement these with additional family activities, such as kite flying, train rides, trips to the zoo and picnics means parents and carers can enjoy some of the experiences with their children and spend time with other parents and carers sharing their experiences and helping them feel less alone. Offering these diverse services, led by the needs of the whole family, is what makes Embrace unique. We are grateful to BPL for giving us the flexibility to respond in this way.”

This year, Embrace celebrates its 70th anniversary, a highlight marked by the charity’s Platinum Ball fundraiser held on 26th October. BPL Group CEO Sian Aspinall attended the event, which featured a silent auction and raffle, with proceeds going to the charity. BPL’s continued support of Embrace highlights the importance of partnerships in sustaining the work of small charities, creating a supportive and nurturing network for families with complex disabilities across the country.

“We are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to Embrace for the next three years”, says Matthew Graham, Compliance Director and Charity Committee Chair at BPL. “Since 2021, BPL has proudly supported Embrace, with many of our colleagues volunteering at various events, highlighting our strong dedication to the charity’s mission. This year is especially meaningful, and we are honoured to support a charity that does outstanding work and empowers families within the local community.”

Group CEO Sian Aspinall, also adds, “Embrace is an organisation very close to my heart, having been personally involved with them for many years. Attending the Platinum Ball this October to celebrate Embrace’s 70th anniversary was a truly special milestone, and I am delighted to support such an impactful charity.”

To find out more about Embrace and how you can support its work, visit its website, or follow it on LinkedIn.

Further information on the organisations BPL has supported can be found here.