Bedford’s Member of Youth Parliament has unveiled a new initiative aimed at changing perceptions of young people and providing practical study support for students across the borough.
Campaign seeks to counter negative stereotypes and help GCSE and A‑level students
Anidunnuloluwa “Ani” Anigilaje, Bedford’s 16-year-old Youth MP, is leading the Flip the Narrative movement. The campaign combines a positive messaging drive with a tangible resource-sharing scheme called Revise and Recycle, delivered in partnership with Bedford Borough Libraries.
The scheme will see donation boxes placed in a number of local libraries from Friday 24 July. Donors are invited to give unused textbooks, flashcards and revision guides; collected materials will then be redistributed to students and families who need extra support.
“The movement seeks to ensure young people are not defined by assumptions, but by the positive contributions they make.”
Where and when to donate or get help
Donation boxes will be installed at several library branches around the borough to maximise access and reach. A drop-in launch event is scheduled at Bedford Central Library on Friday 24 July from 14:00 to 15:30. As an incentive, the first ten visitors who leave a donation during the launch will receive a £5 gift card for a local café.
- Scheme start date: Friday 24 July
- Drop-in launch: Bedford Central Library, 14:00–15:30
- Donations: textbooks, flashcards, revision guides
The library locations taking part are listed below to help residents plan donations or to find redistributed materials once available.
| Library | Notes |
|---|---|
| Kempston Library | Donation box from 24 July |
| Bromham Library | Donation box from 24 July |
| Wootton Library | Donation box from 24 July |
| Putnoe Library | Donation box from 24 July |
| Bedford Central Library | Donation box and launch event 24 July, 14:00–15:30 |
How to get involved or find out more
Organisers say the scheme is intended to make revision materials accessible to those who may otherwise struggle to afford them, while also emphasising the achievements and agency of young people in Bedford.
Young people interested in getting involved, or residents who want more information, can contact the Bedford Borough Council Engagement and Development Team by email at voice@bedford.gov.uk or by phone on 07468 472394. Ani will serve as Bedford’s UK Youth Parliament representative until 2028 while she pursues the two-year term representing the borough.
The initiative sits alongside wider efforts to support pupils preparing for GCSEs and A‑levels, offering both material assistance and a platform seeking to rebalance public perceptions of local youth.
