A VITAL service which supports young people in Bude has been awarded more than £120,000 to fund its work within the local area.

Approaching its sixth anniversary, the Pearl Exchange has been a vibrant, welcoming hub where 18 to 35 year olds can access free creative, educational and wellbeing workshops, courses and events since 2020.

The charity was established following the tragic death of 19-year-old Pearl Bamford. As such, the Exchange was created to ensure that no young person in the region feels alone, unsupported or without opportunities to thrive. In the past five years, the charity has grown from a pilot project into a trusted and highly regarded registered charity, now welcoming hundreds of young adults each year.

Now, the charity’s work has been recognised and supported through The National Lottery Reaching Community Fund, which has awarded nearly £125,000 over three years to the organisation.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The Pearl Exchange exists because too many young adults in our region lack access to opportunities to build their confidence, develop skills and feel part of a community. As a result of this, combined with poor transport links and lack of employment opportunities, the mental health crisis is growing.”

In an effort to combat this, the charity curates a monthly changing programme within four core pillars: work, wellness, music and art.

Its delivery model combines creative engagement with high-quality mental health support. Young adults can even access nine free counselling sessions through the charity, which can be provided in a matter of weeks, compared to the 18-month wait for statutory support.

Thanks to the funding, the charity has said that it will be able to continue its important work within the community.

The grant will fund essential overheads like key staff roles, rent, training, outreach and marketing giving it the stable foundation needed to deliver its expanding workshop programme and strengthen long-term sustainability.

On top of this, the Exchange has expressed that the funds will enable it to run a monthly changing programme of free creative, educational and wellbeing workshops each week.

There are also plans to trial a new outreach programme in an effort to support those living in rural areas and to create more volunteering and leadership opportunities for young people in local communities.

Fliss Loxley, managing director of The Pearl Exchange, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to receive this support from The National Lottery Community Fund. For a small and relatively new charity, this represents an extraordinary moment of growth and recognition. It gives us the breathing space and stability we need to continue offering free, life-changing opportunities to young adults who often have nowhere else to go.

“Most importantly, it allows us to dream bigger - to build a sustainable future and widen our reach across Cornwall and Devon. We’re deeply grateful to every National Lottery player. Their contribution means young people in our community will have a place to belong, to express themselves, to be supported and to thrive.”