In 2020, The Pearl Exchange was founded, a year after Pearl Bamford died aged 19. Since then, the organisation has offered a creative, inclusive and vibrant hub for young people in and around Bude.
Now, five years on, the organisation has been looking back on what it has achieved so far, with Pearl’s mother, Rose reflecting on their decision to establish The Pearl Exchange.
A spokesperson from the organisation said: “From the start, we always wanted to make a place that Pearl would have loved: a creative, inclusive and vibrant hub.
“We started during lockdown, limited to online workshops, before we were able to move into the Pitch N Putt building in October 2020. We hosted a Taster Week, including free creative workshops, inspiring talks, counselling and more. In just a week it became clear how much the community needed a place like this: a place to meet others, learn skills and feel comfortable to be themselves - all for free!
“In 2021, we hosted an eight week pilot programme which saw the birth of some of our most popular workshops (including Arty Friday which we still run every week!). Again, the feedback was incredible and we knew we couldn’t stop there. So in January 2022, we began running a year-round programme of workshops and events for 18-35 year olds, as well as funding free counselling sessions through Counselling for Social Change.”
However, by 2024, the group had outgrown its space and a big renovation project brought a new and exciting home for the group.
The spokesperson continued: “The Pitch N Putt provided us with a great base to grow as an organisation, but we soon outgrew it, needing more space, more security and a more central location. In July 2024, after a big renovation project, we moved into our current home on Broadclose Hill. We love it here!
“It’s been such a joy to watch The Pearl Exchange grow over the years. Since we started, we have welcomed an incredible 1,246 young people through our doors. So many friendships have been made here, so much knowledge has been shared - we are really grateful to everyone who makes this place what it is!
“A huge thank you to our Pearl Exchangers, our trustees, our staff and volunteers, our supporters and funders. We couldn’t do any of this without you.”
In a video marking the anniversary, Pearl’s mother has remembered Pearl and the reasons they established the group.
She said: “When we started up The Pearl Exchange, Pearl naturally became the guiding star and guiding light to what we did. So, we’re always thinking, ‘would she have come to that?’ or ‘would she have liked that?’ and I think Pearl would love it. I think she would be scared of coming too; I think there is a lot of anxiety about coming through that door, and I think she would be one of those people too, thinking everyone would be better than her, but it’s not like that!”