Join the launch of the Social Recruitment Advocacy Group (SRAG) South Midlands and the first Social Value Charter signing.

Tuesday 8 December 2026, 12 noon to 3.15pm

The Atrium, National College for Logistics, Chartmoor Road, Leighton Buzzard LU7 4TN

The South Midlands is about to see a wave of new jobs, from Universal’s resort at Kempston Hardwick to East West Rail and a proposed new town at Tempsford. At the same time, around 8,000 young people aged 18 to 24 across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes are claiming unemployment benefits.

Convened by The Bedford College Group in partnership with PeoplePlus, SRAG South Midlands is the first local collective within the UK Social Recruitment Advocacy Group. It will bring together employers, educators, councils, health partners and community organisations with one shared aim: to reduce economic inactivity across the area, starting with young people.

Led by SRAG chair Rt. Hon. Anne Milton, the afternoon includes:

reflections from Bedford College Group’s leadership on why they are convening the collective

spotlight sessions on care leavers and young people not in education, employment or training, on digital poverty with the Digital Poverty Alliance, and on routes into logistics and construction

a roundtable to agree where the collective should focus in its first year

the first public signing of the South Midlands Social Value Charter

an optional tour of the National College for Logistics

Lunch is served on arrival. Please let us know about any dietary or accessibility requirements when you register, so we can make sure everyone is catered for. Places are limited, so we recommend booking early.

Description supplied by the event organiser.