A CHARITY is remembering the life of a local teen by continuing to support Bude’s young people.

Following the tragic death of their 19-year-old daughter, Pearl, in 2019, after she struggled to access the vital mental health support that she needed, Rose and Johnny Bamford wanted to wanted to create a space she would have loved, somewhere welcoming and creative, a little bit edgy and punky, and importantly, somewhere that didn’t feel like a service.

That space became The Pearl Exchange, an award-winning charity based in Bude, which provides support for 18 to 35-year-olds across Cornwall and Devon.

A spokesperson from The Pearl Exchange explained: “We exist because being a young adult can be hard, and in rural areas there are added challenges, isolation, limited transport, fewer opportunities and sometimes simply nowhere to go or meet people.

“The Pearl Exchange offers an antidote to that. A welcoming, vibrant space where young adults can come together, try something new, meet people and build confidence. Our free, carefully curated programme is built around work, wellness, music and art - from creative workshops and practical skills to talks, events and opportunities to explore what might come next.”

Nearly six years on, the charity continues to put Pearl at the heart of everything that it does, marking what would have been her 27th birthday this week to reflect on the its aims and explore how it can do even more for the region’s young people.

“It feels fitting that Pearl’s birthday week has also been a week of visioning,” the spokesperson continued.

“We hosted our Advisory Board meeting, bringing 10 young people together to help shape our programme for the next 6 months. and a lunchtime consultation around Now What? - a new career-focused strand we’re developing with young people, looking at how we can support them as they work out what might come next.

“We’ve also been getting out and about. Our recent summer tour has taken The Pearl Exchange into five new locations, and we’re now thinking bigger - to build on our success of this year and take the Pearl Exchange magic to more remote places and connect with a broader group of young people.”

One young person described the difference the charity has already made to their experience of living locally, they said: “The Pearl Exchange is an amazing organisation run by inspiring people. They are kind, empathic, and embody the very best of community spirit. It is an amazing space which has transformed my experience of living in Bude. I am really, truly grateful.”

On what would have been Pearl’s 27th birthday, the charity says its a ‘good moment’ to remember it’s roots.

“Nearly six years in, we’re growing and changing, but the important bit is making sure we don’t lose what makes us who we are: welcoming, creative, edgy and shaped by the young people who use it.

“Pearl would have been 27 this week. It feels like a good moment to remember where we come from, while being excited about where we go next.”