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Beds YMCA has changed its name to IMPAKT housing & support as a way of creating its own brand name.

The independent charity has a turnover of £5 million a year, 80 staff and is the largest charitable provider of housing for the homeless in Bedfordshire

It operates as a housing association with more than 75 per cent of its income coming from rents - but it relies on charitable support for much of its other work.

Paul Hunt, centre, with the team at IMPAKT Interiors - the upcycling shop in The Arcade

CEO Paul Hunt says: “We provide 36 per cent of all accommodation to the homeless in the county. More than this, we offer guidance and courses to encourage people to go on to lead independent lives.

“We help a diverse range of people aged from 16 to those in their 60s.”

In addition, IMPAKT for Young People provides school holiday clubs as well as pre and after school clubs for children aged from five to 16.

The newly branded IMPAKT housing & support locations include:

IMPAKT Interiors, The Arcade - where upcycled items are sold

IMPAKT Food, The Church Arcade - where 200 people a week collect groceries

Upcycling shop in Bedford's Arcade gets a new name as charity for the homeless creates its own brand