Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

For Paul Bowen-James BEM, Founder and Chief Executive of Kids in Action, a charity created to give children with disabilities a place where they feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves, this charity is not just an organisation. It's a lifeline, a community, and for many, a second home.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Kids in Action has grown from a small youth club of 8 - 10 children into a thriving, inclusive community supporting 450 - 500 service users every week. Today, it is one of Bedfordshire’s most remarkable charities; built not from strategy documents or funding pipelines, but from lived experience, compassion, and an unwavering determination to make sure no child feels alone.

A Vision Born from Lived Experience

Paul’s childhood in North London was marked by severe bullying and a lack of safe spaces. The only haven he remembers was a small church youth club.

“That little club was the only place I felt safe,” Paul recalls. “That feeling never left me, and it’s what inspired Kids in Action. I wanted to build that same safe haven for others.”

In 1995, Kids in Action was officially born when Paul took over an empty warehouse in Dunstable and, drawing on his background as a builder, set about transforming it himself. What started out as a shell has now evolved into a large, fully owned, custom-designed activity centre that many consider a second home.

A Safe Haven That Feels Like Family

Walk into Kids in Action and you won’t find a typical community centre. You’ll find:

• A 40-seater café where parents form lifelong friendships
• Activity spaces designed for children and adults with disabilities
• A sensory room, games areas and quiet spaces
• A warm, welcoming atmosphere where “members” quickly become “family”

Paul says it’s often the simple things that mean the most.

“One mum told me, ‘I love this place because it’s the only time I can go to the toilet in peace.’ That really hit me. Parents can finally breathe here as they know we’ve got their children and they’re safe.”

That sense of relief, acceptance and community is at the heart of everything Kids in Action does.

A Lifeline for Families, and a Legacy Beyond Bedfordshire

Over the years, the charity has expanded far beyond its original remit.

Kids In Action now owns two fully adapted holiday properties: Ellie’s Haven, a six bedroom home in Cornwall, and an accessible lodge in Norfolk, providing free breaks for families with children who have complex needs.

Internationally, the charity has inspired partnerships in Romania, Uganda and Kenya through its newly formed special needs Rotaract club - the only one of its kind in the UK and something Paul describes as “one of the proudest moments” of his career.

“Our members have sent over a thousand items to Ukraine, hundreds of coats to UK families in need, and football kits to Uganda and Kenya. They’re doing extraordinary things.”

That international spirit of connection deepened further when a Rotary contact in Romania sought Paul’s guidance to help establish a similar inclusive centre there.

“We’ve even raised funds to send sensory toys to support their children. It’s amazing to think our little charity in Dunstable is inspiring others abroad.” 

Ambition With Heart: What’s Next for Kids in Action

Even after three decades, Paul’s ambition for Kids in Action remains rooted in real community needs.

The charity has begun working with local schools to provide alternative provision for students who struggle in, or are excluded from, mainstream schools. “There are still so many children falling through the cracks,” he explains. “Schools can rent space within our building and when the children learn here -  in a place where they feel safe and supported - everything changes.”

The charity plans to expand this provision, offering more teaching space within the centre, along with staff support for schools managing increasingly complex needs.

Paul is also turning his attention to the other end of the age spectrum, launching a monthly over-65s Sunday friendship group to support isolated, older members of the local community.

As Paul puts it “I know how important connection is. And we already have the facilities - so why not use them to help more people?

These ambitions are supported by two major National Lottery grants, helping Paul develop a succession plan and build a team who can continue the charity’s work long into the future.

A Proud Chamber Member and the SME Awards Charity Partner 2026

Kids in Action has a longstanding relationship with the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce that stretches back a quarter of a century. Their relationship is built on trust and mutual support.

“The Chamber has always been supportive,” Paul says. “They’ve been with us through so much.”

That relationship takes a special step forward next year, as Kids in Action is the official Charity Partner for the 2026 SME Bedfordshire Business Awards.

A Legacy of Kindness, Built One Family at a Time

In 2016, Paul received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his service - a proud and thoroughly deserved moment. But for Paul, the real reward is far simpler.

“Seeing a child smile, or a parent relax for the first time in days when they walk through our doors,” he says quietly. “Seeing young people safe, happy, belonging. That’s what matters and what keeps us going.”

After 30 years, thousands of families supported, and countless lives changed, Kids in Action remains what it has always been: a safe haven, built by someone who knows what it means to need one.

Visit www.kidsinaction.org.uk to find out more, tour the centre, volunteer or explore ways you and your business can support their work.

To join the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, visit www.chamber-business.com or call 01582 522448.