Speech by Morris Johns, Chair of Trustees

BRASS was delighted to be chosen by the Harpur Trust as their charity partner for the Bedford Independent Everyday Heroes event. The Harpur Trust has supported BRASS for many years and we are grateful to them for their ongoing funding. The event was held at the Quarry Theatre on Thursday 7th May and Morris delivered a wonderful speech to an audience of around 250 people. As the Editor of the Bedford Independent said ‘he had the whole room hanging off his every word - he spoke with such passion and emotion’.

Here is the speech in full:

Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Tonight, we gather not merely to celebrate amazing individuals and organisations, but to acknowledge a truth that lies at the heart of every thriving community: that it has a heartbeat — and ours beats strongest when we choose compassion.

At BRASS, we offer free advice to refugees and asylum seekers in Bedfordshire. Our team provides specialist support with immigration matters and a range of other issues

including benefits, education, employment and housing. We have English classes, social events like Christmas party, seaside visits.

We meet people who have crossed deserts of fear, oceans of uncertainty, and borders drawn by history rather than humanity. Yet they arrive carrying something astonishing — the unbroken thread of hope.

Hope that whispers, “I will begin again.” Hope that survives storms. Hope that refuses to be extinguished.

This award is not a trophy; it is a story. A story woven from many journeys, many voices, many acts of quiet courage.

This award belongs to them- to the mother who learned new words to advocate for her child,

to the young man who rebuilt his life from a single suitcase,

to the families who, despite all they have endured, still greet us with warmth and grace.

But it also belongs to people of Bedfordshire —

to the volunteers who give their time like a loving gift,

to the staff who carry heavy stories with gentle hands,

to the neighbours who open their doors and say, “You are welcome here.”

We at Brass, during some dark periods, remind ourselves, that every lesson taught, every form completed, every smile shared, becomes a small candle of kindness. And candle by candle, we light a path where dignity can walk freely.

These awards today tell us something simple and profound: When a community chooses welcome, it becomes a place of healing.

I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of our wonderful hardworking staff, amazing volunteers, and most of all our clients. I accept this with a promise — to keep standing beside those who seek safety, to keep challenging the shadows of injustice, and to keep building a Bedfordshire where every person can belong, not as a guest, but as a neighbour.

Thank you for seeing the humanity in the people we serve.

Thank you for believing that compassion is strength.

And thank you for reminding us that hope grows brightest when we carry it together.