Austim Bedfordshire

A national organisation with information, guidance, training and services for helping patients in regards to everything related to Autism.

Website: www.autismbedfordshire.net

Email: enquiries@autismbeds.org

Child Development Centre

The Child Development Centre provides services to children with development needs and disabilities.

Website: www.earlyhelp.bedford.gov.uk/details

Email: enquiries@thechilddevelopmentcentre.com

Carers in Bedfordshire

Carers in Bedfordshire is a not-for-profit registered charity providing support for carers of family members and friends throughout Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

National Autistic Society

A society that helps patients with Autism.

Website: www.autism.org.uk

Cerebra

Helping and working with children with brain conditions (inc autism) and their families.

Website: www.w3.cerebra.org.uk

Research Autism

Articles which cover every day life challenges people deal with who have autism.

Website: www.researchautism.net

Email: info@researchautism.net

Bereavement Support during COVID-19

A bereavement from COVID-19 is likely to be a very challenging kind of bereavement for most people. Below are a number of local and national support groups that you can access for help.

Bereavement Support Leaflet

Bedford Bereavement Services

Offering support to all bereaved people during our group meetings held monthly at
Norse Rd Crematorium.

Telephone: 01234 718 150

Website: www.bedford.gov.uk

Email: catherine.appleby@bedford.gov.uk

Road Victims Trust

A support service for anyone bereaved or otherwise affected by a road collision.
Covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.

Telephone: 01234 843 345

Website: www.rvtrust.org.uk

Email: enquiries@rvtrust.co.uk

The Compassionate Friends

Supporting bereaved parents and their families after the death of their son or
daughter, at any age and from any cause.

Helpline: 0845 123 2304

Telephone: 01767 689781

Website: www.tcf.org.uk

Way Up

A national charity offering a social and support network for men and women who lost their partner when aged 51 or over.

Website: www.way-up.co.uk

Bedford Diabetes UK

Their aim is to provide support and educate people living with diabetes, as well as their family, friends and anyone else who is interested in knowing more about diabetes. They encourage those interested to attend our group meetings which are a welcoming and social environment for people to discuss diabetes and its effects.

Telephone: 0345 123 2399 

Website: www.bedford.diabetesukgroup

Email: info@diabetes.org.uk

Diabetes UK

Diabetes.co.uk is a community of people with diabetes, family members, friends, supporters and carers, offering their own support and first hand knowledge.

Facebook: @Diabetes.co.uk

Twitter: @Diabetescouk

Website: www.diabetes.co.uk

Carer's Emergency Card

The Central Bedfordshire Carer’s Emergency Card enables you to record what you would like to happen in case of an emergency. The small card can easily be stored in your purse or wallet. If an emergency arises, the card will alert people that you are a carer and will know who to contact to make sure the cared for person is safe.

Telephone: 0300 300 8036

Website: www.centralbedfordshiremcard.gov.uk

Carers in Bedfordshire

Carers in Bedfordshire is a not-for-profit registered charity providing support for carers of family members and friends throughout Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

Info: www.carersinbeds.org.uk/carers-guide

Bedfordshire Carers Guide

A guide for Bedfordshire residents, packed with details of local organisations and services that can help those who care for someone who can’t manage without them because of a disability, condition or long-term illness.

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 0808 808 7777

Website: www.carersuk.org

Email: info@carersuk.org

Bedfordshire Children's Centres

A list of the children’s centres in Bedfordshire. The centres are places where parents with young children can share the challenges and joys of parenthood. They offer a range of activities and support services to help you with all aspects of parenting to make sure your child gets the best start in life.

Telephone: 01234 341 977

Website: www.goldingtonchildrenscentre.org

Email: admin@gfc.gb.com

Families First Bedfordshire

Families First Bedfordshire’s mission is to provide an empowering, community focused service which enables families to thrive. They have a number of projects and services to support us in achieving our mission.

Telephone: 01234 341977

Email: admin@gfc.gb.com

Website: www.familiesfirstbedfordshire.com

Bedford Twins Club - All Multiples Welcome

Regular meetings and a support network across Bedford.

Website: www.bedfordtwinsclub.co.uk

Email: bedfordtwinclub@gmail.com

CHUMS

Child Bereavement, Trauma and Emotional Wellbeing Service offering support to children, young people and their parents or carers.

Telephone: 01525 863 924

Website: www.chums.uk.com

Email: info@chums.uk.com

Early Childhood Partnership

The ECP offers a full range of free services to expectant parents/carers and families with children up to the age of 5. Children Centres are a place where lots of different things happen under one roof. For more information on the services provided by the ECP, you can visit their dedicated website.

Website: ecpbedford.org

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society

BDCPS is a small local charity which provides playschemes and youth clubs for disabled young people (aged 0 to 25) in addition to critical support and funding to families, parents and carers.

Telephone: 01234 351 759

Website: www.bdcps.org.uk

Email: cp.enquiries@bdcps.org.uk

Bedford Women's Centre

Supports women in the community to improve the quality of life for them and their families. Offers one to one support and mentoring, weekly workshops, training courses (both accredited and non-accredited) and support groups for women to promote healthy relationships and eradicate Domestic Abuse.

Telephone: 01234 316 801

Website: www.bedfordwomenscentre.org.uk

British Red Cross

Bedford Independent Living Service, supporting Independence. Please see here for a self referral form.

CAFPH

The support at CAFPH is not only directed to the person living with HIV but to carers and family members who support the services users. The support they offer is structured to suit the whole family.

Telephone: 01582 726 061 or 01582 726 063

Website: www.cafph.org

Email: info@cafph.org

Embroiderer's Guild

The Bedford branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild is open to everyone, including beginners, interested in textile art. The group meets for talks and workshops on traditional and modern subjects.

Website: www.virtual-library.culturalservices.net

Email: ruth.pooley@btinternet.com

Citizens Advice Bedford

Citizens Advice Bedford (CAB) is an independent charitable organisation that helps people resolve their problems by providing information and advice. The service is open to anyone: it is free, independent, confidential and impartial. CAB exists to help those who live or work in the Borough of Bedford.

Telephone: 01234 867 944 (Mon – Thurs, 10:00–13:00)

Website: www.bedfordcab.org.uk

Bedford Foodbank

Provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of food-banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Telephone: 01234 268 569

Website: www.bedford.foodbank.org.uk

Email: info@bedford.foodbank.org.uk

The Prebend Day Centre

Bedford Concern for the Homeless and Rootless (BeCHaR) has been running The Prebend Day Centre since 1993. They take a holistic approach to helping individuals take the next step towards reintegration into the local community. This is achieved through our drop-in centre and support team, which is available to vulnerable men and women (individuals in crisis) aged 16 and over.

Telephone: 01234 365 955

Website: www.prebendcentre.org.uk

Path 2 Recovery

Path to Recovery (P2R) is a one stop service which provides advice, treatment and support to adults 18+ whose lives are affected by drug or alcohol use. They are open to residents of Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 01234 352 220

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

Aquarius

If you’re under 18, support is available from Aquarius

Telephone: 01234 341 977 

Website: www.aquarius.org.uk

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 9177 650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) delivered by East London NHS Foundation Trust is part of a wider network of services that offer help and support to children and young people who have mental health difficulties and their families/carers.

Telephone: 01234 893 301

Website: www.camhs.elft.nhs.uk

CHUMS

CHUMS currently delivers nine services across Luton & Bedfordshire, although not all are available in both areas. Supporting children and young people is at the heart of everything they do, and they are passionate about supporting as many children and young people as possible.

Telephone: 01525 863 924

Website: www.chums.uk.com/bedfordshire-services

Email: info@chums.uk.com

Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery Service

In partnership with East London Foundation Partnership Trust (ELFT) and The University of Bedfordshire, Recovery Colleges offer a wide range of free courses and workshops to everyone living and working in Bedfordshire and Luton, which are recovery focused, and aim to provide strategies and techniques for individuals to use in their daily lives to promote self management.

Telephone: 01234 263 621

Email: elft.recoverycollege@nhs.net

Bedfordshire Wellbeing Services

The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better.

Telephone: 01234 880 400

Website: www.bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Tibbs Dementia Services

They strive to be responsive to the needs and ideas of people with dementia and their carers and actively seek to support people with dementia to have a voice and to be heard.

Telephone: 07795 177 948

Email: contact@tibbsdementia.co.uk

Website: www.tibbsdementia.co.uk

Walking Football

A weekly sociable group for people with dementia (or significant cognitive impairment) and/or their family carers, friends & supporters, to enjoy playing walking football in a supported, understanding setting.

Website: www.tibbsdementia.co.uk/walking-football

Dementia Roadmap

The Bedfordshire Dementia Roadmap provides high quality information about the dementia journey alongside local information about services, support groups and care pathways to assist primary care to support people with dementia and cognitive impairment, their families and carers.

Website: www.dementiaroadmap.info

Alzheimer's UK

The Alzheimer’s Society offers counselling, support, and education for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias’ and their families. On the website, enter your postcode for more detailed information about dementia services and support groups in your area.

Telephone: 0300 222 1122

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

Herbert Protocol

The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme designed to help locate people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and memory problems if they go missing. Referrals can be made by anyone (including the individual) via phone or email.

Telephone: 101

Email: dementia@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk 

Bedford Angel Domino Team

Bedford Angel Domino Club is primarily a social group offering senior citizens within the African and Caribbean Community to participate in activities that take them out of living in isolation and become active within the community.

Telephone: 07774 573 599

Email: angelsdominoteam@gmail.com

Mature Citizens Action Group

To inform those residents of the Borough aged 50 or over on matters affecting their lives. They hold open meetings every two months on the 3rd Monday of the month, at the Salvation Army Hall in Commercial Road, Bedford. Meetings start at 09:30. Application for membership to the Secretary.

Telephone: 01234 314 093

Bedfordshire Memory Navigation Service

Local support for people with memory loss and dementia, and for their carers.

Telephone: 0300 111 9090

Website: www.memoryinbeds.org.uk

Oakley Rural Day Centre

They offer elderly clients the opportunity to meet in a warm, friendly atmosphere and participate in a varied activity programme, including exercise, singing, quizzes and crafts, helping to build confidence and self-esteem. Refreshments are provided throughout the day, as well as a hot lunch.

Website: www.bedford.gov.uk/oakley

Email: info@oakleyrural.org.uk

Care Choices

Information about finding care and support for adults and elderly relatives.

Telephone: 0800 389 2077

Website: www.carechoices.co.uk

Cinnamon Trust

Cinnamon Trust is a National Charity for elderly and terminally ill people and their pets, where the owner needs help walking their dog.

Telephone: 01736 757 900

Website: www.cinnamon.org.uk

Email: volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 470 8090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Dementia

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Email: helpline@dementiauk.org

Age UK Bedfordshire

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. They believe in a world where everyone can love later life and they work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 055 6112

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Mind the Bump

A monthly, women only social group to offer emotional support in a safe environment to address low mood, anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy.  ​

Who can attend:
Any woman living in Bedford who is pregnant and is low in mood, is experiencing or who has experienced depression and/or anxiety.

Venue:
Pine Cones Children’s Centre, Slade Walk, Bedford, MK41 7SA

Time and Date:
1st Thursday of each month 16:00-18:00.

For more information:
Please contact

Telephone: 07919 305 635– Dawn Jones or 01234 341 977 – Children’s Centre Team

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Parkinson's UK

They’re the Parkinson’s charity that drives better care, treatments and quality of life. Together they can bring forward the day when no one fears Parkinson’s.

Telephone: 0808 800 0303

Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Motor Neurone Disease Association

The Motor Neurone Disease Association funds and promotes global research into MND and provides support to people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Telephone: 0808 802 6262

Website: www.mndassociation.org

Email: mndconnect@mndassociation.org

MS Therapy Centre Beds & Northants

A centre of excellence providing professional specialist therapies and support for people with Multiple Sclerosis in a self-help environment that inspires and empowers.

Telephone: 01234 325 781

Website: www.mscentrebedsandnorthants.com

iCaSH

Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health services.

Website: www.icash.nhs.uk

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-20:00.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Smokefree Bedfordshire

Support and services to help you lead a smoke free life.

Website: www.smokefreebedfordshire.co.uk

NHS Smokefree - Mobile App

The Smokefree app can help you stop smoking by providing daily support and motivation. If you stay smokefree for the 4-week programme you’re up to five times more likely to stay quit for good.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

MoreLife Services

Helping you to get healthy, MoreLife Services run many programmes designed to help you and your family make small changes which make a big difference.

Website: www.more-life.co.uk/bedford

Weight Watchers

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. They’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com/uk

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk

GP Services for Young People

A useful guide to accessing GP services for young people, aged 13 – 16 years old.

NHS Young Person Guide

Kooth

A free and anonymous online counselling and emotional wellbeing support service to every child or young person living in Luton, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Website: www.kooth.com