Bedford Bereavement Services

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

Telephone Cathy Appleby: 01234 718150

Email: catherine.appleby@bedford.gov.uk

Website: www.bedford.gov.uk

Bedford Hospital

Provides support and information to families
of the deceased.

Telephone: 01234 792163 or 01234 355122 X4621

Website: www.bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

CHUMS – Child Bereavement Service

Chums was created to meet the needs of children, young people and their families following the death of someone close.

Telephone: 01525 863924

Website: www.chums.uk.com

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

Cruse Bereavement Care

Individual counselling (plus drop-in centres in Bedford, Biggleswade & Luton) is offered to all bereaved adults, whether recently bereaved or many years past.

Telephone: Bedford 01234 340321

Email: crusebedfordshire@btinternet.com

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

The Luton & Dunstable Hospital

Provide support and information to families of the deceased including those affected by issues surrounding post mortem procedures.

Telephone: Margaret Malcolm Bereavement Support Officer 0845 1270127
Telephone: Chaplaincy 01582 497370

Keech Hospice Care

The Bereavement Service offers support to the families and friends of those referred to Keech Hospice Care, representing both the Adult Hospice and Children’s Hospice.

Telephone: 01582 492339

Relate

Offers counselling to individuals, couples, families and young people who are experiencing the impact of change, loss and bereavement.

Telephone: 01234 356350

Road Victims Trust

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

Telephone: 01234 843345

Email: enquiries@rvtrust.co.uk

Website: www.rvtrust.org.uk

Samaritans

If you are in emotional distress, despairing or feeling suicidal, talking can make all the
difference.

Telephone: Bedford 01234 211211

Telephone: Luton 01582 720666

Telephone: UK 08457 909090

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website: www.samaritans.org

Sands

We offer support to those whose baby has died through late miscarriage, stillbirth or neo-natal death.

Telephone: 07900 106543
Website: www.uk-sands.org

Sue Ryder Bereavement Service

This service offers bereavement support to families and friends following a death at St John’s Hospice or in the community following a terminal illness.

Telephone: 01767 642429

Victim Support

This group offers a service to those bereaved by homicide or to others who have been affected by the crime.

Telephone: 0845 30 30 900

Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

WAY Foundation (Widowed and Young)

A national charity offering a social and support network for men and women who lost their partner when aged 50 or under.

Website: www.widowedandyoung.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

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: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

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

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

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 341977

Email: admin@gfc.gb.com

Website: www.goldingtonchildrenscentre.org

Families First Bedfordshire

Families have always come first and are at the heart of the organisation. Over the years the charity has helped families in the local Bedfordshire area, to build on their individual strengths and empower parents/carers to develop stronger family relationships. 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

CHUMS

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

Telephone: 01525863924

Email: info@chums.uk.com

Website: www.chums.uk.com

Vaccination planner

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

Download from: www.nhs.uk

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

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 351759

Email: cp.enquiries@bdcps.org.uk

Website: www.bdcps.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 268569

Email: info@bedford.foodbank.org.uk

Website: bedford.foodbank.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 316801

Website: bedfordwomenscentre.org.uk

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 01582726063

Email: info@cafph.org

Website: cafph.org

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 867944 (Mon – Thurs, 10am – 1pm)

Website: www.bedfordcab.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 365955

Website: www.prebendcentre.org.uk

Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership

The Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (BDAP) brings together key agencies across Bedfordshire to raise awareness, to deliver services and to work together to improve our local response to domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse 24 hour Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Website: www.bedsdv.org.uk

The Emerald Centre

The Emerald Centre Sexual Assault Referral Centre offers free support and practical help to anyone in Bedfordshire and Luton who has experienced sexual abuse. The service is completely confidential and you do not have to give any personal information in order to get help.

Telephone: ​01234 897052

Website: www.emeraldcentre.org

Santosh Asian Women’s Refuge

The Asian Women’s Foundation supports Asian women. The objectives are: to inform, organise advise and involve Asian women in Bedfordshire on the issues which affect them; to provide safe, confidential and supporting service for Asian Women who are victims of domestic violence and mental harassment.

2 Derwent Place, Bedford, MK42 9HY

Telephone: 01234 405 916

Website: www.balaknath.org

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. We are open to residents of Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 01234 352220

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

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

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 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

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

Caraline

Services include a full assessment, a 10 session Eating Behaviour Group, individual sessions, and support groups for both clients and their carers.

Telephone: 01582 457474

Email: admin@caraline.com

Website: www.caraline.com

Age UK Bedfordshire

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

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

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

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 573599

Email: angelsdominoteam@gmail.com

Website: facebook.com/angeldominoteam

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: dementiaroadmap.info

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

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 9.30am. Application for membership to the Secretary.

Telephone: Rachel Kirkham, 01234 314093

Silver Line

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

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Tibbs Dementia Services

Tibbs Dementia Services is a Community Interest Company dedicated to providing a range of accessible services and activities for people living with dementia and their carers within the local community. 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 177948

Email: contact@tibbsdementia.co.uk

Website: www.bedford.gov.uk/tibbs_dementia

Care Choices

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

Telephone: 0800 389 2077

Website: www.carechoices.co.uk

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

Helpful Contacts at Diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with a neurological condition, you can get confidential help and advice from charities as well as from medical services. The charities listed offer helplines staffed by trained advisers who can offer help with medical issues, employment and benefits, health and social care services, and emotional support. They can also tell you about local services.

Parkinson's UK

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

Telephone: 0808 800 0303

Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

MS Society

Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Telephone: 0808 800 8000

Website: www.mssociety.org.uk

Huntington's Disease Association

We exist to support people affected by HD and to provide information and advice to professionals.

Telephone: 0151 331 5444

Website: www.hda.org.uk

PSP Association

The PSP Association provides practical help & advice for people with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy & Cortico Basal Degeneration.

Telephone: 0300 0110 122

Website: www.pspassociation.org.uk

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 325781

Website: mscentrebedsandnorthants.com

Headway UK

Headway is the UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury. Through its network of more than 125 groups and branches across the UK, it provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, as well as to professionals in the health and legal fields.

Telephone: 0808 800 2244

Website: www.headway.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

Email: mndconnect@mndassociation.org

Website: www.mndassociation.org

Stroke Association

We are the UK’s leading charity dedicated to conquering stroke.

Telephone: 0303 3033 100

Email: info@stroke.org.uk

Website: www.stroke.org.uk

Carers in Beds

Carers in Bedfordshire strive to identify and support all carers of family and friends. We will enhance their health and well-being by offering specialist support according to their needs and wishes.

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Email: contact@carersinbeds.org.uk

Website: www.mndassociation.org

Address: Carers in Bedfordshire, Suite K, Sandland Court, Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford MK41 7PZ

Others

Website: www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
Telephone: 01494 601300

Website: www.ataxia.org.uk
Telephone: 0845 644 0606

Website: www.mstrust.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 032 3839

Website: www.msatrust.org.uk
Telephone: 0333 323 4591

Bedford Integrated Service

The integrated health centre offers a counselling service to anyone of any age.

Telephone: 07549 536 770

Email: wendymeniru@gmail.com

Website: www.bedfordintegrativehealth.co.uk

Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service

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

Telephone: 01234 880400

Website: www.bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk

RELATE Bedfordshire

Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship support. They are a local charity serving Bedfordshire and Luton.

Telephone: 01234 356350

Website: www.relatebedsandluton.org.uk

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

Recovery College

The Recovery College is part of the Bedforshire and Luton Mental Health Academy. The educational workshops and courses they offer all focus on recovery and wellbeing. They are mainly designed and delivered in partnership with people with lived and professional experience, as co-production is a key element in their services.

Please read their current Prospectus, which lists all of the courses they are currently running and has information on how to join one.

Recovery College Prospectus, Autumn/Winter 2017

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

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

iCaSH

Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health services.

Website: www.icash.nhs.uk

Sexual Health Help Line

The Family Planning Association Sexual health help line can give you confidential information and advice.

Telephone: 0845 122 8690

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

They are a sexual health charity. They give straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 0300 1237123

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Smokefree Bedfordshire

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

Website: www.smokefreebedfordshire.co.uk

Quit with help

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

Website: www.quitwithhelp.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

BeeZee Bodies

Helping you to get healthy, BeeZee Bodies run loads of programmes designed to help you and your family make small changes which make a big difference.

Website: www.beezeebodies.com

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

Weight Watchers

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

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

BLESMA

A charity which supports limbless veterans (amputees or paralysis). They give practical advice and personal service – a member will come out to see the veteran needing assistance. They provide guidance and help.

Telephone: 01480 469216

Website: blesma.org

Burma Star Association

The Burma Star Association exists to relieve need, hardship or distress among men and women who served in HM and Allied Forces or the Nursing Services in the Burma Campaign of the 1939-45 war or are otherwise entitled to be holders of the Burma Star or Pacific Star with Burma Clasp and for their widows, widowers or dependants.

Website: www.burmastar.org.uk

Combat Stress

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity. They treat a range of mental health conditions including PTSD, depression and anxiety. They also help with alcoholism.

Telephone: 0800 1381619

Website: www.combatstress.org.uk

Help for Heroes - Big White Wall

Free to all UK serving personnel, veterans and their families, Big White Wall is a safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what’s troubling them, guided by trained professionals.

Website: www.bigwhitewall.com

Hidden Wounds

A psychological well being service for veterans & families; part of help for heroes. Hidden Wounds provides free and confidential support to Ex-Service Personnel, their families and the families of those still serving, who are living with anxiety, depression, stress, anger or who wish to change their drinking habits.

Telephone: 0808 2020144

Website: www.helpforheroes.org.uk/hidden-wounds/

The Ripple Pond

Peer-led, self-help groups meet regularly with the main aim of providing a space to express feelings safely, in a non-judgemental environment, ​​where ​​everyone can be heard. The groups are here for parents, spouses, siblings – indeed any adult family member of a veteran or a UK serving personnel who feels they would like support.

Website: www.theripplepond.org

SSAFA - Bedfordshire

SSAFA provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.

Telephone: 0800 500 3063

Email:  bedfordshire@ssafa.org.uk

Website: www.ssafa.org.uk

Walking with the Wounded - Head Start

Walking With The Wounded supports a pathway for vulnerable veterans to re-integrate back into society and sustain their independence. At the heart of this journey is employment. It is like an IAPT service but for veterans, with virtually no waiting time – up to 12 sessions of face to face counselling.

Website: www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk