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

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

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

Cruse

Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Telephone: 0808 808 1677

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Screening Programs

There are a number of cancer screening programs available in the UK. See if you are eligible for screening.

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Cancer Research - Coronavirus Information

Cancer research UK has put together a page with lots of information to help patients with Cancer handle the Coronavirus pandemic.

Website: Cancer Research UK – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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

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

CHAT Health Service

ChatHealth is a free text messaging service for 11-19 year-olds. Young people can text a school nurse for confidential advice and support about any health related issue.

Find out more

Telephone: 07507 329600

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 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

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.

Download from: 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

My Type 1 Diabetes

The NHS has launched a new online tool to support adults with Type 1 diabetes. It covers topics including managing insulin, carb counting, positive lifestyle change and it answers common questions about living with Type 1 diabetes. You can access this new service completely free-of-charge.

Website: www.mytype1diabetes.nhs.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. We are open to residents of Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 01234 352220

Website: www.elft.nhs.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 917 7650

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

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

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

Relate Bedfordshire

Relate Bedfordshire and Luton has secured funding to launch a FREE counselling service for people who live in Bedford and Central Bedfordshire and are supporting loved ones with dementia.

Telephone: 01234 356350

Website: relatebedsandluton.org.uk

Email: appointments.bedsandluton@relate.org.uk

Silver Line

The Silver Line operates the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer telephone friendship where we match volunteers with older people based on their interests, facilitated group calls, and help to connect people with local services in their area.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

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

Age UK

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

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 4-6pm

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

The Palliative Care Hub

The Palliative Care Hub is a palliative care coordination and support service run by Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice in Bedfordshire. It offers short-term nursing care, personal care and emotional support for individuals with a life-limiting condition and their families.

Telephone: 01767 641 349

Website: www.sueryder.org

Bedfordshire Specialist Palliative Care

The goal of specialist palliative care is to ensure the best quality of life for Adults and Older Adults with life limiting conditions and their families through the direct care of those with complex needs and with links with other specialist services / teams.

Telephone: 01234 310000

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

BPAS - Termination of Pregnancy

Considering Abortion?
We are the UK’s leading abortion care service

Telephone: 03457 30 40 30

Website: www.bpas.org

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, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland

Smokefree Bedfordshire

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

Website: www.smokefreebedfordshire.co.uk

MoreLife

At MoreLife, we’re passionate about supporting adults, children, young people and their families to lead healthier lives. We’ve been successfully delivering weight management programmes in local communities for over 20 years.

Telephone: 0808 208 2340

Website: www.more-life.co.uk

Email: morelife.bedsmk@nhs.net

Referral Form: www.more-life.co.uk/refer

Weight Watchers

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

Website: www.weightwatchers.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