Flitwick Carers Café

The Flitwick Café is held on the 4th Monday of the month 1pm – 4pm at Flitwick Sea Cadet Unit, Althorpe Close, Flitwick MK45 1HY.

Entrance is £1 per person (under5’s are free).

Email: jane.baker@carersinbeds.org.uk

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Bedford Borough Council

Carers are entitled to request an assessment of their needs and aspirations. This may lead to support for carers to take a break to pursue social, work and educational opportunities.

Website: www.bedford.gov.uk

Email: care@bedford.gov.uk

Telephone: 01234 267422

Carers Breaks

Carers can apply for funds in order to take a break from their caring role or access a training course. Examples include a course of holistic treatments, a theatre break or an overnight stay.

Carers can apply directly to Carers in Bedfordshire through their carers breaks coordinator or can make an application through another organisation, such as Rethink or The Alzheimer’s Society.

Carers Breaks are funded by NHS Bedfordshire but is managed by Carers in Bedfordshire.

Email: linda.dimichele@carersinbeds.org.uk

Telephone: 01767 315079

Carers in Bedfordshire

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

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

Email: contact@carersinbeds.org.uk

Telephone: 01234 214914

Rethink Bedfordshire Carer Support

Provide support and information to those caring for someone with a mental health illness of working age in Bedfordshire (excluding Luton).

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: beds.carers@rethink.org

Telephone: 01582 470986

Spurgeons Young Carers Project (4-18 years)

The project supports children and young people who are caring for another person within their family. The cared for person must be living at the same address.

Website: www.spurgeons.org

Email: jlightfoot@spurgeons.org

Telephone: 01234 857826

Central Bedfordshire Carers Card

The Central Bedfordshire Carers 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/wallet, bag and in the Lifeline tub in your fridge. When people find the card they will know who to contact.

Telephone: 0300 300 8036

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.

Website: www.carersuk.org

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Bosom Pals (Bedford) Breast Cancer Support Group

Bosom Pals is a self help and support group for anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. They meet monthly in a relaxed, informal and friendly atmosphere and provide emotional support, practical advice and information.

Where: Transfiguration Church hall, Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8BQ

When: Second Wednesday of every month 7:30pm to 9:45pm

Website: www.bosom-pals.org.uk

Telephone: 01234 214455

Macmillan Cancer Support

Right from the moment you’re diagnosed, through your treatment and beyond, Macmillan are a source of support, giving you the energy and inspiration to help you feel more like yourself.

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Telephone: 0808 808 00 00

Autism Bedfordshire

Autism Bedfordshire provides information, advice, emotional and practical support for parents/carers of children/young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions.

Website: www.autismbedfordshire.net

Email: enquiries@autismbeds.org

Telephone: 01234 350704

Vaccination planner

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

Download from: www.nhs.uk

Central Bedfordshire Parent Partnership Service

Free, confidential, impartial support & advice for parents, carers, children & young people in relation to Special Educational Needs & Disability.

Website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Email: cbcsendpypps@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 300 8088

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

Contact the Elderly

Contact the elderly offer a lifeline of friendship to thousands of people aged 75 or over.

They have small tea party groups across England and Wales, made up of guests and volunteers.

One Sunday afternoon a month, each group meets for tea, cake and company. Their hosts take turns to welcome guests and volunteers into their home for a couple of hours. This service is free and transport is provided by local volunteer drivers.

If you know of someone who would benefit from coming along to a tea party, or would like more information, please get in touch.

Freephone number: 0800 716 543

Website: www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk

Email: guest@contact-the-elderly.org.uk

BeeZee Tots

BeeZee Tots is a fun, sociable and interactive programme designed for all families with children aged between 2-4 years. Activities include:

• – Cook and eat sessions
• – Fun games and activities
• – Practical parent workshops delivered by a dietitian
• – Coffee time to meet new parents

Email: beezee.tots@bedfordshire.nhs.uk

Telephone: 01582 707400

Text: 07747 638870

Flitwick Health Walkers

Program: 31st October 2018 – 30th January 2019

Telephone: 01525 715730

Walk 4 Health

Walk 4 Health delivers a programme of regular, volunteer-led walks aimed at those who want to walk on a regular basis in company, together with training for the volunteer walk leaders.

Website: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk

Email: mikef@bedsrcc.org.uk

Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers

A small, friendly, very active running club based at Flitwick Football Centre.

Website: www.affrunningclub.org.uk

Email: membership@AFFRunningClub.org.uk

Path to Recovery (P2R) Central Bedfordshire

P2R is a one stop service which provides advice, treatment and support to people whose lives are affected by drug or alcohol use. We provide an integrated service with a range of expertise available in one place.

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

Telephone: 01582 501780

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

Talk to Frank

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

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

CAN YP

CAN YP provide support, advice and treatment for young people who are using drugs or alcohol. They can also work with schools and other groups to help prevent young people from being harmed by drugs and alcohol before they become regular users.

Telephone: 01234 344 911

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.

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

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

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

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

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

Silver Line

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

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society offers specialist information, advice and social opportunities for carers of people with dementia.

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

Email: bedfordbranch@alzheimers.org.uk

Telephone: 01234 327380

Bumps Babies and Beyond

Come along and join our drop-in group every Wednesday afternoon from 1-3pm at Flitwick Village Hall, Dunstable Road, Flitwick MK45 1HP

It’s a chance to speak to other parents, share experiences and ideas and have a hot cup of tea brought to you! All we ask is for a donation of £2 towards the cost of the venue and refreshments. You don’t have to be an NCT member to attend our group.

Email: Branch.MidBeds@nct.org.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

Mid Beds NCT

Run by local parents, we offer support, services, information and friendship to new parents and parents-to-be.

Website: www.nct.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com

Email: Branch.MidBeds@nct.org.uk

Telephone: 0300 330 0700

National Sexual Health Helpline

If you would like to talk to someone about a sexual health issue, you can call the national sexual health helpline. Your call will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence. The Sexual Health Helpline is open from 9am-8pm, Monday-Friday.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Website: www.nhs.uk/oneyou

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

If you or someone you know is looking to quit smoking, we’re here to help. Our friendly, specialist advisors offer free advice and support across Bedfordshire.

Website: smokefreebedfordshire.co.uk

Telephone: 0800 013 0553

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

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