Adult Services

View the useful contact numbers.

Bedfordshire & Luton Adult Care and Support Services Directory

The care information covers Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Luton and includes guidance on paying for care, different support options and finding help to live at home.

View the Directory.

Ambitious About Autism

A national charity for children and young people with autism. They provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for change.

Telephone: 020 8815 5444

Website: www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Email: info@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Autism Anglia - Alert Card

Enhancing the lives of people on the autism spectrum across East Anglia.

Telephone: 01206 577678

Website: www.autism-anglia.org.uk/alert-card

Autism Bedfordshire

Autism Bedfordshire’s services help break down the barriers to social participation for people with autism and their families by providing places where they can go and feel comfortable, accepted and not judged by society.

Telephone: 01234 350704

Website: www.autismbedfordshire.net.

Email: enquiries@autismbeds.org

Autism Connect

Welcome to Autism Connect. We are an online social network for people with autism and their families. This is the place to meet new people, make friends and find support within the autism community.

Telephone: 0121 450 7582

Website: www.autism-connect.org.uk

Email: autism-connect@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

The National Autistic Society

We provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for autistic people.

Telephone: 0808 800 4104

Website: www.autism.org.uk

Cruse Bedfordshire

Cruse Bedfordshire offers people in Bedfordshire bereavement support from a team of trained volunteers, either in your home or at one of our drop-in centres in Luton, Biggleswade and Bedford.

Telephone: 0300 200 4108

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Useful Numbers for Bereavement Patients

View the full list of contact numbers. 

Milton Keynes Bereavement Service

Milton Keynes Bereavement Service has been supporting the local community through bereavement for over 30 years.

Website: www.bereavementservicemk.org.uk

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Our vision is for all families to have the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Website: www.childbereavementuk.org

CHUMS

CHUMS mental health and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people is a social enterprise, delivering services across Luton and Bedfordshire. CHUMS supports parent and carers wherever possible.

Telephone: 01525 863924

Website: www.chums.uk.com

The Compassionate Friends

Supporting bereaved parents & their families after a child dies.

Website: www.tcf.org.uk

Cancer Help

Reliable, easy to understand patient information from Cancer Research UK.

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Macmillan Cancer Support

We provide practical, medical and financial support and push for better cancer care.

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Marie Curie Cancer Care

We’re here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families.

Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk

Bedford Carer's Cafe

The Bedford Café is held on the 4th Saturday of the month 13:00 – 16:00
(As from April the time will change to 11.00-14.00)

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

Bedfordshire Memory Navigation Service

Carers in Bedfordshire offers a variety of support routes from 1:1 home visits, drop in Memory Gateway groups providing information and advice to weekly Carers Rest meetings where dementia carers can meet, socialise, chat and play games.

Telephone: 0300 111 9090

Website: www.memoryinbeds.org.uk

Care For Carers

Care for carers (link opens in new window) provides information about benefits, health trainer services, anti-bullying websites and adult education.

Telephone: 0300 777 8880

Website: www.careforcarers.org.uk

Email: info@careforcarers.org.uk

Carers In Bedfordshire

Carer groups are an excellent opportunity for you to meet carers in similar situations, make new friends, join in with fun and games, have meals out together, listen to guest speakers and learn more about coping with your caring role.

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

Email: contact@carersinbeds.org.uk

Carers Trust

Carers Trust (link opens in new window) can help you to maintain your own health and wellbeing, make your needs and voice heard and provide someone to talk to. They also run play and support schemes for young carers.

Website: www.carers.org

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

Email: info@carersuk.org

Homecare Laundry MK

Milton Keynes Council’s Laundry Service operates a professional service across the Milton Keynes area, for anyone who has a current care need or requires short term support with their washing and ironing.

Website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

Milton Keynes Community Alarm and Telecare Services

Community Alarms work through the telephone to enable people to call for help if they fall, or are taken ill. Telecare works in conjunction with the alarm unit offering a range of wireless sensors that help to manage risks to a person’s health and well being in their own home.

Website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

Respite At Home

Respite At Home Volunteers West Mid Beds & Ivel Valley provides services to:

• Children/young people
• People with disabilities
• People of a particular ethnic or racial origin
• Elderly/old people

aims to befriend, listen and give practical help to patients with life -limiting illnesses and their families in mid Bedfordshire and Ivel Valley.

Telephone: 01234 743063

Young Carers MK (Milton Keynes Patients Only)

Young carers are 8-19 year olds caring for a family member with a physical or mental illness, a disability, or a drug or alcohol related problem. The person being cared for may be a parent, sibling or other relative living in the same household.

Telephone: 01908 231703

Website: www.youngcarersmk.org

Email: mail@carersmiltonkeynes.org

Mencap

Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability. Everything Mencap does is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.

Website: www.mencap.org.uk

Children's Continuing Care Team

The Children’s Continuing Care Team supports families in the community who have children with life limiting or life threatening conditions and complex medical needs.

Telephone: 01234 310103

Website: www.cambscommunityservices.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

Vaccination planner

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

Website: www.nhs.uk

Community Voluntary Service

A voluntary and community sector support organisation, offering a range of services, enabling local organisations and communities to make a difference.

Telephone: 01234 354366

Website: www.cvsbeds.org.uk

Email: info@cvsbeds.org.uk

Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service

Patient must have their NHS number to hand when they call to book a journey.

Telephone: 0345 605 1208

Website: www.bedfordshireccg.nhs.uk

Counselling Clinic

The practice counsellor Monika Dedus, works at

• Woburn: Monday 10am -1pm, Tuesday 10am -4pm
• Asplands: Thursday 10am-4pm

Alternatively patients can self refer for counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) through the Bedfordshire Wellbeing service.

Website: www.bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk

Open Door

Bedford Open Door is a charity providing free and confidential counselling to young people. Counselling is provided by a team of fully trained, experienced and friendly volunteer counsellors.

Website: www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk

Relate

Family counselling can help when siblings aren’t getting on, or when parents and children are going through a divorce or separation.

Telephone: 0300 100 1234

Website: www.relate.org.uk

Sorted

Sorted offers a free and confidential counselling service for young people aged between 10 and 25 years.

Telephone: 01582 891435

Find out more

Spurgeons

Spurgeons believe that every child deserves a childhood and an equal chance to fulfil their dreams. They’re currently delivering more than 81 projects to support children, young people, their families and communities to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges they face.

Website: www.spurgeons.org

The Counselling Foundation

The Counselling Foundation is a leading charity providing counselling and counsellor training for the better mental health of our communities of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Website: www.counsellingfoundation.org

YIS - Youth Counselling Service

YIS are a long-running charity that provides a free and confidential BACP accredited counselling service for young people aged 11-21 who live, learn or work in Milton Keynes.

Website: www.mkyis.org.uk

CALM

The campaign against living miserably or CALM, is a registered charity, which exists to prevent male suicide in the UK.

Telephone: 0800 58 58 58

Website: www.thecalmzone.net

Road Victims Trust

The Road Victims Trust is a registered charity offering a range of free support services to residents of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire who have been affected by fatal road collisions.

Website: www.rvtrust.org.uk

The Hope Programme

The Hope Programme offers a telephone helpline, emotional support and counselling to women and girls, men and boys, over 10 years old who have suffered rape and sexual violence.

Telephone: 0300 365 1045

Website: www.hopeprogramme.com

Victim Support

Victim Support work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. They help people feel safer and find the strength to move forward after crime.

Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Women's Aid

Women’s aid are a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated.

Website: www.womensaid.org.uk

No Panic

No Panic is a registered charity which helps people who suffer from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders including those people who are trying to give up Tranquillizers.

Telephone: 0844 967 4848

Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service

The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service is for residents of Bedfordshire (excluding Luton who have a separate service) who experience mental health symptoms or other psychological issues which are holding them back in their lives. It provides one-to-one sessions and/or group workshops.

Telephone: 01234 880400 / 01234 210307

Self-referral email: Elt-tr.bedfordIAPT@nhs.net

HEADSTART- Arts for Health

Arts for Health has funding from The Rothschild Foundation to run HEADSTART, an art programme for young people aged 13 – 17 years who experience stress, anxiety or depression.

Telephone: 01908 996124

Email: sharon.paulger@mkuh.nhs.uk 

Reading Well

Reading Well promotes the benefits of reading for health and wellbeing. The programme has two strands: Books on Prescription and Mood-boosting Books.

Telephone: 0207 324 2529

Website: www.reading-well.org.uk

Email: readingagency@standagency.com

Talking Therapies

The Bedford Wellbeing 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

Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College

Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College is part of the Bedfordshire Mental Health Academy which is a formal partnership with East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and the University of Bedfordshire.

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

Action For Blind People

Action for Blind People provides practical and emotional advice and support across England to people who are blind or partially sighted and their friends and family.

Website: www.rnib.org.uk

Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust

Located in Milton Keynes, Thomas Edward Mitton House is a specialist residential centre that provides continuing rehabilitation and specialist care and support for people with an acquired brain injury.

Website: www.thedtgroup.org

Eye Conditions

Further information is also available here.

Flitwick & District Stroke Club

Meets on the First Wednesday of the month from 2 pm to 4.30 pm at the Ellenshaw Court, Hinksley Road, Flitwick, Beds.

Telephone: 01525 717181

Headway Bedford

Headway Bedford provide a supportive and stimulating environment for people who have an acquired brain injury.

Website: www.headwaybedford.org.uk

Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living

MK CIL can provide information and advice on a wide range of disability related subjects and general subjects including mobility, equipment, care, benefits, housing, leisure activities/holidays and social care procedures/pathways. It is a free service for people with disabilities of all ages, their families, friends, carers and professionals.

Telephone: 01908 231344

Website: www.mkcil.org.uk

Email: info@mkcil.org.uk

Multiple Sclerosis

National Support

Local Support

Scope

Scope is a charity that exists to make this country a place where disabled people have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Website: www.scope.org.uk

Sight Concern

Sight Concern (Bedfordshire) is an independent, local, sight-loss charity providing information, advice and practical support for blind and partially sighted people in Bedfordshire and Luton.

Website: www.sightconcern.org.uk

Addaction

Addaction helps people change their behaviour to become the very best that they can be.

Website: www.addaction.org.uk

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

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

Path 2 Recovery

P2R is a one stop service which provides drug and alcohol advice, treatment and support to adults whose lives are affected, support can include the whole family.

Telephone: 01234 352220

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

Spaced

Specialist Substance Misuse Family Support Service. Family support for those affected by drug and alcohol misuse.

Telephone: 01234 352220

Website: www.earlyhelp.bedford.gov.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

Ampthill Day Centre

Houghton Close
Ampthill
Bedford
MK45 2TG

Telephone: 0300 300 8180

Website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Milton Keynes Community Alarm Telecare Service

Community Alarms work through the telephone to enable people to call for help if they fall, or are taken ill. Telecare works in conjunction with the alarm unit offering a range of wireless sensors that help to manage risks to a person’s health and well being in their own home.

Website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

The Herbert Protocol

For people living with dementia at risk of going missing.

Website: www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Hearing Aid Support Service

Support for: tubing, minor repairs, ear mould cleaning, battery replacement and advice.

Website: www.bid.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

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 055 6112

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Bedford Hospital

The maternity services at Bedford Hospital are located in Cygnet Wing, our dedicated Women and Children’s unit. Our friendly midwifery and obstetric team are always on hand to ensure our patients always have the best possible experience before, during and after pregnancy.

Telephone: 01234 795747

Website: www.bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

Ampthill Core Pilates

Pregnancy and Post Natal Pilates can help regain and maintain abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during and after pregnancy. This group helps you to maintain and gain fitness as well as meeting other mums.

Facebook: @ampthillcorepilates

Email: ampthillcorepilates@gmail.com

Bedford Pregnancy Yoga Classes

A pregnancy yoga class is a safe, non judgemental, friendly atmosphere for a
mum-to-be to focus on both body and mind.

Telephone: 07769697609

Website: www.netmums.com

Email: info@thisisyoga.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

The NHS

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Physio Line Self Referral Form

You can now self-refer to our PhysioLine telephone service for muscle and joint problems.

Physio Line Self-Referral Form

Musculo-skeletal (MSK) Practitioner

You may be able to book an appointment directly for an assessment by the MSK Practitioner at the practice or be booked in following a GP/Minor Illness Nurse review.

Smokefree Bedfordshire

We offer a specialist, friendly and confidential service to anybody wishing to quit smoking.  Stopping is difficult for most people, but with treatment and support the likelihood of success is four times greater.

Telephone: 0800 013 0553

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

MK Sexual Health

Offers a wide range of Sexual Health and Contraceptive services provided by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Website: www.mksexualhealth.co.uk

Sexual Health Help Line

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

Telephone:0845 122 8690

Psychosexual Service

This service is available for patients with current sexual dysfunction within relationships, previous sexual abuse/assault, initial exploration of gender dysphoria and Issues around sexuality.

Website: www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk

Relate

All couples go through phases where they don’t have the time or energy for regular sex. If this has become the norm and you would like to rediscover your sex life, Relate’s Sex Therapists can help you.

Telephone: 0300 100 1234

Website: www.relate.org.uk

iCaSH

Our iCaSH (integrated Contraception and Sexual Health) service provides all aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and treatment.

Telephone: 0300 300 3030

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, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Referral Options

The GP may be able to refer you for ‘exercise on prescription’ programmes or weight management programmes in the area depending on referral criteria.

Referral Options

The GP may be able to refer you for ‘exercise on prescription’ programmes or weight management programmes in the area depending on referral criteria.

The NHS Weight Loss Plan

At a time of year when many people try to lose weight, often turning to faddy or ‘extreme’ diets which can be unhealthy and counter-productive, not to mention expensive, it’s worth highlighting that the NHS provides its own free guide to safe and sustainable weight loss.

Website: www.nhs.uk

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