Local and national help and advice for you to get the support you need for your wellbeing.
Bereavement
Bedford Bereavement Services
We offer impartial help, support and guidance on all aspects of bereavement including memorialisation.
Telephone
01234 718150
Website
www.bedford.gov.uk
Cruse Bereavement Bedfordshire
For those who need help, Cruse Bedfordshire offers people in Bedfordshire and Luton bereavement support. The service is free and open to anyone over the age of 18. Our policy is to treat each bereaved person as an individual with their own needs and to offer the support that is appropriate to them at this particular time in their life.
Facebook
crusebeds
Twitter
@crusebeds
Telephone
0300 200 4108
Website
www.crusebedfordshire.org.uk
Cancer Support
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is the world’s largest independent cancer research organisation.
Website
www.cancerresearchuk.org
Macmillan: Bowel screening
Screening helps find some cancers early so that they can be treated as soon as possible. It can also find changes in some cells before they become cancerous.
Website
Macmillan cancer support
NHS: Bowel Screening
NHS bowel cancer screening checks if you could have bowel cancer. It’s available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years.
Website
NHS: Bowel screening
NHS: Breast Screening
NHS breast screening checks use X-rays to look for cancers that are too small to see or feel.
Website: NHS: Breast screening
Cancer Research: Breast Screening
Screening aims to find breast cancers early, when they have the best chance of being cured.
Symptoms and Advice
When will you be invited for breast screening?
Anyone registered with a GP as female will be invited for NHS breast screening every 3 years between the ages of 50 and 71. You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you.
If you’re a trans man, trans woman or are non-binary you may be invited automatically, or you may need to talk to your GP surgery or call the local breast screening service to ask for an appointment.
Using your bowel cancer screening kit
Everyone aged 60 to 74 who is registered with a GP and lives in England is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. The screening age is gradually being lowered to 50 so some people in the 50-60 age group could also receive a kit.
A short animation explains how to use your bowel cancer screening kit. Subtitles are available in English, as well as Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu. A British Sign Language version is also available.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Resources and information about cervical cancer screening
What is cervical screening?
NHS: Cervical screening
Cervical Screening: programme overview
About cervical screening
Cancer Research UK
Leighton Linslade Cancer Support Group
They meet every Friday. Their aim is to support and help you through difficult times.
Carers
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.
Phone
0808 808 7777
Website
Carers UK
Email
info@carersuk.org
Social care and support guide
If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this guide explains your options and where you can get support.
Healthwatch
Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is the local consumer champion promoting choice and influencing the provision of high quality health, social care and wellbeing services for all across Central Bedfordshire.
CLL Support Association
CLLSA support and empower Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) patients, their families and their carers through education and access to reliable, relevant and current information.
Website
www.cllsupport.org.uk
The Disability Resource Centre
We are here so that disabled people and their families have somewhere to turn if they feel alone and need help in any situation.
Telephone
01582 470 900
Website
www.drcbeds.org.uk
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.
Facebook
@autismbedfordshire
Twitter
@AutismBeds
Telephone
01234 350704
Website
www.autismbedfordshire.net
Email
enquiries@autismbeds.org
Child Health
Rashes in babies and children
Many things can cause a rash in babies and children, and they’re often nothing to worry about.
The NHS provide support for identifying some of the common rashes in babies and children.
NHS vaccinations and when to have them
It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection. Check the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by and contact your GP.
Start for Life
Trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Website
Start for Life
Child Mind Institute: Treating Sensory Processing Issues
Specialized gyms help over-sensitive (or under-sensitive) kids.
Website
www.childmind.org
Sensory Smarts: Classroom Accommodations for Kids with Sensory Issues
Working with Schools from Raising a Sensory Smart Child.
Website
www.sensorysmarts.com
Wikilawn
How to Create a Safe, Sensory-Friendly Backyard Landscape for Your Child With Special Needs.
Website
www.wikilawn.com
Drugs and Alcohol
Drinkaware
Digital tools to help you assess, track and set goals to reduce your drinking.
Website
Drinkaware tools
Drinkline
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.
Phone
0300 123 1110
Talk to Frank
If you have a problem with drugs, you can Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.
Phone
0300 123 6600
Text
82111
Website
Talk to Frank
NHS Drink Free Days
Drink Free Days is for people who like a drink but want some support in tracking and cutting down on the booze as well as better understanding the risks.
Google Play Store
Download NHS Drink Free Days on the Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Download NHS Drink Free Days on the Apple App Store
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.
Phone
0800 9177 650
Website
Alcoholics Anonymous Great Britain
Email
help@aamail.org
Path to Recovery (P2R) Bedford Borough
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. We provide an integrated service with a range of expertise available in one place.
Website
www.elft.nhs.uk
Rehab4Addiction
At Rehab 4 Addiction they offer state-of-the-art drug and alcohol rehab services in Bedfordshire designed to change your life for the better.
Website
www.rehab4addiction.co.uk
OK Rehab
At OK Rehab they provide a reliable and professional service that can help you seek rehab for your addiction in the Bedford area.
Telephone
0800 326 5559
Website
www.okrehab.org
Aquarius
Aquarius help people to overcome the harms caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling.
Telephone
07467 336 203
Website
aquarius.org.uk
Elderly Care
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 we work every day to achieve this.
Facebook
Age-UK-Bedfordshire
Twitter
@AgeUKBeds
Telephone
01234 360510
Website
www.ageuk.org.uk
Dementia UK
Dementia UK offers specialist one to one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.
Phone
0800 888 6678
Website
Dementia UK
Email
helpline@dementiauk.org
The Silver Line
Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.
Phone
0800 470 80 90
Website
The Silver Line Helpline
Alzheimer’s Society
Living with dementia can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. From a listening ear on the phone, to a visit in person. From practical tips and advice, to opportunities to connect with others.
Phone
0333 150 3456
Website
Alzheimer’s Society
Leighton Buzzard Voluntary Patient Transport
LBVPT provides voluntary transport for elderly and vulnerable people to and from their outpatient appointments at these local hospitals- Luton & Dunstable, Milton Keynes, Stoke Mandeville, Bedford, Amersham and High Wycombe. The service operates Monday to Saturday and is subject to a volunteer driver being available on the required day.
Telephone
07873 497633
Website
www.lbvpt.co.uk
Email
lbvpt@outlook.com
MK Volunteer Drivers’ Service
Private Passenger and Group Registrations are now being taken for the MK Volunteer Drivers’ Service.
If you need help getting to medical appointments, social activities, shopping and errands, then please get in touch to register and book your journey.
Telephone
01908 670309
Leighton-Linslade Area – Health Information
To retain health and fitness we are told it is important to keep moving, learning, being creative, interested and in touch with other people, so that we remain and feel useful.
For more information please read the pdf: Health and Fitness
Maternity
Tommy’s
Tommy’s provides information and support to empower parents during pregnancy.
Website
Tommy’s
Start for Life
Trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Website
Start for life
Baby Buddy: Pregnancy & Parent
Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.
Google Play Store
Download Baby Buddy on the Google Play Store
Apple App Store
Download Baby Buddy on the Apple App Store
MAMA Academy
MAMA Academy’s mission is to empower all maternity professionals and expectant parents on stillbirth prevention methods to help more babies arrive safely.
Phone
07427 851670
Website
MAMA Academy
Email
contact@mamaacademy.org.uk
NHS Pregnancy
This guide includes all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth.
Website
NHS: Pregnancy
Perinatal Mental Health Service
The East London Health and Care Partnership Perinatal Mental Health Service offer assessment, treatment and specialist advice for women who experience current or previous mental health difficulties.
For more information on the service, how to get in touch and how to access the service, please read the Perinatal Mental Health Service leaflet.
Mental Health
NHS Mental health
Find information and support for your mental health.
Website
NHS: Mental health
Kooth
Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss their mental health issues.
Website
Kooth
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.
Phone
116 123
Website
Samaritans
Email
jo@samaritans.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink Mental Illness provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.
Phone
0121 522 7007
Website
Rethink Mental Illness
Email
info@rethink.org
Mind BLMK
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Facebook
mindblmk
Twitter
@MindBLMK
Phone
01525 382847
Website
Mind
Sorted Counselling
This service offers a free and confidential counselling service for young people aged 5 – 25.
Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
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
bedfordshirewellbeingservice.nhs.uk
Sexual Health
Brook
Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.
Website
Brook
Sexual Health Helpline
The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
Phone
0300 123 7123
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.
Phone
020 7608 5240
Website
Family Planning Association
iCaSH
Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health services.
Twitter
@icashbeds
Phone
0300 300 3030
Website
www.icash.nhs.uk
Stop Smoking
NHS Quit smoking
Quitting is much easier when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from. Check out their advice, tools and tips.
Website
NHS: Quit smoking
Smokefree Bedforshire
Smokefree Bedforshire 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
smokefreebedfordshire.co.uk
Weight Management
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
Slimming World
Weight Watchers
Meetings, online or a little bit of both. They’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.
Website
Weight Watchers
BMI calculator
The body mass index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy.
Leighton Fun Runners (LFR)
Couch to 5k Programmes
Leighton Buzzard Ramblers
They cater for all levels of fitness offering walks from 5-10 miles on Sundays and weekends.
Website
www.lbramblers.org.uk
Healthwatch
Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is the local consumer champion promoting choice and influencing the provision of high quality health, social care and wellbeing services for all across Central Bedfordshire.
MoreLife
At MoreLife, they are passionate about supporting adults, children, young people and their families to lead healthier lives. They’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
Walk 4 Health Bedfordshire
Walk 4 Health Bedfordshire, co-ordinated by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, covers the Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough areas of the county.
Telephone
01234 832619
Website
www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
Email
mikef@bedsrcc.org.uk
Beezee Bodies Activity Finder
They have lots of different programmes running for all ages.
Website
www.beezeebodies.com