You can get help and impartial independent advice on how you could benefit from heating and insulation measures on the Simple Energy Advice website Simple Energy Advice
Your energy supplier may provide a service called the 'Warm Home Discount scheme' which pays £140 either to your electricity account or vouchers to top up your electricity meter. You will need to contact your electricity supplier to see if you meet their eligibility criteria
People aged 60 or over, disabled people or those who suffer from a chronic illness, are entitled to a range of services, by signing up for free to their energy suppliers Priority Service Register. The Priority Service Register has also been recently extended to include:
Customers with certain mental health conditions which impact on them understanding their bill
Customers who cannot top up their pre-payment meter due to injury
Temporary circumstances where a customer needs extra support for a limited amount of time
Details of how to join can be found on the reverse of your energy bill
If you don't know who your current gas and electricity supplier is, this can be checked by contacting:
If you are experiencing difficulties paying your gas/or electricity bill or have an energy debt then you should contact your supplier in the first instance. Other impartial advice is available from the National debtline 0808 808 4000 or from the StepChange debt Charity 0800 138 1111.
Preparing for Colder Weather
From keeping your house warm to protecting yourself from common ailments, find out how to stay healthy this winter on NHS Choices.
As part of the national and local drive to tackle fuel poverty and climate change, there is a wide range of help and advice available both locally and nationally. The Energy Saving Trust provides free and independent advice on what would be beneficial for your home, offering a number of different housing grants and loans including those which can help with insulation and/or heating.
Better Housing Better Health are here to help keep residents warm and well at home and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. In a preventative approach to health and wellbeing, our service provides residents with a single point of contact to get impartial expert advice to help improve the energy efficiency of their home, save money and improve comfort.
To help achieve our mission of tackling fuel poverty and creating healthier homes, we’re extending our warmth and wellbeing service into Dacorum, Central Bedfordshire and Luton after securing funding from theEnergy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme.
To request an assessment contact online or the contact number below.
Age UK Bedfordshire has been working with energy suppliers to save money for older people and to ensure your home is insulated and energy efficient.
If you or someone you know is over 50, lives in Bedfordshire or Luton and would benefit from this opportunity then please contact us via contact details below
Do you think you would benefit from some further support to reduce your drinking to 'lower risk' levels?
Speak to your GP, a loved one or call Drinkline 0300 1231110 (Mon-Fri 9am - 8pm, weekends 11am - 4pm). The Drinkline service provides free, confidential, accurate and consistent information and advice to callers who are concerned about their own or someone else`s drinking regardless of the caller`s age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity or spirituality
Download the 'One You' drinks tracker makes it easy to keep an eye on the booze and take control with daily tips and feedback) available on itunes or google play
Get further information from NHS Choices www.nhs.uk
Download the free Drink Coach app, which features a range of tools proven to help you reduce your alcohol intake. The DrinkCoach website also provides tips and advice to help you reduce your alcohol intake. You can take a quick, free and confidential test to see how much alcohol you're drinking and get access to online coaching
SELF CARE
Further tips on cutting down
Make a plan Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you're going to drink.
Set a budget Only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.
Let them know If you let your friends and family know you're cutting down and it's important to you, you could get support from them.
Take it a day at a time Cut back a little each day. That way, every day you do is a success.
Make it a smaller one You can still enjoy a drink, but go for smaller sizes. Try bottled beer instead of pints, or a small glass of wine instead of a large one.
Have a lower-strength drink Cut down the alcohol by swapping strong beers or wines for ones with a lower strength (ABV in %). You'll find this information on the bottle.
Stay hydrated Have a glass of water before you have alcohol and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink.
Take a break Have several drink-free days each week.
Path 2 Recovery offers free, confidential, addiction services for all adult Central Bedfordshire residents and those with a GP in Central Bedfordshire. Anyone at any stage of their alcohol or drug difficulties is welcome, with a single point of access to assessment and treatment for both substance misuse and associated emotional / mental health needs.
With an individual assessment and personal recovery plan, the team offers one-to-one and group therapies to help sustained recovery, including the opportunity to volunteer and support others in the future.
SAMAS is a service delivered across Bedfordshire. Run by Community Led Initiatives, SAMAS works to build a recovery community which can support long term recovery for individuals while enabling them to reach their full potential.
By supporting people throughout their recovery journeys, SAMAS creates a mentorship cycle which allows the people who benefit from the service to lead in its development and day to day running. Working with every individual to identify their strengths where others see risk, means anyone can make a positive change despite their experience with addiction, mental ill health or offending.
Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support and help your bereaved person make contact with sources of support.
If you are worried that this person is in crisis, please see section forSuicide Prevention
If no immediate risk take the following steps:
Encourage and support them to contact:
National Bereavement Service
Most people will have to take responsibility for all the practical arrangements after a death, at least once in their lives. For others, it can be many more times. In any circumstance, loss is a difficult and often distressing time.
The National Bereavement Service offers practical and emotional support to guide you through what needs to be done. We can introduce the bereaved to trusted partner organisations in both private and charitable sectors, as well as provide information on the statutory requirements following loss, such as the registration of death and probate.
Cruse offers advice and information about types of support, where to get it, and help supporting other people. They also have a telephone helpline and webchat service enabling people to talk about how they are feeling Home - Cruse Bereavement Support.
The charity Mind has a wealth of information about different types of bereavement, where to go for support and suggestions for helping yourself and others Support and self-care for grief - Mind. This includes a dedicated section with information on Losing someone to suicide - Mind
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.
Encourage the person to contact their GP. Their GP will be able support the person in many ways
Mind 'The charity for better mental health' has an extensive range of self help resources available
TheNHS have has a range of self-help tools available
Andy's Man Clubprovides a weekly talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues/problems they be have faced or currently been facing. Meetings take place regularly in different locations across the region, where applicable these can be found in the local support and contact details section.
For Men -CALM(Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer accredited, confidential and free support to men anywhere in the UK through a helpline and web and webchat service. They talk through any issue with you and offer support, advice and signposting.
Qwell- Free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK
Kooth - is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous support, for 11-25 year olds
Every Mind Matters
‘Every Mind Matters’ is the first national mental health campaign from Public Health England
It’s an NHS-approved digital hub full of expert advice and practical tips to achieve good mental health
It also has a free NHS-approved online tool - ‘Your Mind Plan’ to help us:
Adultscan self-refer toImproving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. IAPT is a national NHS programme, which offers evidence based psychological therapies or interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IAPT is primarily for treating people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IAPT treatments are delivered via a stepped care model where patients are initially offered low intensity therapies, such as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) and guided self-help. If these treatments are unsuccessful, or not appropriate for individuals, higher intensity therapies are utilised and include one to one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT).Please see local support and contact details for further information.
Support Services - Veterans
VeteransCombat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans. They offer free, confidential 24-hour support to Service and ex-Service personnel who are experiencing mental health issues, including feeling suicidal.
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
Tel:0843 2898401 (0900 - 2000 hrs, 7 days per week)
It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else's health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care after too. The website contains some helpful guides on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
Children and Young Peoplecan contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline, which parents/careers can call if they are worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. They also run a group called Parents Say, for parents whose children are accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Experiencing grief after the death of a Family Member
Physical activity can help during times of grief. It provides a chance to process thoughts, feelings and emotions; and retain memories. Being active can reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. People describe a sense of freedom through physical activity. Connecting with others, even when not physically together can build friendships and bonds. Join in to connect the world through physical activity during times of grief.
Carers Trust works to transform the lives of unpaid carers.
It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness and influence policy. Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard and valued, with access to support, advice and resources to enable them to live fulfilled lives.
On the website you will find a search tab to look up any local support services in your local area
If you are 18 or under and you care for someone you are entitled to help and support.
Carers UK
Looking after someone can be tough, but you’re not on your own. Carers UK is here to listen, to give you expert information and advice that’s tailored to your situation, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are.
We give expert advice, information and support.
Caring can be extremely complicated. The maze of rights and entitlements can be complicated. Filling in paperwork can be complicated. Getting a break can be complicated. Our feelings about caring can certainly be complicated.
We're here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don't have to care alone.
Our expert telephone advice and support service is here if you want to talk about caring. If you're looking for answers, our online information and support is the best place to start.
We connect carers so no-one has to care alone.
Every day 6,000 people become carers. It can be bewildering if you don't know where to turn for help and support.
Through our carers' groups and volunteers we're reaching out in local communities throughout the UK and online.
If you're new to caring, we want to make sure you get the right support from the start.
If you live in Wiltshire and need somebody to talk to about your mental health.
Text WILTS to 85258 for free and confidential text message support that won’t appear on your bill.
Trained volunteers are here to listen. We can help with anxiety and stress, depression or sadness, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, abuse and bullying.
Concerned about the rising cost of living?
These organisations and websites may be able to help:
Community organisations aimed at supporting people who cannot afford the essentials in life. The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks that provide emergency food and support. Ask library staff for a full list of Wiltshire food banks.
A project that offers children that receive benefits related free school meals the opportunity to take part in fun activities and receive a meal during school holidays.
Offers Wiltshire residents free and impartial energy saving advice via an advice line - 0800 038 5722. Provides help relating to insulation, heating and draft proofing and advice on available grants and schemes.
Libraries provide warm spaces with free access to books, newspapers, Wi-Fi and computers, plus printing for a small charge, and staff that can help to answer any queries you may have.
Lists schemes that provide cost of living support (compiled by Wiltshire Citizens Advice).
The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust
The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust provides a home security service and online safety service for over 60s, 18+ with a registered disability and victims of domestic abuse throughout Wiltshire and Swindon. The charity funds the operation of three Bobby vans that provide mobile workshops for Bobby operators to secure homes whilst the team of Stay Safe Online Volunteers offer one to one home visits and community talks on online safety.
The Trust strives to help people in Wiltshire and Swindon by:
Improving security of domestic premises occupied by the elderly and vulnerable to prevent burglary, hate crime and domestic abuse;
Reducing incidence of repeat burglary and re-victimisation;
Promoting awareness of fire safety, detection and prevention;
Offering reassurance and advice on crime reduction, and sign-posting other agencies that may be of assistance to clients’ particular needs; and,
Providing practical skills and advice to help prevent online fraud.
Dementia Connect, Alzheimer's Society's dementia support service, is free, easy to access, and puts you in touch with the right support. From local help to phone and online advice.
Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia advisers can support you directly by phone or face to face, as well as connect you to a range of local services.
It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia. Memory losscan be annoying if it happens occasionally, but if it's affecting your daily life, or it's worrying you, or someone you know, you should get help from a GP.
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today.
Carers UK- Making life better for carers: Telephone: 0808 808 7777 Email: advice@carersuk.org
Self Care
We can’t change our age or our genes, and there is currently no way we can completely prevent dementia. However, there are some simple steps we can all take to help lower our risk.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (like high blood pressure and stroke) are also risk factors for dementia, so what is good for your heart is good for your brain. Looking after your health, cutting out smoking and being physically active on a regular basis will help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s likely you’ll be lowering your risk of dementia too, particularly vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to provide and put together useful information, which can then be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing.
Carers and / or relatives and friends can complete a form in advance, including important information about the missing individual such as the contact numbers, medication needed, locations the person was last seen and so forth also a photograph can be provided.
Click here for more information for residents in Bedfordshire
Memory in Beds has a list of local services in Bedford Borough.
Have a read of the guides and information about living with Dementia and the practical things you or your loved ones can do to live a Dementia-friendly life.
Our community, a Registered Charity, is dedicated to providing a range of accessible and flexible groups. Our aim is to offer a wide range of activities which provide cognitive and physical stimulation in a safe and supportive space. Our groups are for people in all stages of dementia, diagnosed or not, and those who support them.
for people with dementiaandtheir family carers
to attend both separatelyandtogether
to support cognitive, physical, emotionalandoverall wellbeing
Providing advice and support for women and children, against domestic violence. If you are seeking immediate support, call the free Helpline. Messages sent through the website will be responded to within 48 hours, messages won’t leave any trace on emails and the helpline team won’t leave voicemails when calling back for safety reasons.
Domestic Abuse helpline Tel:0808 2000 247 – Open 24 hours a day
A national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. A federation of over 180 organisations providing just under 300 services across England. They provide online help and support to women and children suffering domestic abuses, help to access refuge accommodation, outreach services and Independent domestic violence advocacy (IDVA).
Resources on this website explore technology in the context of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and violence against women. To talk to someone who can answer your questions and support you, call the National Domestic Abuse helpline. Information includes:
Safety tips, information, and privacy strategies for survivors on the use of technology
Spyware and Stalkerware information
Smartphones - Increasing privacy & responding to abuse
Tips on being webwise when sharing personal information online
Men’s Advice Line is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. The service offers advice and emotional support to men who experience abuse, and signpost to other vital services that help keep them and their children safe. Your call will not appear on itemised bills.
Tel: 0808 801 0327 (run by Respect) Mon–Fri 9am-8pm
The helpline team has extensive experience in supporting LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse. Professionals can also contact this number for advice.
Tel:0800 999 5428 (run by Galop) Mon to Fri 10am – 5pm, Weds and Thurs 10am – 8:00pm
Free telephone advice line providing women with legal advice and information on a wide range of legal issues including domestic violence, child contact, sexual violence and the criminal justice process and immigration and asylum as well as other legal issues arising from relationship breakdown.
Tel:020 7251 8887 Tues 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm, Thurs 2pm – 4pm, Fri 10am – 12pm. The line is closed on Bank holidays.
For men worried about their behaviours and relationships and who want to take steps to change. Providing perpetrator support and helping men to become safe around their partners and children.
Domestic abuse doesn’t always mean physical violence; it could be:
Being forced into doing something sexually that you don’t want to do by a partner or ex-partner.
Use of weapons, damage to property, physical abuse to children and animals. Threats to harm the non-abusive person, children, animals. Threats to portray the non-abusive person in a bad light to others and removal of children.
Isolating an individual from others. Controlling what they wear, who they see, where they can go. Coercive control is now an offence under Part 5, S76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.
Preventing a person from acquiring money in their own right, restricting how a person uses their money or resources. Making a person pay all the bills, taking out loans in their name. Controlling all the household money.
Name-calling, being constantly criticised, stalking.
The Citizens Advice Service can help you to make the right choices, including help to deal with your debt problems, how to avoid losing your home and how to get your finances back into shape. Citizens Advice also offer advice on Benefits and Tax credits as it's important to make sure that you get all the help that you're entitled to
PayPlans supportive, non-judgemental team of advisers help thousands of people beat their debts every year, and treat all of their calls with the strictest confidence.
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing.
They're there to provide a financial community. Credit Unions can help those who can't get access to ordinary bank products; a lifeline in less well-off communities for people grappling with their finances.
We have grants called local welfare provision that may help vulnerable people and families who have been met with exceptional one-off difficulties in life.
Problem gambling is often described as a hidden addiction and some people may have gone to great lengths to hide this. Where the person has highlighted that problem gambling may be affecting them and/or the people around them.
Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support
BeGambleAware
The BeGambleAware website has a short series of questions you can complete if you are concerned about your own or someone else's gambling. This has direct link to help, support and advice about problem gambling. The National Gambling Helpline can be contact on 0808 8020 133
The Helpline provides confidential advice, information and emotional support throughout Great Britain to anyone experiencing problems with gambling. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
GamCare Forum:
This is an online message board, providing a safe and secure space for users (who may be gamblers or their partners, friends and family) to share experiences, thoughts and feelings about problem gambling. Although the Forum is moderated by the GamCare Team, it is designed first and foremost for people to come together in similar situations, working through similar concerns and problems.
GamCare run regular sessions in their online chatroom, where users can use live text chat to talk about issues related to gambling harms with other people in similar situations, supported by one of our Adviser.
Their Chatroom is a safe and supportive environment. Some sessions might be fairly busy and intense; others will be quieter and more relaxed. Each session is moderated by one of our Advisers, who will welcome you to the chat and be on hand to guide everyone or answer questions if needed.
GamCare provides local services for people concerned about their own gambling and for people affected by someone else’s gambling.
People can refer themselves or be referred by another professional. Following assessment they provide individually tailored support through 1-1 sessions and groups or courses. They work holistically to enhance opportunities for people to make changes in their own gambling. We support affected others by providing a safe space for them to recognise and increase their coping skills.
Runs local support groups for people with gambling addictions and advocates the same 12-step approach to recovery as Alcoholics Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous also offers help and support via their website, including a forum, chat room and literature. Anyone who is seeking help for gambling addiction is able to attend meetings.
Is an organisation dedicated to supporting the husbands, wives, partners, relatives or close friends of someone with a gambling problem who have also been affected by the problem. Like Gamblers Anonymous, meetings are held throughout the country, with online support also available.
BigDeal is a place for young people to get information, advice and guidance about gambling. They also also help parents and professionals such as teachers, social workers and youth workers. They know all about gambling, how someone else’s gambling can affect you, and about the difficulties young people can get into if their gambling gets out of hand. That’s why you can share your worries via their live chat or helpline, without fear of judgement.
Where the person has indicated that problem gambling may be affecting their physical and mental health and wellbeing. (This could include anxiety/depression, low mood, stress, use of alcohol as a coping mechanism etc)
Encourage the person to contact their GP. Their GP will be able support the person in many ways whilst they seek help for any associated gambling problems.
MECC Link has dedicated content for a range of national and local support services for Mental and Physical Health.
Where the personal has indicated that they would like more information on self-exclusion from bookmakers or online gambling sites.
National self-exclusion schemes
New multi-operator schemes are being introduced across the five main sectors of the gambling industry to allow you to exclude yourself from each of those forms of gambling across the whole of Great Britain.
Online sector self-exclusion and blocking software
If you want to self-exclude from an online (remote) gambling company then you will need to contact each of the companies with which you hold an account. This can usually be done on the responsible gambling pages of the website. You can also get email addresses and telephone numbers for online gambling companies that are part of the Remote Gambling Association here
If you are worried about online gambling then you can download a 'site blocker', which can block access to on line gambling sites. You can find further information on blocking software here
Whether you are affected by your own gambling or someone else's, you are welcome to come and talk to us. We offer support to individuals and families experiencing the negative impact of gambling.
It can feel difficult to reach out for help, and this may be the first time you have, but we want you to know you are welcome here.
The NHS Health Check is a simple check of your heart health. Aimed at adults in England aged 40 to 74, it checks your vascular or circulatory health and works out your risk of developing some of the most disabling – but preventable – illnesses. It is free of charge, including any follow-up tests or appointments.
Call your local GP for a referral for this service.
The Public Health England 'One You' Website contains a wealth of information on different food choices and healthy recipes
Visit the healthy eating page on the 'Change for Life' website which has loads of great information about food and drink swaps for a healthier diet.
Try the new 'Be Food Smart app'! See how much sugar, sat fat and salt is really inside your food and drink - just by scanning the barcode from your mobile phone, Android and Iphone Apps available.
Visit the recipes page on 'Change for Life' has a extensive list of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and lunchboxes!
MoreLife - weight management and health improvement programmes
Our weight management programmes create long-lasting shifts in behaviour and give you the tools and support you need to achieve your health goals.
To join the 12 week programme, you can self refer via the website or phone number below.
OUR 12 WEEK PROGRAMME
The MoreLife 12-week, group programme offers a psychologically-informed model. Each session lasts for one and a half hours with a 30-minute drop in before or after.
Each week you’ll focus on a different topic. These range from learning about nutrition and portion sizes, to understanding the importance of sleep.
Our practitioners don’t tell people what to do, instead, you will be guided and supported to understand how thoughts, emotions and feelings influence decisions. We’ll help you to develop strategies to make healthier choices, cope with setbacks and manage specific triggers like stress.
You can ask your GP or Health professional to refer you to MoreLife or alternatively you can self-refer via the website or phone number below.
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.
If you get Universal credit, you can apply online if:
you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old
your family’s monthly ‘take-home pay for this period’ is £408 or less from employment
If you get Child Tax Credit, you can apply online if:
you have at least one child under 4 years old
your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less
You can apply via the website link below or call the number provided
Welcome to the new home of Change4Life. We have a new name and look, but don't worry – we're still here to help you and your family eat better and move more. Click here: Healthier Families - Home - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
If you think the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger or needs urgent care, please call 999.
Whilst there are some amazing national services available, we recommend a local first approach. A list of local services can be found at the foot of this text
Street Link is a national service which can be used by members of the public if they see people sleeping rough. Referrals can be made using the hotline (0300 500 0914) or online at Street Link.
This service aims to connect rough sleepers with appropriate services, both statutory and voluntary. Local resources for rough sleepers vary greatly across the country. They can include day centres, contact and assessment teams, soup kitchens and soup runs. Details of such resources can often be obtained by contacting local authorities.
Street assessment teams give rough sleepers information about available health care, night shelters and hostels, and other resources for homeless people. Some hostels and night shelters will only take referrals from a contact and assessment team worker. Some outreach teams will work with people on a long-term basis.
Information on over 9,000 services - hostels, day centres and other advice and support services for homeless people and those at risk of homelessness can be found at Homeless Link
Not sure which local authority area to choose? If you know a postcode you can check which local authority area here.
Homelessness or threat of homelessness - Bedford Borough Council
If you are threatened with homelessness, then please contact us. A Homelessness Solutions Officer will then contact you to arrange a telephone or video call appointment. We provide face-to-face visits in exceptional circumstances only.
Get in touch with our housing team if:
you are asked to leave by friends or family within 56 days (8 weeks)
there is a breakdown in the relationship with your landlord or the person you are living with
you are being evicted, for example, you have been served a Section 21 eviction notice
you are experiencing domestic violence in your home
there is any other reason that puts you at risk of homelessness
When you contact the teams, you will be asked about your circumstances so that we can decide on the best way to help you. This is an assessment of your housing needs so that we can then provide tailored advice about your options.
Housing Solutions Service - Out of Hours Emergency contact information
Select from the options provided in the website link below to find the services and organisations that you are looking for to help you or someone else.
Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support
If you are worried that this person is in crisis, please see section for Suicide Prevention
If no immediate risk take the following steps:
Encourage them to ring:
Samaritans - (All age groups)
Tel: 116 123, open 24 hours a day.
Papyrus - (Young people)
Tel: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
SELF CARE
Encourage the person to contact their GP. Their GP will be able support the person in many ways
Mind 'The charity for better mental health' has an extensive range of self help resources available
The NHS have has a range of self-help tools available
Andy's Man Club provides a weekly talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues/problems they be have faced or currently been facing. Meetings take place regularly in different locations across the region, where applicable these can be found in the local support and contact details section.
For Men -CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer accredited, confidential and free support to men anywhere in the UK through a helpline and web and webchat service. They talk through any issue with you and offer support, advice and signposting.
Quell - Free, safe and anonymous mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK
Kooth - is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous support, for 11-25 year olds
Every Mind Matters
‘Every Mind Matters’ is the first national mental health campaign from Public Health England
It’s an NHS-approved digital hub full of expert advice and practical tips to achieve good mental health
It also has a free NHS-approved online tool - ‘Your Mind Plan’ to help us:
Adults can self-refer to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. IAPT is a national NHS programme, which offers evidence based psychological therapies or interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IAPT is primarily for treating people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IAPT treatments are delivered via a stepped care model where patients are initially offered low intensity therapies, such as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) and guided self-help. If these treatments are unsuccessful, or not appropriate for individuals, higher intensity therapies are utilised and include one to one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT). Please see local support and contact details for further information.
Support Services - Veterans
Veterans Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans. They offer free, confidential 24-hour support to Service and ex-Service personnel who are experiencing mental health issues, including feeling suicidal.
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
Tel: 0808 1961 776 (open 7 days a week, 11am - 10pm)
It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else's health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care after too. The website contains some helpful guides on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline, which parents/careers can call if they are worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. They also run a group called Parents Say, for parents whose children are accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Talk about the Five Ways to Wellbeing. The mental health equivalent to the dietary advice to have ‘5 a day’ fruit and vegetables for physical health.
1. Connect - With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community.
As being well connected is good for your mental wellbeing… Is there anything you could be doing more of?
Can you think of connections that you would like to make or remake?
2. Be Active - Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
What activities do you engage in on a regular basis? How would I like to develop this?
Are there any minor adjustments you can make in your life that can help you to be more active?
3. Take Notice - Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are on a train, eating lunch or talking to friends.
How can you practice slowing down and pausing more often?
What difference will incorporating this into your daily life make?
4. Keep Learning - Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving.
What would you like to learn about? What interests you? What do you value? What would you find useful?
What do you need to do to make learning something you look forward to?
5. Give - Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in.
Do you notice what it’s like for you when you give to others?
What else could you give others that you hadn’t thought of before?
If you have serious concerns for a person, do not leave them on their own and get urgent professional help:
from their GP
by calling 999
by taking them to the nearest accident and emergency department
Remember to make sure that you are safe and do not put yourself at risk.
Heads Up Bedfordshire
HeadsUp is a campaign to help men get happy and stay happy. It has been set up to help men identify and deal with issues that tend to crop up in life from time to time. The website also offers help and advice to friends and family, so they can better support the men in their life.
PapyrusYoung People's hotline available Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
Telephone:0800 068 41 41
Text:07786209697
Email:pat@papyrus-uk.org
CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CAMHS provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.
Self-referrals are not accepted. Referrals are accepted from your GP, health professional, social worker, teacher or youth worker.
Bedfordshire and Luton recovery service Bedfordshire wellbeing service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better. Self-referrals are accepted via the website or by telephone, or contact your GP to arrange a referral.
Email: elt-tr.bedfordiapt@nhs.net
The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
The Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service is for residents of Bedfordshire (excluding Luton who has a separate service) who experience depression, anxiety, sadness, extreme shyness, obsessive behaviour, phobias, relationship difficulties including depression and common mental health symptoms or other psychological issues which are holding them back in their lives.
You can self refer yourself via phone: 01234 880 400
Or you can use this online secure form:online form
Your Wellbeing Bedfordshire
Your Wellbeing Bedfordshire provides information, advice and support to help you solve your own problems and build a good life as a member of the community.
Do you need support and advice to deal with your problems?
Do you want to improve your quality of life and overall wellbeing?
Do you sometimes feel isolated and lonely?
Our Community Wellbeing Champions (CWC's) can provide personalised support to help you make positive changes to take control of your health and wellbeing.
A local mental health charity, with a positive and holistic approach to promoting mental wellbeing. Our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.
Reflect is delivered by trained volunteers and clinicians who are available around the clock to listen and support anyone who is feeling anxious, lonely, overwhelmed or not quite themselves.
To start a conversation, anyone can text (please don’t WhatsApp!) the word reflect (upper or lower case) to 85258. The service is free, anonymous and does not show up on phone bills.
The Mix - Children and Young People support
Children and Young Peoplecan contact the 'The Mix which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline, which parents/careers can call if they are worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. They also run a group called Parents Say, for parents whose children are accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Adultscan self-refer toImproving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. IAPT is a national NHS programme, which offers evidence based psychological therapies or interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IAPT is primarily for treating people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IAPT treatments are delivered via a stepped care model where patients are initially offered low intensity therapies, such as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) and guided self-help. If these treatments are unsuccessful, or not appropriate for individuals, higher intensity therapies are utilised and include one to one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT).Please see local support and contact details for further information.
If you don't do anything, do something. if exercise didn’t involve a whole lot of self-motivation and actual physical activity, but instead came in a pill, it would be hailed immediately as “a wonder drug” such are the health benefits involved.
The Couch to 5k phone app has been designed to help get people off the couch and running in just 9 weeks.
The Active 10 phone app show you how how much brisk walking you do and helps to show you how you can fit a ten minute brisk walk into your day. It breaks this brisk walking down into manageable chunks of ten minutes and encourages at least one session every day (which equates to 70 minutes a week). Users can set their own goals and the app encourages people to progress up to 30 brisk minutes of walking per day, to meet the 150 minutes recommended by the Chief Medical Officer
Why not join a Parkrun in your local area? Did you know that one of the best things about Parkrun and Junior Park run is that you can run, or jog or walk entirely at your own pace. This makes it accessible for those who never could envisage running 2k or 5k and creates an environment where people feel welcome. For those who don’t wish to run, jog or walk there is always the opportunity to volunteer to support your local Parkrun. There is probably a Parkrun local to you…visit http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ for more information.
Be Active – the Active Partnership for Bedfordshire and Luton
Be Active, are inspiring Bedfordshire to Move More! We work to ensure movement is part of everyone’s day to day life, in particular we look to address the inequalities around access to physical activity across Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
We are one of the 43 Active Partnerships across England. Our vision is to have a Healthier and Happier Bedfordshire as well as working to break down barrier to ensure everyone in the country has an equal opportunity to access physical activity.
Find the latest activities, such as parkruns in Bedfordshire that are going on near you from the link below.
No matter how much you do, physical activity is good for your body and mind. Adults should aim to be active every day. Some is good – more is better still.
Couch to 5k App- Step by step guidance building up to being able to run 5km
Active 10 App - Track and build up your daily walks – start with 10 minutes every day!
Did you know that one of the best things about Parkrun and Junior Park run is that you can run, or jog or walk entirely at your own pace. This makes it accessible for those who never could envisage running 2k or 5k and creates an environment where people feel welcome.
Live Longer Better - Bedford is a programme of exercise and physical activity sessions aimed at 60 year olds and over.
Please come along and join us at any of our sessions, no need to book, just turn up and pay cash on the day (except the Bowling and the Swimming which is card payment only). To book, click the website link below.
Provide the details in the Self-Care section below and offer support to help navigate and access the local services – most services have moved to initial contact via phone due to the pandemic, with some elements accessed online (see specific area for contact details/ websites).
The Sexual Health Helpline provides advice and information on all aspects of sexual health, call free on 0300 123 7123 (open from 9am-8pm, Monday-Friday and Saturday-Sunday 11am to 4pm). Calls will be treated with sensitivity and in strict confidence.
This website https://www.contraceptionchoices.org/ is designed to help people decide which method of contraception might suit them best and provides honest information on the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
iCaSH is an integrated contraception and sexual health service which provides all aspects of sexual and reproductive health.
We also work with Terrence Higgins Trust, who provide community outreach services including free condoms, Chlamydia screening and sexual health advice and signposting.
Our staff are trained to provide expert professional advice and care to meet your individual needs with tact and sensitivity, respecting the diversity of our clients. All information that you give us is confidential and we will not tell anyone else about your personal information. However, there are some exceptional circumstances where we would need to share your information to keep you or others safe.
All iCaSH clinics are self-referral, which means that a GP referral letter is not necessary. The service is free, confidential and non-judgemental.
Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser on 0300 123 1044. All lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm*.
Smokefree has lots of free support this includes a smartphone app, email programme or text messages that will keep you focused wherever you are.
You can also speak to your doctor, pharmacy team or local Stop Smoking Service for expert advice on stop smoking medicines.
SELF CARE
Download the NHS Smokefree app from itunes or google play
Get further information from the National Health Service www.nhs.uk/quit
Consider using e-cigarettes to stop smoking
Millions have used Smokefree support to help them stop smoking. Choose from an app, email, SMS and face-to-face guidance.
Emphasise that quitting will the best thing they will ever do and the NHS Smokefree service can provide the friendly and helpful support they need to quit for good
If you or someone you know is looking to quit smoking, we’re here to help. You are up to three times more likely to quit if you use a combination of Stop Smoking medication with specialist help and support from your local Stop Smoking Service. Our friendly, specialist advisors offer free advice and support across Central Bedfordshire.
By getting support from the Stop Smoking Service you will:
Get help to find the right product for you and guidance on how to use it. There are a wide range of products available including a selection of Nicotine Replacement products (NRT), Champix and Zyban (prescribed medications).
Receive specialist behavioural support to help tweak habits and behaviours that trigger the desire to smoke.
Talk to an experienced advisor, who has helped many people to quit and can share their expertise with you.
Have access to specialist resources and information including “My Quit Route”, a comprehensive app that will allow you to plan and organise your quit attempt, supporting you 24 hours a day
The Stop Smoking Service have released a new mobile app 'My Quit Route' designed by a UK based team of clinical, health and research psychologists to help you quit at any time of the day.
“My Quit Route” is a fully personalised programme accessible 24/7 via an app on Android and iOS devices. Self-assess your level of nicotine dependence, get advice on the dangers of continuing to smoke, receive tailored behaviour change support when you need it, track your progress and expenditure, plus there are even built in relaxation techniques to help you stay smoke free. This app works best alongside support from our Stop Smoking Service.
Although most people need some kind of social contact to maintain good mental health, everyone has different social needs. The person may be someone who is content with a few close friends, or they may need a large group of varied acquaintances to feel satisfied.
State that the simplest way to ease feelings of loneliness can be to try to meet more, or different, people.
Can they think of anything they are interested in, a class or a group they have heard of, that could help connect them with new people? SeeUseful contacts for ideas of how to find groups. The Red Cross Connecting Communities team can help you connect with your local community and meet new friends.
Volunteering is a good way of meeting people. Helping others can also really help improve mental health. See Mind's Useful contacts - Mindfor organisations that can help someone find local volunteering opportunities.
The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call 0800 470 8090. The Silver Line can also put you in contact with community activities in your local area
Age UK has a befriending service to support loneliness in later life, this is where a volunteer visits an older person once a week in their own home. There is also telephone befriending Telephone befriending, where a volunteer befriender will phone an older person.
https://www.reengage.org.uk/ Re-engage works with people aged 75 and over who live alone; those who are especially vulnerable to loneliness. Call our freephone number0800 716 543Emailinfo@reengage.org.uk
NHS Choices has a range of advice on Loneliness including volunteering, continuing education and how to engage with social media and computers.
Loneliness in Younger People
It is recognised that loneliness is not something that is exclusive to older adult, indeed many younger adults in particular can experience loneliness and a recent report from the Office for National Statistics highlighted Britain as the loneliness capital of Europe.
Whilst on the outside young people can be very well connected on social media, if this replaces face-to-face contact then it can add to a feeling of loneliness. Some people also present an idealised version of themselves online and we expect to have social lives like those portrayed in the media.
Helplines can reduce loneliness, at least in the short term
The Samaritans are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This number is FREE to call on 116 123
There are also support services onwebsites such as Mind'sthat can remind you you're not alone.
It doesn’t really matter who you talk to first. Some ideas would include: a friend, family member, anonymous listening service like Nightline or the Samaritans, student union welfare rep, personal tutor, students support services staff member, counsellor, or doctor. Decide who is the best person for you to talk to first. Be realistic about what each person can offer. If it doesn’t work out, try someone else. Talk to more than one person.
Age UK Bedfordshire - Telephone Befriending Service
This service is aimed to help older people aged 50 or over, living in Bedfordshire. Our team make contact with the client over the phone to arrange a time and day convenient to the client to call.
We try and keep a regular service providing a friendly voice over the phone to chat and share any concerns with. We take referrals from professionals, concerned others and self referrals. The aim of this service is to tackle loneliness and show there is someone out there who cares, we will always have a friendly ear, and talk through any worries.
All of us can feel lonely or isolated from time to time, whether we live alone or with others. Loneliness is the feeling of sadness that comes from not having as much company or the type of company that you would like, and it affects everyone differently. If you're feeling lonely there are things you can do to help yourself and places you can look for support.
Do you think the person would benefit from some further support to reduce their drinking and / or drug taking to lower risk levels? You can make the following recommendations:
Suggest they speak to their GP or a loved one
Pass on details of national organisations, such as those listed below:
National Support
ALCOHOL
Drinkline
Drinkline provides free, confidential, accurate and consistent information and advice to callers who are concerned about their own or someone else's drinking.
Drink Free Days app - If the person has a smartphone they can download the Better Health Drink Free Days app designed to make it easy to keep an eye on alcohol consumption and take control with daily tips and feedback. Drink less - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Alcoholics Anonymous
Call the free helpline 0800 9177 650
Email help@aamail.org or use the live chat function on their website
A non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs. There is only ONE requirement for membership, the desire to stop using.
Path 2 Recovery offers free, confidential, addiction services for all adult Central Bedfordshire residents and those with a GP in Central Bedfordshire. Anyone at any stage of their alcohol or drug difficulties is welcome, with a single point of access to assessment and treatment for both substance misuse and associated emotional / mental health needs.
With an individual assessment and personal recovery plan, the team offers one-to-one and group therapies to help sustained recovery, including the opportunity to volunteer and support others in the future.
SAMAS is a service delivered across Bedfordshire. Run by Community Led Initiatives, SAMAS works to build a recovery community which can support long term recovery for individuals while enabling them to reach their full potential.
By supporting people throughout their recovery journeys, SAMAS creates a mentorship cycle which allows the people who benefit from the service to lead in its development and day to day running. Working with every individual to identify their strengths where others see risk, means anyone can make a positive change despite their experience with addiction, mental ill health or offending.
If you’re worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life then phone 999, you should stay with that person until help arrives. Do not put your own safety at risk by getting physically involved.
If no immediate risk take the following steps:
Encourage them to ring:
Samaritans - (All age groups)
Tel: 116 123, open 24 hours a day.
Papyrus - (Young people)
Tel: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Open 9am - midnight every day
Other options include:
contact their GP for an emergency appointment or call the out of hours service.
call their Mental Health worker, if they have one.
call their social worker or key worker, if they have one
encourage to re-engage with mental health services if already engaged
If they don’t want help, don’t push them. Sometimes it’s easy to want to try and fix a person’s problems, or give them advice but try and at least leave a couple of key telephone numbers with them for Samaritans any local support numbers for their area (Crisis teams etc).
It’s usually better for people to make their own decisions. Help them think of all the options, but leave the choice to them.
A person may not be suicidal but you may still be concerned
Encourage them to contact their GP, they will be familiar with their medical history and will be able to direct them appropriately which may include a referral to IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). IAPT teams are skilled in helping people 18 years old and older overcome emotional and mental difficulties like:
All the local IAPT services are listed under the 'Mental Health' section of MECC Link and can be found within the 'local support and contact details' section.
SELF CARE
Hub of Hope - Postcode based directory of services
Mind 'The charity for better mental health' has an extensive range of self help resources available
TheNHS has has a range of self-help tools available
Andy's Man Clubprovides weekly groups, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues/problems they have faced or are currently facing. There's a search function to find your nearest group.
HeadsUp is a campaign to help men get happy and stay happy. It has been set up to help men identify and deal with issues that tend to crop up in life from time to time. The website also offers help and advice to friends and family, so they can better support the men in their life.
PapyrusYoung People's hotline available Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
Telephone:0800 068 41 41
Text:07786209697
Email:pat@papyrus-uk.org
CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
CAMHS provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.
Self-referrals are not accepted. Referrals are accepted from your GP, health professional, social worker, teacher or youth worker.
Bedfordshire wellbeing service Bedfordshire wellbeing service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better. Self-referrals are accepted via the website or by telephone, or contact your GP to arrange a referral.
Bedfordshire and Luton recovery service Bedfordshire wellbeing service offers a range of free and confidential talking therapies and specialist support to help you feel better. Self-referrals are accepted via the website or by telephone, or contact your GP to arrange a referral.
