Adult Services

View the useful contact numbers

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

Email: autism-connect@autismwestmidlands.org.uk

Website: www.autismconnect.com 

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

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

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

Email: enquiries@autismbeds.org

Website: www.autismbedfordshire.net

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

Milton Keynes Bereavement Service

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

Telephone: 07483 308 032

Website: www.bereavementservicemk.org.uk

The Compassionate Friends

Supporting bereaved parents & their families after a child dies.

Telephone: 0345 123 2304

Website: www.tcf.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.crusebedfordshire.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

Screening Programs

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

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Cancer Research UK

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

Telephone: 0808 800 4040

Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org

Macmillan Cancer Support

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

Telephone: 0808 808 00 00

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk

Marie Curie Cancer Care

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

Telephone: 0800 090 2309

Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk

CareChoices: Bedfordshire Care 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

Website: www.carechoices.co.uk

Bedfordshire Memory Navigation Service

When you’re caring for someone with dementia, it is very easy to ignore your own needs and to forget to look after yourself too. The type of support you need will vary depending on your individual circumstances.

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

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

Carers in Bedforshire

Carers in Bedfordshire strive to identify and support all carers of family and friends. They aim to enhance their health and well-being by offering specialist support according to their needs and wishes, making sure carers’ voices are heard and respected in the development and delivery of all services.

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Website: www.carersinbeds.org.uk

Carers UK

Provides support to those in the Central Bedfordshire Council area and the Bedford Borough Council area.

Telephone: 0300 111 1919

Email: contact@carersinbeds.org.uk

Website: www.carersuk.org

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

They aim to befriend, listen and give practical help to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families in mid-Bedfordshire and Ivel Valley. It is a free and confidential service. Volunteers visit patients in their homes for up to three hours per week.

Telephone: 01234 743 063

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

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

Sorted

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

Telephone: 01582 891 435

Website: www.sortedbedfordshire.org.uk

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

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

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

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

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

When Should I Worry?

Your guide to coughs, colds, earache and sore throats in children.

When Should I Worry?

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

CHUMS

Mental health and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people.

Website: www.chums.uk.com

Slapped Cheek Syndrome

Slapped cheek syndrome is a viral infection that’s most common in children, It usually causes a bright red rash to develop on the cheeks.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Fever in Children

A fever is a high temperature. As a general rule, in children, a temperature of over 37.5C (99.5F) is a fever.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Further information

From warts and measles to chickenpox and tonsillitis, find out how to recognise some of the most common childhood conditions.

Website: www.nhs.uk

ChildLine

ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything -no problem is too big or too small.

Website: www.childline.org.uk

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMH) provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems in young people up to the age of 18.

Website:www.sendguide.bedford.gov.uk

Headlice

Head lice are tiny insects that live in human hair. They’re particularly common in children.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that can affect young children.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Chicken Pox

Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point.

Website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox

Health Visitors

If you pay your council tax to Central Bedfordshire Council please call 01525 631199 (Ampthill)

If you pay your council tax to Milton Keynes Council please call 01908 355175 (Neath Hill)

Vaccination planner

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

Website: www.nhs.uk

Walk 4 Health Woburn

Walking is Brilliant and It’s Free!

You don’t have to plan it: all you need are your feet and a pair of outdoor shoes. You can even do it in the rain.

View Walk 4 Health poster here.

Love Woburn Sands

Love Woburn Sands is a developing community project set up together by Churches Together. It is a positive and fast moving initiative primarily funded by the Diocese of St. Albans.

Website: www.lovewoburnsands.com

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

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 is 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

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

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

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

Disability Resource Centre

Free help and advice for disabled people, including carers and families of disabled people, older people and those affected by long-term health conditions.

Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk

Flitwick & District Stroke Club

Meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 14:00 to 16.30 at the Ellenshaw Court, Hinksley Road, Flitwick, Beds.

Telephone: 01525 717181 (John Farmer).

Headway Bedford

Headway Bedford provide a supportive and stimulating environment for people who have suffered 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: mkcil.org.uk

Email: info@mkcil.org.uk

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

Path to Recovery (P2R)

Drug and Alcohol Services supporting the changes you want to make to your drug and alcohol use.

Telephone: 01234 352 220

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

Alcohol Services for the Community

ASC is an independent agency specialising in alcohol use. They have been running since 1979 and have projects across Luton and Bedfordshire. The aim of ASC is to promote a healthier lifestyle without reliance on alcohol or other drugs.

Website: www.alcohol-services.co.uk

Spaced

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

Telephone: 01234 352 220

Website: www.earlyhelp.bedford.gov.uk

Further information

For more information about the benefits of drinking less, top tips and more visit NHS – Drinking and Alcohol

Alternatively, for more information on how drug misuse can be harmful to your health visit NHS – The Effects of Drugs

Addaction

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

Website: www.addaction.org.uk

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 9177 650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

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

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

Alzheimer’s Society

Alzheimer’s Society believe passionately that life doesn’t end when dementia begins. They are here for anyone affected by dementia, and they do everything we can to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.

Telephone: 0300 222 1122

Website: www.alzheimers.org.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

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

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross provide support at home, transport and mobility aids to help people when they face a crisis in their daily lives.

Website: www.redcross.org.uk

Silver Line

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

Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90

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

Talk to your loved ones about....

Advanced Care Plan Leaflet

Create your own Advanced Care Plan

It is never too early to think about the consequence of becoming ill or frail and to talk through with your loved ones and professional carers.

Website: www.bedfordshireccg.nhs.uk

Eye Conditions

Local opticians offer a service to see patients who have minor eye conditions

Website: www.bedfordshireccg.nhs.uk

Antenatal Care

Calculate your Due Date

Your Antenatal Appointments Explained

Find Maternity Services Near you

The Grove Pregnancy Advice Centre

The Grove is a part of The Hope Trust (Bedford) a registered Christian charity. They receive referrals from health professionals, Social Services and other organisations, with clients also able to refer themselves for all services.

Telephone: 01234 355 408

Website: www.thegrovepac.org.uk

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Planning your Pregnancy

If you’re planning on getting pregnant, you can improve your chances of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Postnatal Care

Your six week post natal check

Association for Post Natal Illness

National Childbirth Trust

For practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood including help with feeding.

Website: www.nct.org.uk

Need to find a baby change room in a hurry? Avoid the stress and let our Babychange app show you the way.

Download the app

Further information

Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here –

Website: NHS Choices – Your Pregnancy & Baby Guide

Depression Alliance

Depression Alliance bring people together to end the loneliness and isolation that so often comes with depression.

Website: www.depressionalliance.org

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.

The college is open to any adults who live or work in Bedfordshire and Luton. All of their courses and workshops are FREE of CHARGE.

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

Mind

Information and support for all mental health issues.

Mind infoline: 0300 123 3393

Website: mind.org.uk

Rethink

Help, information and support for all those affected by mental illness.

Website: rethink.org

Further information

For more information about mental health, ways to cope with it and more visit

NHS Choices – Mental Health

One You – Felling stressed?

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.

For more information, or to refer a young person, email sharon.paulger@mkuh.nhs.uk or call 01908 996124.

Download Referral Form

The Day Resource Centre

Providing an integrated and flexible approach for the treatment of mental health needs.

Telephone: 01234 310 044

Website: www.earlyhelp.bedford.gov.uk

Samaritans

If something is troubling you, call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year – 116 123

Website: samaritans.org

Barford Avenue Resource Centre

The Barford Avenue Resource Centre offers a service for adults over the age of 16 who are experiencing mental health difficulties and who live in Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire.

Telephone: 01234 215 610

Website: www.elft.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: reading-well.org.uk

Email: readingagency@standagency.com

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 tranquillisers.

Telephone: 0844 967 4848

Website: nopanic.org.uk

OCD Action

OCD Action provide support and information to anybody affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorders.

Telephone: 0845 390 6232

Website: ocdaction.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

Website: www.elft.nhs.uk

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

Physiotherapy Self-Referrals

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

Find out if you are eligible and complete the form.

NHS Choices

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 which involves the patient directly in their own care.

Website: www.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

iCaSH

iCaSH provide all aspects of sexual health, including contraception, STI testing and treatment, and psychosexual services.

Website: icash.nhs.uk

MK Sexual Health

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

Website: www.mksexualhealth.co.uk

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.icash.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: relate.org.uk

Q:alliance

Q:alliance is a registered charity which provides support, information and representation for LGBT+ people who live, work and play in Milton Keynes.

Website: qalliance.org.uk

Sexual Health Helplines

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Further information

For more information about Sexual Health topics including a contraception guide visit NHS Choices – Sexual Health

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

Luton Women's Centre

Luton Women’s Centre provide a safe and accessible Women only environment, a resource centre allowing easy access to all the services available for women.

Telephone: 01582 416 783

Website: lutonallwomenscentre.org.uk

Bedford Debt Centre

The Bedford Debt Centre is run in partnership with Grace Community Church and gives free debt advice to anyone who feels weighed down by debt.

Website: www.capuk.org

Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership

The Partnership beings together key agencies across Bedfordshire to raise awareness, to deliver services and to work together to improve the local response to domestic abuse.

Website: bedsdv.org.uk

The Money Charity

The Money Charity empowers people across the UK to build the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, to make the most of their money throughout their lives.

Website: themoneycharity.org.uk

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous 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 do the same.

Website: gamblersanonymous.org.uk

BRASS

Brass supports refugees and asylum seekers in Bedfordshire, providing advice on a range of issues, English language tuition, and social activities.

Website: brassbedford.org.uk

GamCare

GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

Website: gamcare.org.uk

Get NHS Support Now

Choose from an app, Quit Kit, email, SMS and face-to-face guidance.

Website: nhs.uk/smokefree

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

Patient Transport to Hospital

The CCGs in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Luton are working together with East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EAST), to provide priority and non-priority patient transport to hospital appointments.

Patients: 0345 605 1208
The line is open Monday to Sunday, 08:00 – 18:00

Patients who can make their own way to their appointments are asked to do that if they can. Patients are not advised to book their own taxis and CCGs no longer reimburse taxi fares.

Signpost for Bedfordshire

Supporting those affected by crime in Bedfordshire

Whether it is you, a partner, friend, relative or colleague who has been the subject of a crime, Signpost to Support Bedfordshire is the way for you to find the help that meets your specific needs.

Telephone: 0800 0282 887

Website: www.signpostforbedfordshire.com

Beezee Bodies (Bedfordshire Patients Only)

Beezee Bodies runs programmes designed to help you and your family make small changes which make a big difference.

Telephone: 01234 363774

Website: www.beezeebodies.com

Email: info@beezeebodies.co.uk

Want to get more active?

Get help and advice from the NHS including 10 Minute workouts, 12 week fitness plan, running and cycling for beginners and much more.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Get started on the NHS 12 Week Weight Loss Plan

The plan is designed to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Lighter Life

Combing effective, nutritious plans to help you quickly reach the weight you want, using ground-breaking counselling techniques so you can change how you think about food.

Website: lighterlife.com

Further NHS information

For more information about the benefits of losing weight, top tips and more visit

NHS Choices – Weight Loss

One You – How healthy is your food?

One You – How much have you moved today?

WW International

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. There are options and support, whatever your lifestyle, from WW International (formerly Weight Watchers).

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