WELCOME TO SMALL GOOD STUFF BEDFORD BOROUGH

A directory of small, local care and support services. It connects people who are seeking care and support in local areas with others who can help.

Local links

Community organisations and resources

• Age UK Bedfordshire – A variety of services for older people and their carers, such as information and advice, as well as home help, gardening, and handy person services.
• Bedford Dementia Intensive Support Service (DISS) – Providing specialist support to those living with dementia, as well as family, carers, and professionals looking after those with the condition.
• Bedfordshire Opportunities for Learning Disabilities Ltd – Providing a wide range of services for adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviours, focusing on life and work experiences, learning, growth, and development. They offer various activities like gardening, arts and crafts, drama, gym, sports, education, and training, even operating their own café. Their goal is to help individuals to build self-esteem, discover their abilities, and gain a sense of purpose and achievement.
• Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity – Working across Bedfordshire to support rural communities by promoting charitable purposes, particularly in areas like education, health, and poverty relief. They do this through a variety of projects and initiatives, including community transport, rural development, and supporting local businesses. 
• Bedford – Stroke Recovery Service – Providing comprehensive support to stroke survivors, their families, and carers in the Bedford Borough, helping them navigate life after a stroke. They offer personalised plans as well as practical and emotional support, signposting to local services and advocacy support. 
• BlueSkyBrokers – Providing specialist information and advice, particularly in the field of social care, direct payments, and personal budgets. They offer a range of services, including support with recruitment of personal assistants, managing personal budgets, and providing training and advice to both individuals and employers. 
• Carers in Bedfordshire – Providing support services to family carers and former carers in the Bedford Borough. These services include one-to-one support, practical advice, peer support groups, counselling, and wellbeing sessions, among other things. They also offer help with hospital admissions, grants, and benefits advice, and a memory navigation support service. 
• Disability Resource Centre – An organisation led by people with lived experience of disability, their families, carers, and health and social care professionals who work with them to support anyone with a disability or health condition in Milton Keynes, Luton, and across Bedfordshire.
• Good Neighbour Schemes – Providing practical and emotional support to residents, often focusing on those who are vulnerable or may need assistance with everyday tasks. They help people remain independent in their homes and communities, and reduce feelings of isolation. 
• Healthwatch Bedford Borough – An independent local health and social care champion. They gather and represent the views of the public on health and social care services in the area.
• Lifestyle Hub – Bedford Hospital – A central point of contact for individuals seeking support and guidance on improving their health and wellbeing. It offers consultations with lifestyle advisors, information on various services, and referrals to relevant support groups and programmes. 
• Live Longer Better – Bedford – Exercise and physical activity sessions for individuals aged 60 and over in the Bedford Borough. These sessions aim to improve physical fitness, flexibility, and balance, while also fostering a sense of community and belonging through social interaction.
• Queen’s Park Community Organisation – A grassroots charity that empowers local people to make a difference by addressing social exclusion, poverty, and building community capacity. They do this through various programmes and initiatives, focusing on areas like welfare, capacity building, recreation, and the relief of poverty.
• MIND BMLK – Providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding, not giving up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
• Parent Carer Forum – Supporting parents and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in the Bedford Borough, aged 0 – 25. They work with local authorities, as well as health and other providers, to ensure that services meet the needs of SEND children and their families. 
• Tibbs Dementia Foundation – Providing a wide range of services for people with dementia and their carers, aiming to support their wellbeing throughout the dementia journey. These services include music therapy, cognitive stimulation, physical activities, information and peer support, and more. 

Help to get set up

• Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce – Working to support and connect businesses in the region with a focus on local, regional, and national business growth. They act as a voice for businesses, representing their interests at all levels of government and providing various services to help members succeed. 
• Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation – The leading local grant maker in the county. They are passionate about improving the lives of people in Bedfordshire and Luton, and known for ground-breaking initiatives, investing in supporting local charities, and forging deep relationships with grassroots groups in the area.
• Community Voluntary Service – A voluntary and community sector support organisation, offering a range of services and enabling local organisations and communities to make a difference in Bedfordshire. They provide advice, information, and training, as well as promoting volunteering and matching volunteers with local opportunities.
• Harpur Trust – A grantmaking charity in the Bedford Borough supporting, providing, and promoting education, also giving grants to local community projects looking after older people.
• The Jobs Hub – Offering bespoke careers advice, guidance, and help to find work, training, and business opportunities to people of all ages who live in the Bedford Borough.
• Wenta – One of England’s largest independent, not-for-profit, social enterprises that exist to make it easier and greener to start and run a successful business.

Interested in offering care or support?

We can help you get set up

Community micro-enterprise project in the Bedford Borough

This project aims to stimulate the development and growth of community micro-enterprises throughout the Bedford Borough that provide a wide range of help and support for older and disabled people at home and in the community. If you’re thinking about working for yourself, please contact Progamme Catalyst Elaine Davin-Jones on bedfordmicros@communitycatalysts.co.uk or 07503 800094.