Useful Links

The following links are for your information and convenience. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is not responsible for the content of other websites.

Please see the following information in line with our links policy.

Local Authorities and Organisations
Age concern Luton – helping older people and their carers get the services they need
Autism Bedfordshire – providing information and support to individuals with Autistic Spectrum Conditions
Beds and Luton Mind – for better mental health
Bedford Borough Healthwatch – The new local consumer champion for publicly funded health and social care
Bedford’s new Local Offer website has been created as an online, one-stop-shop where parents, children, young people and professionals can find out about the education, health and social care support services, voluntary organisations, charities and groups that are available to help children and young people with SEND and to support families.
Central Beds Council
Luton Citizens Advice Bureau
Cruse Bedfordshire – Bereavement Support
Scope– Local disability information and advice
The Disability Resource Centre– Supporting disabled people, Carers and family members in Bedfordshire and Luton
Healthwatch Luton– An independent voluntary organisation created to bring together people’s views and experiences in order to improve health and social care services in Luton
Luton Borough Council
Luton Cultural Services Trust– Museums & Libraries
Luton’s new Local Offer – Luton’s new Local Offer website has been created as an online, one-stop-shop where parents, children, young people and professionals can find out about the education, health and social care support services, voluntary organisations, charities and groups that are available to help children and young people with SEND and to support families.

Aids and Equipment
Hearing and Mobility – We have an extensive range of mobility aids and equipment
Shopmobility – Scooter loans & escorted shops
Guide for home adaptions for blind or partially sighted people – The Ultimate Guide to Adapting Your Home If You have Visual Impairment

Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking
Action on Addition – We take action to disarm addiction
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) – provides information on giving-up smoking
Alcohol Concern – national agency on alcohol misuse
Smoke Free – NHS website with advice on stopping smoking
Talk to Frank– an A-Z of drug information
Turning Point– Assistance with substance misuse and a range of other issues

Path 2 Recovery (P2R) – Alcohol Liaison Service

Care and Support
Carers UK – To help the millions of people who look after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend
Dementia Action Alliance (DAA)– Supporting the needs and rights for family carers
Home Instead – Independent UK home care provider
Independent Age– older people, their families & carers
Keech Hospice Care – support for people diagnosed with a life-limiting condition
Luton Carers Network – Jane Leek
Carers Trust – Action, help and advice
Young carer – part of the Children’s Society

Communication
National Aphasia Association (NAA)- For people living with aphasia, a communication disability which usually occurs after stroke or brain injury

Health and nutritional information
Nutritionist Resource– Find a professional nutritionist in your area
Patient UK– Trusted medical information and support

Hearing
Action on Hearing Loss – formerly RNID

Infertility
Fertility Network UK– The National Infertility Support Network

Keeping Fit and Active
Active Luton – Runs local swimming and sports centres

NHS Related Sites
Beds and Herts Breast screening service – Part of the National Breast Screening programme
Cambridge Community Services NHS Trust – Providing community health services
Care Quality Commission – Independent inspection body for NHS
Great Ormond Street Hospital– One of the world’s leading children’s hospitals
NHS BLMK Integrated Care Board – Replaced the old CCG
NHS choices – Search for local NHS services
Essex Partnership Trust (EPUT) – Providing partnership services in Bedfordshire, Essex and Luton

Pregnancy, Babies and Parents
Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) – Information and support for women affected by pre-eclampsia
Antenatal Results & Choices (ARC) – Support and information to parents throughout the antenatal testing process
Association for Post-Natal Illness (APNI) – Support to mothers suffering from post-natal illness
BLISS – The Premature Baby Charity providing a support network for families of babies who need intensive or special care
British Pregnancy Advisory Service – Provides information on emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and what to do next
Group B Strep Support – Offers information to families and professionals affected by GBS
La Leche League (Breastfeeding) – Promotes a better understanding of breast feeding
Miscarriage Association – Information, advice and support for women who have had or who are having a miscarriage
National Childbirth Trust – Information and support for mothers
Family Lives – Offers support to anyone parenting a child
SANDS – Stillbirth and neonatal death charity
Twins trust – Provides information and support for families of twins, triplets and more

Sepsis

Sepsis Trust – useful resources relating to sepsis

Sexual Health
i-base – HIV treatment and advocacy
NAM aidsmap- Sharing information about HIV and AIDS
Terrence Higgins Trust– Support and information on HIV

Sight
Royal Institute for the blind (RNIB) – Provides anyone who has visual problems with practical solutions
Sight Concern Bedfordshire – support for people with sight impairment

Stroke links
Stroke Association – Information and support to people who have had a stroke, their families and carers
Different Strokes – A service for younger stroke survivors

Therapy
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – Search for a counsellor in your area
Relate – Support for couples, families and individuals in all aspects of relationships

National Authorities and Organisations
Age UK – To inspire, enable and support older people to make the most of later life
British Allergy Foundation – Help and advice on allergies
Alzheimer’s Society– Leading the fight against dementia
Asthma UK – The UK’s leading asthma charity
Ataxia – Help, support and advice for those affected by Ataxia
The National Autistic Society – The leading UK charity for people with autism
Contact a Family – for families with disabled children
Diabetes UK – Cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of every person affected by or at risk of diabetes
Discover Islam – Dedicated to promoting a better understanding of Islam and Muslims
Down’s Syndrome Association – Providing information and support
Epilepsy Society– providing advice and support for those affected
Family Action– A leading provider of services to disadvantaged and socially isolated families
The International Glaucoma Association– Providing support to thousands of glaucoma sufferers
Good Care Group – Specialisng in providing 24 hour live in care at home on permanent or respite basis across the UK
The British Heart Foundation– The UK’s number one heart charity
Helpline UK – for those who could be vulnerable or at risk in their own home anywhere in the UK
Home Start – support and friendship for families
Marie Curie Cancer Care – Care and support to those with a terminal illness
Macmillan – Support to those affected by cancer
Mencap – The voice of learning disability
The Migraine Trust – The health and medical research charity for migraine in the UK
Mind – We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
Multiple Sclerosis Society– The UK’s leading MS charity
National Osteoporosis Society – dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and fragility fractures
Parkinson’s UK– Support for those affected by Parkinson’s Disease
British Red Cross – A volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis
Rethink Mental Illness – 1 in 4 people in the UK are affected by mental illness
RettUK – Support for families affected by Rett syndrome
Samaritans – International support
Shine – To help families and individuals affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus
Spinal Injuries Association – The leading national user-led charity for spinal cord injured (SCI) people
Tuberous Sclerosis Association – Providing support to families affected by TS across the UK
Weight Loss Surgery Information and Support (wlsinfo) – A patient led support group and information resource