Social Prescribing
‍

‍

Our team of Community Wellbeing Champions can help you:

• Connect with your local community

• Enable you to be more physically active and improve your wellbeing, helping you stay well

• Empower you to make decisions to support your health and wellbeing

Helping you make changes

CWC’s can listen to your story and give you support to join local services such as exercise classes and social groups.

They can also work one-to-one to help you set health-related goals and support you to make sustainable changes.

How to get help

If you live in Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire, you can self-refer by contacting yourwellbeingbedfordshire.org.uk/help/one-to-one-support-request/

‍

Good Neighbour Schemes

Good Neighbour Schemes (sometimes known as village care schemes) are set up and run by local residents who offer help and support to fellow residents of their town or village.
All volunteers are insured, and DBS checked. Most help is free, unless expenses such as petrol or parking have been incurred, but donations are always welcome.

Volunteers do not take on tasks best suited to trained professionals or the emergency services but can help out with the occasional things that can make all the difference, such as:

• lifts to the shops or doctors;

• collecting shopping;

• small household jobs such as changing a     lightbulb or opening a jar;

• walking the dog;

Even popping round for a chat over a cup of tea – or anything else that one neighbour might do for another.

For more information contact bedsrcc.org.uk/what-we-do/health-wellbeing/good-neighbour/

‍

Door to Door

 
Door to Door is pleased to provide wheelchair accessible minibuses for people unable to use public transport in the Bedford area.
Our aim is to provide a safe, accessible service for those who are unable to use ordinary public transport due to disability, either temporary or permanent.

Vehicles used are constructed for ease of access, even if a wheelchair is required, all vehicles are fitted with a tail lift and staff can escort you to or from your door if needed.

The staff and volunteers of Door to Door aim to provide at all times a reliable, personal, and friendly service, allowing added freedom and independence.

• Journeys can be booked for Monday – Friday, 9:15am to 4:15pm.

• We need to have your booking by 12 noon, two working days ahead (for example if you wanted to travel on Thursday you will need to let us know on Tuesday)

• Advance bookings for specific health-related appointments can be made by contacting our enquiry line, between 9am and 4pm, on 01234 834933. Please leave plenty of time between contacting us and your actual appointment date.

Price: £30 for the first year and £20 annually thereafter | (Minimum charge per journey £3)

Call 01234 834933 or email us: communitytransport@bedsrcc.org.uk

‍

Warden Abbey Vineyard

Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity now lease the vineyard in an ambitious project to provide a unique community and educational resource.

The community vineyard is a not-for-profit venture.  We work with other local charities, organisations, and local schools to offer:

·       a unique setting for horticultural therapy

·       learning and skills development

·       help for people into employment or voluntary work

·       a range of volunteering opportunities for local people and community groups, and a great chance to be involved from vine to wine

·       wildlife and heritage projects

·       a secure future for this historic vineyard

Tours and picnics

These events allow visitors to explore the history of the vineyard – from medieval origins to modern times – and to find out about the vines. There’s also the opportunity to taste and purchase the wines.

The picnics are a great day out. Bring a rug and a picnic and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with family and friends among the vines. You can take a free self-guided or virtual tour too, and enjoy chilled wine from the marquee.

Each picnic coincides with the nearby Shuttleworth air show and there’s usually a chance to spot planes heading across Old Warden, although this may depend on which way the wind is blowing.

Well behaved dog son leads are welcome too.

Visitthe wardenvineyard.org.uk for more information.

Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity are also always looking for volunteers. If you would like to get involved with any of the schemes or services please contactbedsrcc.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/