Carers in Bedfordshire - Parent Together group

We are hosting a weekly Zoom Coffee and Chat morning, starting this Thursday at 11am. We hope this will be a great opportunity to catch up and connect with each other during lockdown.

If you would like to join us, please give us a call on 0300 111 1919 to register and then you will be sent the details for joining us.

We would love to see you. Please do get in contact if you would like to join us.

We support over 7,000 carers across Bedfordshire, all of whom will be impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak. Due to the outbreak all groups have been postponed.

We have put additional resource into our telephone support service and online resources. Our 0300 111 1919 phone line will be picked up by admin and support staff who will be able to support you as normal.

If you know a carer in need or are one yourself, please do continue to contact us - we are here to help in any way we can. 

• Ring 0300 111 1919 between 9.30 and 4.30pm. Calls will be diverted to our team working from home.

• Support workers will be available by email and on the phone. Check the How We Can Help section of the website for contact details.

• We are still accepting registrations and referrals.

• NHS Carers Grant applications will be processed as usual.  Deadlines for spending money awarded from the Grants Schemehave been extended by 6 months to make sure everyone can benefit fully.

• Carers discount card applications are still being processed and may be accepted as proof of carers ID.

Carers in Bedfordshire have a variety of services for Parent Carers (carers of under 18s) including; groups, 1-1 support, training and advice.

We provide support for all unpaid carers, you do not need to have a formal diagnosis or receive disability benefits to access our support services.

Who is a Parent Carer?

A parent carer is a parent (or adult with parental responsibility - ie Grandparent, Foster parent/Guardian etc), who cares for a child or young person aged 18 or under with any additional need. Often the needs of young person are life-long and the challenges being faced develop as the child/young person grows. Parent carers are life long advocates for their children. 

Being a parent carer can mean juggling various aspects of your and your child's lives at the same time, including but not limited to:

• schooling/education
• health
• housing
• social care including respite
• siblings 
• employment/benefits
• family relationships and dynamics

Our Parent Carer Support worker is called Jon Clingan he is an experienced support workers. He understand the difficulties families face when raising a child with additional needs. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. He provides regular training sessions on a variety of topics relevant to caring for a child/young person with additional needs.

Parents Together - Bedford

For parent carers or those who support a child under 18 with additional needs. A chance to meet others, get information and advice. Speakers often come along to this group.

2nd Friday of the month from 9:30am - 11:30am  at Community Centre, 147 Church Lane, Bedford, MK41 0PW.  Please note that dates and times may change in the school holidays.

2020 Dates: 1 May, 12 June, 10 July

For more information, contact jon.clingan@carersinbeds.org.uk or 0300 111 1919.