Services for disadvantaged people in Bedford

If you need help, we've got your back! Horizon Radio is here to help signpost organisations in the local area who offer practical help and support to people in our local community when they are in need.

Please reach out to the following organisations when you need a helping hand.

Financial & Housing Support

• Bedford Borough Council – Cost of Living Support: Provides information and support for residents struggling with the cost of living, including help with food, energy bills, rent, Council Tax and benefits.

• Bedford Borough Council – Crisis and Resilience Fund: Provides support for people experiencing financial crisis, including help with sudden unexpected expenses or loss of income. The new scheme replaces the Household Support Fund.

• Citizens Advice Bedford: Offers free, confidential advice on benefits, debt, housing, employment, family issues and other problems. Bedford Citizens Advice can also help people access emergency food support where appropriate.

• Bedford Foodbank: Provides emergency food and practical support for local people experiencing financial crisis. Foodbank support is accessed through a referral and voucher system. Bedford Citizens Advice can help with referrals. You can call 01234 867944 for help accessing a voucher.

• Bedford Borough Council – Homelessness Support: If you are homeless or have nowhere safe to stay, the council's Housing Advice and Assessment service can assess your circumstances and explain what support may be available. Call 01234 718058 during opening hours, or 01234 267422 in an emergency outside those hours.

• Bedford Borough Council – Local Welfare Provision: The council provides information about emergency financial assistance and other support for vulnerable residents facing exceptional difficulties.

Adult Social Care & Disability Services

• Bedford Borough Council Adult Social Care: Adults aged 18 and over living in Bedford Borough can ask for a care and support assessment. Depending on your needs, support may include information and advice, care at home, equipment, direct payments and other services. Call 01234 276168.

• Bedford Borough Council – Physical Disability Services: Offers support to adults with physical disabilities, including equipment and assistive technology, reablement, home care, respite, daytime activities and support to live independently.

• Bedford Borough Council – Learning Disability Services: Provides advice and support for adults and young people with learning disabilities, including help with accommodation, employment, day opportunities, living independently, respite care and personal budgets.

• Bedford Borough Council – Support for Carers: Unpaid carers can request an assessment to identify their own needs and find out what support may be available.

• Bedford Borough Council – Adult Social Care Needs Assessment: If you feel you need care or support, you can request an assessment. The assessment is free and can help identify what assistance may be available.

Emotional & Practical Support

• Bedford Samaritans: Provides a confidential listening service for anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to talk to. You can call 116 123 free from any phone, day or night, 365 days a year.

• Age UK Bedfordshire: Supports older people and their carers with information and advice, practical help at home, befriending, respite for carers and other services. Their Information and Advice Service can help with benefits, housing, health and social care. Call 01234 360510.

• Age UK Bedfordshire – Telephone Befriending: Offers regular telephone contact and a friendly voice for people aged 50 and over who may be experiencing loneliness or isolation.

• Age UK Bedfordshire – Home Help: Provides practical help around the home for people aged 50 and over, including cleaning, laundry, shopping and preparing light meals.

• Age UK Bedfordshire – Carers Respite Service: Provides respite and sitting services to give unpaid carers a break while their loved one is cared for safely.

Homelessness & Rough Sleeping

• Bedford Borough Council – Rough Sleeping Support: If you are sleeping rough, or are concerned about someone who is, you can report it through StreetLink. The alert is passed to local services and the council's outreach team.

• StreetLink: Allows you to report someone who is sleeping rough so that local outreach services can connect them with support.

• Bedford Homeless Partnership: Works with local organisations to provide support for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in Bedford.

Food & Emergency Help

• Bedford Foodbank: Provides emergency food parcels containing several days of food for people experiencing crisis. You will normally need a voucher from a local referral agency.

• Bedford Foodbank – Locations: Find foodbank distribution centres across Bedford and details of opening times and locations.

• Help through Hardship: If you are facing a financial crisis and cannot afford food, you can call the free national Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 208 2138, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Advisers can help identify financial support and, where appropriate, arrange a foodbank voucher.

Older People & Carers

• Age UK Bedfordshire: Provides a wide range of services for older people and their carers across Bedfordshire, including advice, home help, befriending, handyperson services and respite care.

• Age UK Bedfordshire – Information & Advice: Free, impartial and confidential advice for older people, covering benefits, housing, health, social care and other issues. The service can also help with benefit forms and applications.

• Age UK Bedfordshire – Handyperson Service: Offers practical assistance for people aged over 50, including fitting grab rails and key safes and carrying out small DIY jobs around the home.

How to Get Help

• For urgent financial or welfare support: Contact Bedford Borough Council's welfare team on 01234 718033.

• For emergency food support: Contact Bedford Citizens Advice on 01234 867944 to discuss getting a Bedford Foodbank voucher.

• For Adult Social Care: Contact Bedford Borough Council's Adult Services team on 01234 276168.

• If you are homeless or have nowhere safe to stay: Contact Bedford Borough Council on 01234 718058. Outside normal hours, call 01234 267422 in an emergency.

• If you are sleeping rough or see someone sleeping rough: Make a referral through StreetLink so local outreach services can respond.

• If you need someone to talk to: Call Bedford Samaritans on 116 123, free from any phone, day or night.

• For advice on benefits, debt, housing or other problems: Contact Citizens Advice Bedford for free, confidential advice.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical assistance, call 999.