History
Watch our founders remember how The Disability Resource Centre all started.
1989
The concept of a local resource centre is established by local disabled people.
Partnerships are formed with the local health authority and community trust.
Initial user engagement commences and a project group is formed.
1994
Charity created.
First employees.
Poynters House opens and welcomes first services and tenants.
Services provided: Information and Equipment.
1996
Poynters House opened by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.
The Disability Resource Centre partnership model repeated all over the country.
Services provided: Information and Equipment.
1998
Bedford office opened.
Direct Payments Support Service commences.
NHS facility, Independence Square, opens.
Services provided: Information, Equipment and Direct Payments Support.
1999
The Disability Resource Centre receives national HSJ Award commendation for multi-agency partnership working.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support and Community Loans project.
2002
Information Outreach Service introduced.
Lord Howland becomes our Patron, who later succeeded to The Dukedom of Bedford.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support and Information Outreach.
2004
First BBC local radio interview held.
Direct Payments Support Service expands.
Transport Matters project commences.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Information Outreach and Transport Matters projects.
2005
Milton Keynes Direct Payment Support Service commences.
The Disability Resource Centre is recognised by Department of Health and National Centre for Independent Living as providing best practice.
Information guide first published.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Information Outreach and Transport Matters projects.
2007
Woburn Suite meeting rooms and conference facilities opened.
The Disability Resource Centre website launches.
The Disability Resource Centre wins local Equality and Diversity Training award.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Information Outreach and Transport Matters projects.
2009
Marsh Farm Advice Service commences.
Enterprise Hub opened by His Grace,The Duke of Bedford.
The Disability Resource Centre becomes Department of Health National User-Led Action and Learning site.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Carers’ Support, Information Outreach and Transport Matters projects.
2010
Northamptonshire Centre for Independent Living established in Corby and Northampton.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Carers’ Support, Disability Rights, Information Outreach and Transport Matters projects.
2012
The Disability Resource Centre becomes Paralympic Ambassador.
The Disability Resource Centre leads on Paralympic Flame events throughout Bedfordshire and Luton.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Carers’ Support, Information Outreach and PA Training Academy.
2014
LuDun room opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.
Health, Learning and Work team created.
First Scouts welcomed for Disability Awareness badge sessions.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Carers’ Support, Information Outreach, Employers and PA Training Academy.
2015
The Disability Resource Centre celebrates 21 years.
Advice transformation project pilots AdviceCentral.
The Disability Resource Centre service users receive Community Learners Award.
Services provided: Information, Equipment, Direct Payments Support, Carers’ Support, Information Outreach, Employment Support, Employers and PA Training Academy.
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We are here for you…
During the new lockdown our team members are all working at home and available to help you, so please do get in contact.
Phone: 01582 470 900
Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
WhatsApp: 07871 744157
Text us: 07871 744157
Talk to us via Facebook Messenger
Instant help
Simply click the pink ‘Chat with us’ button below, open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Our support and advice services will continue as normal during the new national lockdown
You can contact us by phone or via one of our online platforms: website chat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and you can text us with your mobile phone.
New central office
We have moved out of our Poynters House venue to the Rufus Centre in Flitwick.
This move is for our internal teams only. However, once we remove the Covid-19 restrictions we will have a new venue in Dunstable/Luton for you to visit very soon.
Free online exercises classes
We are breaking down the barriers to exercising at home.
For people living in Bedfordshire and Luton only.
We are breaking down the barriers and are launching an exciting package of support to help people living in Bedfordshire and Luton to exercise safely at home including:
- Free beginner-level online classes by local fitness professionals
- Join the free classes online by live video or watch pre-recorded sessions and exercise any time
- Free exercise equipment hire of items like resistance bands and balls
Free tablet computer hire and technology training for people without a smartphone, PC/Mac or tablet, so they can join the online sessions
Employment support programmes
Choose from 5 brand new and free employment support programmes from our award-winning team…
Free training workshops for PAs in care
See the new timetable for November to December 2020 including full descriptions, dates and times.
We are running free workshops on these topics and more:
Emergency First Aid*, Health and safety*, Safeguarding adults, Epilepsy awareness, Emotional freedom technique and Covid-19, Learning disabilities awareness, Autism awareness, Deaf awareness, Infection, prevention and control*, Equality and Diversity* and more.
Your open door to advice in Central Bedfordshire
AdviceCentral helps residents of Central Bedfordshire to find the best local and national advice on a wide range of topics including:
Help for carers in Luton
We offer lots of free 1-2-1 help and advice by phone, email and online meetups.
