The Disability Resource Centre Newsletter
January 2023
The new year can be a great time to work on yourself and make improvements to your health and wellbeing. However, there are lots of things that can impact your health and wellbeing, and recognising what you need to improve on can be difficult.
Throughout this newsletter we have provided ideas on how to improve all areas of your health and wellbeing. We have included resources for you to explore, and training and support options from The Disability Resource Centre and other trusted sources.
Make 2023 a great year and start by working on yourself. Grab a hot drink and take a little time to read through the amazing health and wellbeing resources.
Thank you for continuing to be a loyal subscriber of our monthly newsletters, we hope you enjoy this edition.
Financial wellbeing
The current economic challenges we face, combined with the extra costs that people with a disability can have, leaves some people and households particularly vulnerable to the rising cost of living. They have a much smaller budget to take on any unexpected cost increase, which can have an impact on their health or condition. See below some support and advice opportunities we would like to share to help improve your financial situation.
Free advice for residents of Luton to help improve your financial situation
Life Matters is a short programme that is designed to help improve both your financial and mental wellbeing. Throughout the 8-week course, you will look at the barriers that impact your financial wellbeing, and tactics and approaches to overcome them… Read More >>
Step-by-step benefits advice and support
We can make an appointment for you to speak with one of our trained Benefits Advisors. They will give you tailored advice and support and will guide you through benefits checks, completing necessary forms, and much more. See what some of our previous services users have said about the advice and support they received… Read More >>
Winter Warm Hub in Dunstable every Tuesday and Wednesday
We are running weekly workshops designed to support people through the cost-of-living crisis. Tuesdays are dedicated to providing advice and money saving ideas, whilst Wednesdays we will provide a more creative space and will run fun activities such as arts and crafts.
Each day enjoy free homemade soup, tea and coffee, biscuits, free WiFi access, and of course a warm and friendly environment.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday between 10am – 1pm at the Mayfield Centre in Dunstable… Read More >>
Claim a free Vodaphone 20GB SIM card
Thanks to our partnership with Vodaphone (and their ‘charities.connected’ campaign) we are offering free Vodaphone SIM cards. They are packed with 20GB of data and unlimited calls and texts for 6 months… Read More >>
Physical wellbeing
Research has shown that healthy life expectancy varies significantly across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK). In Luton, women can expect to live a healthy life until they are 60, but just a few miles away in Central Bedfordshire they can expect to live healthily until they are 67. This is dependent of our lifestyle choices and behaviours such as smoking, exercise, management of health conditions and diet. Here are just a few solutions to help you improve your physical wellbeing.
Free Yoga and exercise sessions
Join us for our free face to face yoga and exercise sessions, delivered by our expert trainers. It’s all thanks to the Sport England funding, provided by one of our funding partners Be Active. Sessions are designed and tailored for beginners and people with mobility issues, within a fun and friendly environment. All sessions can also be viewed online in your own time via our YouTube channel… Read More »
Get moving with the Couch to 5K running plan
Couch to 5K is a running plan for absolute beginners. It was developed by a new runner, Josh Clark, who wanted to help his 50-something mum get off the couch and start running, too. Couch to 5K works because it starts with a mix of running and walking to gradually builds up your fitness and stamina… Read More »
Top 10 exercises designed for people with a disability
Dom Thorpe is a personal trainer who specialises in working with disabled people to help them get fit and healthy. He has designed a list of his top 10 exercises he recommends for disabled people with varying abilities, so you can achieve a long-term goal to get fitter, or simply keep active… Read More »
Join a training session with Hey Jude Fitness
Jude has been a partner of The Disability Resource Centre for many years now and has delivered lots of training sessions to our service users, perhaps you have taken part in one. Her organisation Hey Jude Fitness provides personal training sessions and classes to help with recovery from injuries and to improve wellbeing. They do specialise in supporting people with disabilities and long-term illness. Jude is currently delivering our free exercise sessions on behalf of The Disability Resource Centre. Check out her website for more information.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Amongst other things, the cost-of-living crisis can have a significant impact on our mental health. The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute shared research by Martin Lewis, who said that the increase in cost of living is having a negative impact on 59% of adults mental health in the UK. We need to recognise, understand, and apply copying techniques to stop the decline in our mental health. Here are a few support and advice opportunities you may like to explore.
We are here to help.
Meet our new Health and Wellbeing Coach
Meet our new Health and Wellbeing Coach Maimoonah. Her role is to support people through tough situations, and to listen and advise to help create you a progressive action plan to improve your mental health. She can meet you either in a formal group or 1-on-1 settings, or just for a casual chat over a nice hot drink, whatever you are most comfortable with.
Maimoonah has worked within the mental health and wellbeing sector for over 6 years. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Bedfordshire.
If you feel like you would like some additional support and would like to speak with her, you can email her at maimoonah.hanif@drcbeds.org.uk
8 articles on our website full of tips and guides to improving your mental health
- 9 questions to help spot the type of your anxiety
- How to use mindfulness to help your mental health
- 6 simple ways to get more exercise as part of your daily routine
- 7 ways to beat loneliness, with help from our charity
- 6 steps to better self esteem
- Improving your mental health for those living with arthritis
- See our new guide to dementia
- 34 links to help with your mental and physical wellbeing in Milton Keynes, Luton and Bedfordshire
Understanding and preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and ways to reduce its impact on our health and wellbeing. The most traditional time for SAD is during Autumn and Winter due to shorter days and less sunlight …Read more >>
Care sector training
Health and wellbeing is very important within the care sector, not only for the person who receives care, but also the person providing the care. Our training aims to improve the standards of care provided by Personal Assistants (PA’s), and to help the people receiving care to live more independently at home. See below how we are currently working to support this national improvement.
Free training courses for Personal Assistants and the people they care for
This year we are providing free face to face training workshops for Personal Assistants and the people they care for. Training will be face-to-face at our centre in Dunstable. However, you can also join our free online training and work through the courses in your own time. You can also work towards achieving the Care Certificate and earn a free Vodafone SIM card… Read more >>
Moving and handling with hoist training for care providers
This 4 hours training workshop will allow people to support someone in the home who may need help moving, such as getting in and out of bed. Through our fully licensed trainer, you will learn how to appropriately and safely help someone, as well as how to use an electric hoist.
Training is currently £70 +VAT per person. However, limited free spaces are available for those who join onto our Care Academy programme as an active Personal Assistant to someone in their own home.
We have workshops confirmed for February and March, with future dates to be released very soon. The next workshop is on Thursday 2nd February, but only 3 spaces left… Read more >>
Volunteering in 2023
Volunteering is a great way to improve your wellbeing. It can be a great way to be active and get out and about, whilst meeting new people and boosting your confidence. Check out our current list of volunteering opportunities.
Join our team of superhero volunteers
Our volunteers gain valuable experience and really enjoy helping out in many different departments including marketing, helpdesk, admin, social media and research.
We are actively seeking keen volunteers to join us for 2023. Please take a look at the roles below and contact us for more information:
**Urgent role – Ebay Retail Volunteer
**Urgent role – Social Media Assistant
**Urgent role – Volunteer Learning Support Assistant
**Urgent role – Administration Assistant
**Urgent role – Experts by experience
**Volunteer Advisor
**Volunteer Research Assistant
**Volunteer Handy Person
**Social Media Champion
**Data Analyst
**Content Researcher and Writer (newsletters, articles, blogs etc)
Click here for more information on what it means to be a volunteer at The Disability Resource Centre and opportunities available.
Please contact us to register your interest in volunteering with us and for full details.
Become an expert by experience
Join our experts by experience feedback group and have your voice heard
An Expert by Experience is someone who wants to provide us with feedback and insight into the thoughts and needs of the local community, when we are considering new projects and services. An Expert by Experience is either living with, or is close to someone who is living with a disability or health condition… Read more >>
We will be hosting multiple meetings throughout the year, to provide you with the opportunity to have your voice heard and to help us shape our services for the future. We will also keep you up to date with opportunities to communicate your thoughts and opinions with our community partners and the local council. All meetings will be accessible either face to face or online, whichever method you prefer.
The next meeting date will be announced very soon, please keep an eye on our web page for more details. All people who attend face to face will be able to claim back their travel as an expense (T&C’s apply).
We are here for you…
If you would like our help and support in the cost of living crisis, or if you have any questions at all, please contact our team.
Phone: 01582 470 900
Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk
We are here so that disabled people and their families have somewhere to turn if they need help in any situation.
Working with local communities to support anyone with a disability or health condition
We support disabled people, carers and people with long term health conditions in Milton Keynes, Luton and across Bedfordshire.
Spread the word
Follow us on our social media channels for new information and announcements. If you already follow us then please spread the word and tell your friends and family.
Facebook: @TheDisabilityResourceCentre
Instagram: @drcbeds
Twitter: @DRC_Updates
LinkedIn: The Disability Resource Centre
You can find local and national links to free advice services for Central Bedfordshire by following our dedicated website, Advice Central.
Unpaid carers in Luton can also gain specific information and advice by visiting our carers specific support website, Carers Central.
