The Disability Resource Centre Newsletter – Training and Support Edition
November 2021
Introduction
Hello everyone, and welcome to the latest edition of The Disability Resource Centre newsletter.
We hope you have been keeping well and are getting ready for the winter months. For those that celebrate, Christmas is only a few weeks away! ????
Our regular newsletters are designed to provide key information and raise awareness, of support and opportunities related to disability, long-term health conditions and the care sector. We hope that this can positively impact those with a disability or long-term health condition, the elderly, their families and the people that care for them.
Moving forward we will provide you with bitesize newsletters, that will focus on different areas of information each time but on a more regular basis.
In the first edition for November 2021, we want to update you on the training and support opportunities that we have available. We will look at areas such as employment, wellbeing, money management, the care sector and more.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter. Don’t forget to click the links throughout the newsletter for more information and for sign-up opportunities.
New training centre in Dunstable
Our new training centre in Dunstable is officially open and we are back to delivering face-to-face workshops.
After lockdown, and leaving our old centre in Dunstable, we were forced to deliver all training online. However, now that restrictions have eased and we have opened our new pop-up centre, we are so happy to be back to delivering our training face-to-face again.
As this is only a pop-up shop and space is limited, all training programmes will be a combination of online and face-to-face workshops.
We think a mix of online and face-to-face learning is a great combination, as it can accommodate to different people’s needs and preferences.
You can also book an appointment to see one of our advice team, who operate from the centre daily. There is also the opportunity to purchase equipment and replacement pieces for your care needs such as wheelchairs, frames, walking sticks, and much more.
Please note, all visits to the centre are strictly on an appointment basis only
We are still operating with social distancing regulations and masks worn at the centre are preferred.
The address is Unit 4 Mayfield Centre, Mayfield Road, Dunstable, LU5 4BB.
Contact us for more information on our new centre and if you need to book an appointment.
Personal Assistant and employer training
Between November 2021 and March 2022, we are providing free training for Personal Assistants and employers through our Care Academy programme.
This programme is designed to provide training and skill development to those who deliver care and support, and those who receive it. It is for people who are paid and funded by a Direct Payment.
For Personal Assistants, the training we deliver is based on the Care Certificate standards. The Care Certificate is divided into 15 workshops, to create an holistic approach to developing someone who provides care services. The free training will be delivered virtually and face-to-face.
Our free employer training and advice programmes are delivered virtually through our online learning platform Teachable. This will provide guidance on employer regulations and responsibilities such as paying your Personal Assistant, holidays pay and annual leave, and pension contributions.
Additional training workshops such as moving and handling and fire safety will also be delivered. Specific dates and times will be released soon.
For more information and to sign-up, visit our Care Academy web page.
See the full schedule of free face to face and online workshops for Personal Assistant training and the Care Certificate standards.
If you would like to take part in your own time at your convenience, you can access each workshop through our online teaching platform Teachable.
Read all about our Care Academy on our website, including direct links to our most popular free online courses.
Support into Employment programme improvements
Within the Support into Employment programme our goal is to help people find work or further learning opportunities. However, learners will develop and take away much more from our learning journey.
Throughout the 12-week programme, which is totally free, learners will also develop their employability skills, build their confidence, and learn about mental wellbeing. All of these aspects will provide people with essential skills to move forward and take on new challenges.
In exciting news, we have recently made some very positive changes to how the programme is managed and delivered.
As well as moving to face-to-face and online delivery, we have changed the programme structure and sign-up process. With these changes, the benefits will mean that we can:
- Accept more people onto the programme
- Provide more training and further learning opportunities
- More time and support for each learner
- Consistent workshop schedules
For more information and to find out how you can sign up, check out our Support into Employment web page.
New wellbeing and money management training starting in January
From January 2022, we will be running free programmes for people who require additional support with their wellbeing and money management skills.
Wellbeing Matters is a free programme that will guide participants through a 6-week journey, to improve their overall mental wellbeing. Focusing on wellness, mindfulness, meditation techniques and confidence building, you will learn how to deal with stressful situations in a calm and rational way.
Our free Money Matters programme will develop people’s financial management skills, the ability to manage an income, provide benefits advice, and empower them to make positive changes to their economic well being. Learners will be supported to take control of their financial situation and progress into further learning, employment or volunteering.
Further details of the 2022 programme will be released on our website very soon. You can see our previous course details for an idea of what to expect:
Moving and handling workshops coming soon
By popular demand, and as part of our Care Academy programme, we will be bringing back our Moving and Handling training workshops.
We were forced to put this training on hold, due to government restrictions and having no venue available. This course can only be delivered within a face-to-face environment. Now restrictions have eased, and we have our new training centre in Dunstable, we can reintroduce this training very soon.
This training is for Personal Assistants and carers, who work with anyone who needs additional support with physically moving. We will provide important information on how to move someone correctly and safely, and the equipment you may be required to use.
Visit our Moving and Handling web page for more information. We will update this page with further course details and a training schedule very soon.

Services for employers
The Disability Resource Centre is a Disability Confident Leader, which is part of the Disability Confident government scheme.
As a listed provider of Disability Confident services, we can support other businesses and charities become more Disability Confident.
We can support with services such as disability awareness workshops, accessibility assessments, equality and inclusivity reviews, and more.
For employers, organisations and charities who would like more information on our services, please do contact us.
Join our team of superhero volunteers
Remote volunteering and work placements
If you would like to volunteer remotely to help our charity team or as part of a work placement then we would love to hear from you. Our volunteers gain valuable experience and really enjoy helping out in many different departments including marketing, helpdesk, admin, social media and research.
We always encourage disabled people and people with long term health conditions to join our team of volunteers.
Current volunteer roles
We are actively seeking keen volunteers (August 2021), so please take a look at the role descriptions below:
Volunteer Learning Support Assistant
Equipment Area Volunteer General Assistant
Please call 01582 470900 or email us to register your interest in volunteering with us and for full details.
We are here for you
We are all here for you, so please contact us whenever you need us:
- Phone: 01582 470 900
- Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
- WhatsApp: 07871 744157
- Text us: 07871 744157
- Talk to us via Facebook Messenger
- Get instant help our website: www.drcbeds.org.uk – Simply click the pink ‘Chat with us’ button on our website, open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Amazon Smile
We have joined the Amazon Smile programme so that every time you shop at Amazon, you can support our charity with a donation contributed automatically by Amazon. Best of all it is at no extra cost to you.
Please support our charity by shopping online at smile.amazon.co.uk
Search for The Disability Resource Centre then select us as your chosen charity. Thank you.
See the Carers Central newsletter, for the latest news and events in Luton for unpaid carers.

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.
The Disability Resource Centre
The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick,
Bedfordshire, MK45 1AH.
Phone: 01582 470900
Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk
Charity Number 1041712
See us online at these social networks and websites: