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Here is our Christmas newsletter sent to our subscribers on 17th December 2020.

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The Disability Resource Centre newsletter – December 2020 edition

Introduction

Hello everyone, welcome to the December 2020 edition of The Disability Resource Centre newsletter.

It has been a busy month for us and there is a lot to tell you.

Read all about our successful funding applications, a central office move, our awarded accreditations and so much more.

There’s also some information on our wide variety of free courses ranging from exercise classes, courses for mental and physical wellbeing and an employment support programme, just to mention a few. 

We hope you enjoy reading this edition. Please do click the links to visit our website for more information.

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
 

New central office

As of Monday 30th November, we have moved our central offices from Dunstable to Flitwick.

This is just an internal move for our finance teams.

Please rest assured, our range of services will continue within the Luton and Dunstable areas with no disruption. 

If you need to contact us by post, the full address is:

The Rufus Centre
Steppingley Road
Flitwick
Bedfordshire

MK45 1AH

Training and support opportunities

We currently have some amazing training and exercise opportunities available, all for free and from the comfort of your own home.

 

Sport England activity sessions

Free exercise classes available to residents who live within Bedfordshire and Luton. Chair and non-chair based Yoga classes are just one of the highlights.

We can also support people by providing free exercise equipment and technology.

See the full class schedule and details on our website. 

 

Care Academy

Free training workshops for Personal Assistants in care, unpaid carers and aspiring Personal Assistants.

Find our more details and how to join one of our live video webinars.

 

Support into Employment

We can help you develop your CV, improve your IT skills and get ready for that all important job interview.

See our website to find out how we will design you a development plan and how you can sign up today.

 

New wellbeing course for Luton residents

Improve your confidence, reduce your stress levels and move closer to your goals.

Our free course for Luton residents is designed to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

See our new 2021 course dates starting from the 20th January

 

Free flu jab for carers

Free flu jabs for people with disabilities and carers

You will also qualify for a free flu jab if you are within one of the following categories:

  • Are 65 and over (including those who’ll be 65 by 31 March 2021)

  • Have certain health conditions

  • Are pregnant

  • Are in a long-stay residential care

  • Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick

  • Live with someone who’s at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)

  • Frontline health or social care workers

You can have the NHS flu vaccine at:

  • Your GP surgery

  • A pharmacy offering the service

  • Your midwifery service, if you’re pregnant

If you have your flu vaccine at a pharmacy, you do not have to tell the GP. The pharmacist should tell them.

All adult flu vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

 

Successful funding

We received new funding to help our charity support disabled people and carers during the coronavirus crisis.

Thank you to Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation for some much needed additional funding. This is important to us, to continue supporting local people with disability advice and to maintain our variety of online support options.

We received a total of £9,976 in funding via BLCF from the National Emergency Trust (NET) and Coronavirus Programme (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport funding).

We are using these funds to cover the additional costs we have now incurred to make us more digital. The funding allows us to continue supporting you with information and advice, without too much disruption during the transition from office to home working. We are also now able to provide online virtual meeting spaces on platforms like Whereby and Microsoft Teams, as well as more virtual classroom courses.

Thank you to the National Lottery which has again funded us to continue delivering many essential services. We secured £38,914 to fund disability, money and benefit advice to Luton residents, which is usually funded by our social enterprises (retail and room hire).

Disability Confident Leader

We are pleased to be working with Possibility People, who have supported us to gain the Level 3 Disability Confident Leader accreditation.

We will also act as a community champion for Disability Confident. We will encourage and support local businesses to become Disability Confident, so that they can provide more opportunities for people with disabilities.

Read more about being a Disability Confident Leader and how we can support local businesses.

 

In memory of Mick Dillon 

Jill Pick the Chair of Trustees of The Disability Resource Centre says “It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Mick Dillon who was a former CEO of The Disability Resource Centre.

Mick was CEO for over 15 years and oversaw the expansion of The Disability Resource Centre in that time, most notably securing contracts in Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire to provide Direct Payments services. He regularly broadcast on Three Counties radio during that time. His substantial contribution is remembered and appreciated by those of us who worked with him. More recently Mick was CEO of Luton Citizens Advice and continued to raise awareness of disability issues locally.

Mick was responsible for working on a wide range of important issues in Luton and Bedfordshire and a champion for diversity and inclusion in all areas.“

 

Continued support

Please make a donation to our charity

If you are in a position to, we ask that you please consider donating to The Disability Resource Centre today. This is so we can continue to deliver and grow our vital services.

Our free advice service costs our charity thousands of pounds to run every year. A donation of £5 will go a long way to allowing us to provide local people with the support and advice they really need.  

To donate £5 by mobile phone, simply text DRCBEDS to 70085 

Thank you very much.

 

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.

 

Temporary opening hours

For the Christmas and New Year period, we will still be open and available to continue delivering our services to you.

However, we will be operating on reduced times for this short period. Please see below our opening hours:

  • Monday 21st December – 9.00am to 5.00pm

  • Tuesday 22nd December – 9.00am to 5.00pm

  • Wednesday 23rd December – 9.00am to 5.00pm

  • Thursday 24th December – 9.00am to 2.00pm

  • Friday 25th December – Closed

  • Monday 28th December – Closed 

  • Tuesday 29th December – 9.30am to 4.00pm

  • Wednesday 30th December – 9.30am to 4.00pm

  • Thursday 31st December – 9.30am to 2.00pm

  • Friday 1st January – Closed

From Monday 4th January we will return to our normal opening hours of Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.

 

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.

 

Contact us

If you would like to discuss any of the items in this edition of the newsletter or for anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Phone: 01582 470 900

Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk

Live chat: https://drcbeds.org.uk/

Thank you for taking the time to read this edition of the newsletter.

Season’s greetings to you all and we will see you again in 2021.

 
 
 

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

Here is the newsletter we sent to our subscribers on 27th October 2020.

——————————————————–

News about moving our office, centre and shop…

 

We are on the move…

Our CEO, Melanie Hawman, says:

“Behind the scenes we have been preparing to leave Poynters House after 26 years of operating out of the building.

We are very sad to see our tenants leave but glad that we were able to help some of them find suitable new premises.

We continue to search for somewhere to deliver all our face-to-face activity such as our physical and mental fitness courses, our training courses and equipment shop. 

We are continuing our helplines and advice services by phone and online.

In the meantime look out for when we will be at a venue near you (like supermarkets and community centres), all socially distanced of course.

We have some excellent plans for our new centre and shop but in order to minimise disruption to office functions have secured a tenancy in the Rufus Centre in Flitwick. It is fully accessible for our staff but won’t be open for visitors. We hope to share news about a new centre for everyone to visit very soon.

The teams are busy helping prepare for the move to the new offices. And at the moment, until this Thursday 29th October you can find a bargain in our clearance sale, with items from just £1. There is a wide range of new and second-hand mobility equipment for sale alongside office equipment, stationery and bric-a-brac – so please do come and support this, bargains galore!

As well as being busy with the office move, we are very pleased to have received vital funding for our charity and are currently launching an exciting new fitness programme for residents of Bedfordshire and Luton.

We are also organising over 30 free training workshops for unpaid carers and PAs plus continuing our Support into Employment programme which is helping local people into work, volunteering and further learning.

I will be writing to you again with more news of our move, so please take a moment to look at some of our other news, below.

We are here for you

We are all here for you, so please contact us whenever you need us:

You can read our announcement about our move on our website.

Best wishes,

Melanie Hawman, CEO, The Disability Resource Centre.

 

 

Grab a bargain at our clearance sale

Ends on Thursday 29th October

New and used disability equipment, desks, conference tables, filing cabinets, meeting room chairs, office chairs, whiteboards and many more items from only £1. 

No entry without a pre-booked appointment

Because this is an indoor event you will need to book a time-slot to visit the sale, to ensure that we keep our building safe for everyone. 

Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk or call 01582 470900 to book a day and time.

Time: 11am – 3pm.

Location: Inside The Disability Resource Centre.

Address: Poynters House, Poynters Road, Houghton Regis / Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4TP. 

Disabled parking spaces are available as usual in the front car park and the rear car park.

 

Read more about our clearance sale.

 

We are breaking down the barriers to exercising at home​

Many people tell us that it’s not easy to start getting fit because they have mobility issues, not many transport options and no money for classes, gym, technology or exercise equipment.

So with our funding partners, Sport England and Team Beds and Luton, we have designed a programme that can help with all those issues.

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 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, dumbbells 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

See our website for full details and to sign-up for this brand new and free fitness programme.

 

Free training workshops for unpaid carers, PAs in care and aspiring PAs

Join the workshops live in the classroom in Dunstable or online via live video or via online classes at a time to suit you. 

See the new timetable of free workshops.

Simply email us and tell us which workshops you’d like to join. You can join one workshop or all of them, all for free.

 

Thank you to our funders

We’ve just received new funding to help our charity support disabled people and carers during the coronavirus crisis.

Thank you to BLCF (Bedfordshire Coronavirus Emergency Fund @bedlutcf) and to the National Lottery.

Read about our new funding.

Employment support programmes

Choose from 5 brand new and free employment support programmes.

We start all our courses by helping you to de-stress and to build your confidence. Then we design a personal package of training and support just for you. Our award-winning team is here to help. 

See our website for full details and to sign-up.

 
 
 

Nearly 6,000 local people visited our website in September

Our website is full of useful information and links to our many free programmes, help and advice.

Chat to us on our website

If you need instant help then the team is available on the website, just click to start a ‘chat’ from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

 

The Disability Resource Centre

Poynters House, Poynters Road, Dunstable LU5 4TP

Phone: 01582 470900

Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk

Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk

Charity Number 1041712

Grab a bargain at our clearance sale

Date: Friday 11th September 2020

Time: 11am – 3pm

Location: Rear car park of The Disability Resource Centre on Humphrys Road

Address: Poynters House, Poynters Road, Houghton Regis / Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4TP

See where we are on Google Maps.​

  • Office Furniture from £10; chairs, shelves, desks, in-trays, filing cabinets – over 200 items

  • Office Stationery from £1; paper, envelopes, files, folders, staplers, hole-punches – over 80 types

  • Surplus disability equipment (new & used) from £5; grab rails, bathing equipment, shower chairs, zimmer frames, rollators, wheelchairs – over 75 second-hand items and 40 new items all at bargain prices

  • Bric-a Brac from £1; vases, picture frames, art print, original artworks, mirrors, cups, teapots

 

We are finalising the list of items for sale which will include: (subject to change)

Desks, filing cabinets and shelves from £10:

– Over 30 desks; various sizes and colours

– 3 shelving units; 2 large, one smaller

– Kallax units; 8 block and 2 x 16 block

– Various sized filing cabinets

Chairs, cupboards and tables from £5:

– Various office chairs; blue and black

– Waiting area chairs; blue

– Coffee table

– Whiteboard

– Cupboard units

– Boardroom table

– Leaflet carousels and holders

– Computer bags

– Staybowlizers

Bric-a-brac from £1

– Workwear

– Stationary/art supplies

– Canvas wall art

– Vases

– Picture frames

Second-hand mobility equipment and daily living aids from £5

– We have several second-hand budget priced wheelchairs, walkers and many other mobility aids at bargain prices

– This top of the range Invacare Rea Azalea was £3000 and will be on sale for £500, pictured below

– There will be many more second-hand low priced mobility aids on sale

– See a small selection of the many items that will be on sale at our second-hand Facebook shop. 

For full details please contact us today:

– WhatsApp: 07871 744157
– Phone: 01582 470 900
– Facebook Messenger: @TheDisabilityResourceCentre
– Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
– Text us: 07871 744157
– Chat to us now: On our website just click the pink ‘chat to us’ box at the bottom of every page, open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday

 

We’ll have updates and full details of all the items for sale on our Facebook page

 
 

The Disability Resource Centre

Poynters House, Poynters Road, Dunstable LU5 4TP

Phone: 01582 470900

Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk

Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk

Charity Number 1041712

Here is the newsletter we sent to our Carers Central subscribers in July 2020.

—————————————————

Carers Central is a free service provided by The Disability Resource Centre funded by Luton Council in partnership with NHS Luton Clinical Commissioning Group.

The Disability Resource Centre is a registered charity no. 1041712.

 

Free online seated yoga sessions for carers in Luton

Join us for a series of free online seated yoga sessions, especially for unpaid carers in Luton.

Monday 3rd August – 11am to 11.45am

Monday 31st August – 11am to 11.45am

Monday 14th September – 11am to 11.45am

These free yoga sessions will include a guided meditation along with some relaxation techniques and gentle chair based exercises.

Check our events for full details.

 

Key worker letter

As a carer, Luton Borough Council via Carers Central can now issue you with a key worker letter. This will enable you to gain priority access to supermarkets and other essential places.

To obtain a letter please contact Levi or Sally to discuss further on 0300 303 0201.

 

Looking after your own health

It’s important to look after yourself so you have the energy to do the things you enjoy and carry on caring.

Find out more by reading the practical information on the Carers UK website. Here are some direct links to the most popular sections

 

Free training and support programme for carers

We know and understand how difficult it can be to find work if you are a carer. You may struggle to find paid employment that fits around your caring commitments. 

It may have been difficult for you to find some time in your week to focus on you and your wellbeing. 

We want to work with you to design a plan that will incorporate a unique and free support package tailored just for you.

We will explore how you learn, your strengths and where you can develop further. We will explore your hopes and ambitions, suggesting ways to reach your goals. 

If you are an unpaid carer living in Luton or Central Bedfordshire then you could eligible to join our free support programme. 

See our website for full details of this new programme designed for carers, including our new and free online courses.

 

Carers Central weekly coffee morning

We run a virtual coffee morning every Monday for anyone who is an unpaid carer living in Luton.

If you would like to attend please login to https://drcbeds.whereby.com/carers-central-meeting anytime on the day between 10.30am and 12pm or call Levi or Sally on 0300 303 0201 who can help you to access the service.

This is for all unpaid carers in the area. You don’t have to live with the person you are caring for and they can even live in another town.

 

Your feedback matters

Please complete our short survey about our Carers Central service: Carers Central Survey

Rate our services, 1 to 5 stars: 1 to 5 star review

 
 

Introduction to Emotional Wellbeing

New online course

This new and free online course will help you to learn about your emotional wellbeing. You will be introduced to some practical tools to help you to take better care of yourself.

What’s covered in this course

This online course contains 3 lessons that will take about 3 hours to complete. We invite you to start using the tools and techniques in your daily life.

The first lesson will take you through the definitions of emotional wellbeing, why it’s important to invest in emotional wellbeing and how without this investment we can have negative impacts.

You will then learn how the practical tools included in this lesson can support you to manage your emotional wellbeing through a programme of meditation, affirmation and journaling.

Next you’ll learn how you can take better care of yourself. Learn how others practice emotional wellbeing and how you can incorporate this into your life. You’ll also start a journey of creating a more balanced life using the Wheel of Life and you’ll create your own Vision Board.

If you would like to enrol on this course then please email The Disability Resource Centre.

 

Helpful updates from local organisations:

 

Total Wellbeing/Active Luton

Pursuing a healthy lifestyle in Luton doesn’t need to be expensive. #HealthyLuton is a campaign designed by Luton Borough Council, Team Beds & Luton, Total Wellbeing Luton and Active Luton, bringing together all the free, low cost and subsidised opportunities there are to lead a healthy lifestyle in Luton.

The page is regularly updated by partners to include the most up to date opportunities in Luton. 

https://www.activeluton.co.uk/ 

www.totalwellbeingluton.org 

Keech

Keech Hospice Care has recently launched a new bereavement service. It is completely free to anyone from Luton and Bedfordshire aged 18 or over and no existing connection to Keech required. If you, or someone you know, may benefit from their new bereavement service, please call them today on 0800 0350 0011 or pass the attached information on. It may just be the best email you send today.  

Mind BLMK

Mind BLMK are offering emotional wellbeing support over the phone to the wider community in Bedfordshire. 

If you feel that you or anyone you know would benefit from having someone to talk to, either as a one-off or regularly over the coming weeks, please get in touch or you can pass their details on.

Central Bedfordshire (Sapphita Timperio)

07546 174124 or sapphire.timperio@mind-blmk.org.uk

Bedford (Clare Anderson)

07597 113613 or clare.anderson@mind-blmk.org.uk

Luton (Katy Eagle)

07867 398246 or katy.eagle@mind-blmk.org.uk

General enquiries

01525 722225 or hq@mind-blmk.org.uk

Bedfordshire Chronic Fatigue Service

Bedfordshire Chronic Fatigue Service is now carrying out assessments and offering treatment remotely either by video or telephone. This will continue until further notice and if you have any queries regarding your treatment or have any questions about what they offer, you can email them on beds.cfs@nhs.net or telephone the Single Point of Access on 0345 602 4064 who will pass your message to them. 

Headway Luton

Headway Luton supports people with an acquired brain injury. Their day centres in Luton and Leighton Buzzard are closed due to the coronavirus situation. However they now have a phased re-opening of their day centre on Alma Street, Luton, with the aim to be open 5 days a week in August. The re-opening of their Leighton Buzzard service is still in discussion. Check out their website for further information, updates and contact details. www.headwayluton.com

The Autism Spectrum Team

The Autism Spectrum Team, part of the Special Educational Needs Service at Luton Council, run three Autism support groups across Luton. Their support groups welcome parents and carers living in Luton, whose families are affected by Autism: 

FLAG – Families Living with Autism Group- karen.thomas@luton.gov.uk

SWAN – Support With Autism Network-chloe.bishop@luton.gov.uk

DADS – Dads Autism Discuss Support –david.whalley@luton.gov.uk

Each meeting provides parents with an opportunity to discuss issues and successes with other families and the team. They aim to provide a relaxed atmosphere where everyone is welcome, even if just for a coffee and a chat. Unfortunately they are unable to offer crèche facilities.  

If you would like more information about their team and the Special Educational Needs Service please visit their Local Offer Webpage.

All Nations Carers Health and Wellbeing Service

Throughout the Carers Week, All Nations Carers were busy supporting their vulnerable carers and those at risk of COVID-19 mostly from disadvantaged ethnic minority groups with the supply of food and essentials. They also continue to collaborate with local other organisations and charities to deliver Community PPE kit to care homes and those isolated and at risk of coronavirus pandemic. With the lockdown it means they are unable to have access to the Centre but for every little help please contact them on phone 07472102111 or Email:allnationscarers@opendoorstrust.org

Fibromyalgia Support Group

Their support group for people with fibromyalgia is very popular indeed. Please contact Teresa Williams on 01582 873297 or  teresawilliams.ret@btinternet.com if you need support. 

Luton All Women’s Centre    

Luton All Women’s Centre offers advice and support to women around a range of issues including domestic abuse, harmful practices (forced marriage, honour based abuse and FGM), and mental health and wellbeing.

Currently due to COVID they are offering phone and email support to women in Luton and the surrounding areas who are struggling in any areas of their life. When they are working from the Women’s Centre in Luton they offer a range of support groups around domestic abuse, wellbeing and the menopause. 

They also support professionals who are working with women around any of these issues.

Phone: 01582 416783 or email: support@lawc.org.uk 

Alzheimers Society

The Alzheimers Society is here to help during the coronavirus pandemic.

Call their  Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456.

Connect with people affected by dementia via their online community Talking Point. 

They have temporarily suspended face-to-face and some of their group services. They now offer;

Welfare calls – checking people’s safety and wellbeing, offering advice or signposting to other support. 

Companion calls – helping to alleviate social isolation.

Online support – some group services are now available online.

Any enquiries or referrals, email bedfordshireandluton@alzheimers.org.uk  

Voluntary and Community Sector

A useful booklet has been jointly prepared by Public Health England, Sports England, Team Beds, Active Luton, The National Lottery and Luton Council and has been developed to support older people and those who are shielded to be active and healthy at home.

This is part of the Sport England ‘Join the Movement’ campaign designed to provide inspiration and trusted information to the public about how to get active in and around the home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Being active is safe for a majority of people and it has many benefits for your health and wellbeing.

Please note that before following any exercise or health guidelines they would advise that you to consult with your GP or health professional if you have any concerns or questions about whether or not the exercises are suitable. Please click here to download the booklet.

Family Fund

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity providing grants for families on low incomes raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. 

They provide grants for essential items such as kitchen appliances, sensory toys, family breaks, bedding, tablets/computers, furniture and clothing. They also provide a range of programmes and services, as well as information and advice to families that apply to them, in order to help them access more of the support that may be of help to them in raising their child or young person.

Find out more at www.familyfund.org.uk, call on 01904 550055, email at info@familyfund.org.uk or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Healthwatch

Healthwatch Luton are conducting a survey as part of their ‘How are you doing?’ campaign.

They want to understand how the pandemic has affected you, including your access to health and social care and your experiences since the pandemic began. 

Please share your thoughts on the survey.

If you would prefer not to answer each question, you can simply share your feedback in the final question box

You can contact them via telephone on 01582 817 060

or by email info@healthwatchluton.co.uk

They do have a new email if there are things specifically about Covid 19 issues covid19@healthwatchluton.co.uk.  

Visit the Healthwatch website for more information.

 

Coronavirus Update: We are here to help

​If you would like to discuss anything in this newsletter or have any other issues do please contact Levi or Sally for further help and support.

Our hard-working team offers a telephone helpline on 0300 303 0201 open Monday to Friday in office hours and on Tuesdays we are open for telephone calls until 7pm. Or send us an email.

During the coronavirus crisis we can help you access reliable health and support information.

We are here with a listening ear too, offering emotional support to unpaid carers in the Luton area.

 

Our Facebook group for unpaid carers in Luton is growing

It’s a valuable place to ask and answer questions for unpaid carers in Luton.

We post plenty of practical information with links, videos, news and more.

 

Thanks to Luton Council in partnership with NHS Luton Clinical Commissioning Group for funding our service.

 

Our telephone helpline is open until 7pm every Tuesday for carers

1-2-1 help with all your questions about care for unpaid carers in Luton.

Call 0300 303 0201 for help with any carer-related matter for carers in Luton.

 
 

Carers Central is a free service provided by The Disability Resource Centre funded by Luton Council in partnership with NHS Luton Clinical Commissioning Group. The Disability Resource Centre is a registered charity no. 1041712.

Here is the email that we sent to our Carers Central newsletter subscribers on 3rd June 2020.

Here is the email that we sent to our subscribers on 20 May 2020.

 

Here is the email that we sent to our subscribers on 12 May 2020.

We are all here for you…

“Hello,

We are all still operating our full services via phone and online, which have been very busy again this week.

Be assured that we will be continuing to follow government guidance in line with easing of lockdown restrictions.

Please do let us know how we can help you:

– WhatsApp: 07871 744157
– Phone: 01582 470 900
– Facebook Messenger: @TheDisabilityResourceCentre
– Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
– Text us: 07871 744157
– Chat to us now: On our website just click the pink ‘chat to us’ box at the bottom of every page, open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday

 

Take a look on our website for all the latest happenings at our charity this week:

——————————————————————————————

For specific 1-2-1 advice (including benefits and benefit appeals) we can arrange dedicated telephone appointments.

Our website provides up-to-date web links to relevant and trustworthy websites during the crisis, both locally and nationwide.

We have launched a page of links to the many organisations that can help with finances, jobs, paying bills and more, during the coronavirus crisis.

I’ll be writing to you again with further updates soon. 

We are all here to help you.

Melanie Hawman.

CEO. The Disability Resource Centre.”

 

New disability equipment “Chat and collect” service

During the coronavirus crisis instead of visiting our shop you can now chat to us on the phone on 01582 470 900 or via the chat service on our website. 

You will be able to pay over the phone and collect from our centre here in Dunstable, with us observing the highest hygiene and social distancing guidelines at all times.

Read full details about this brand new service. 

 

Important information for PAs and employers during the coronavirus crisis

We have just updated our links to the latest government guidance for PAs and individual employers with information on PPE, shielding, Covid-19 testing for PAs, new guidelines for DBS checks, PA recruitment, coronavirus training and many more useful links.

 

When you are shopping online at amazon, please consider clicking our link and helping raise vital funds for our charity, contributed automatically by Amazon, at no extra cost to you.

Thanks very much.

 

Our Facebook page now has over 1000 followers…

With all the latest updates and news our Facebook page is an increasingly popular place to visit and now has 1019 followers and fans. 

 
 

The Disability Resource Centre

Poynters House, Poynters Road, Dunstable LU5 4TP

Phone: 01582 470900

Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk

Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk

Charity Number 1041712

Here is our latest email delivered to over 6000 subscribers on 4th May 2020.

“We just received this lovely thank you card…

It’s so nice that the hard work of our team is valued so highly.

Read the words of a customer this week, in a card she sent to Stacey, who runs our new “chat and no-contact collect” disability equipment shop:

“I am happy to say that on Saturday we enjoyed an hours walk around Houghton Hall Park, with me being pushed around in the ‘new’ wheelchair, that I received from your charity.

My partner heroically pushed me around. Including, at times, some hilariously reckless driving across grass so he could show the bluebells and primroses to me ‘close up’. There was a bit of squealing and a lot of laughter! Oh it was just wonderful to be out together. Sun or rain it wouldn’t have mattered, but oh we had such a lovely time. 

It didn’t even matter that I was in a wheelchair, it turns out, I was still me and he was still him, it was just lovely.

I never thought that I may have to end up adjusting to a life with a wheelchair, albeit hopefully only until the hospitals open back up. But this is where I am and we all have to make the best of this situation. It’s been hard to accept, making these changes. I used to be so independent and active. So when I realised life was heading this way, I had no clue where to start with accessing the type of things I needed. 

Your service has been such a help to me, and it is reassuring to know that should I discover there are other things I need, I now know where to come and who to ask to redirect me and assist, the service you provide in the community is amazing and I thank you again.”

 

New disability equipment “Chat and collect” service

Since we launched our ‘Chat and no contact collect’ service at our disability equipment shop last week we’ve been able to match many customers with items they have needed. We’ve helped local people with walking aids, commodes, bathing equipment, wheelchairs and dressing aids so far. 

So during the coronavirus crisis instead of visiting our shop you can now chat to us on the phone on 01582 470 900 or via the chat service on our website. 

Stacey, Chera and Susan are all here to help.

We’ll tell you all about any items you are interested in, send you some photos and talk through the exact specifications, plus the price.

You will be able to pay over the phone and collect from our centre here in Dunstable, with us observing the highest hygiene and social distancing guidelines at all times.

Read full details about this brand new service. 

 

 

Watch Paul demonstrate two products in our shop; a pedal exerciser and a Swedish trolley…

 
 

Important information for PAs and employers during the coronavirus crisis

We have just updated our links to the latest government guidance for PAs and individual employers with information on PPE, shielding, Covid-19 testing for PAs, new guidelines for DBS checks, PA recruitment, coronavirus training and many more useful links.

 

We’ve also been helping many local people find support for shopping, medications,  befriending services, claiming PIP benefits and many more…

Read about the ways we’ve helped vulnerable people during the coronavirus crisis this week: 

– Mrs S hasn’t left her home in 3 months, she’s barely seen the postman. We were able to get her prescriptions delivered as well as find her details for local shops to deliver some essentials.

– Mr G had his tri-walker stolen while he was in hospital, we have used the ‘Chat and no contact collect service’ to talk to him, find a suitable replacement and get a walker to him so he can get around safely.

– Mr K was medically retired and wanted to apply for PIP, so we booked a telephone consultation with one of our expert disability benefits advisors. He has since been able to apply for PIP with all the information and advice he needed to be successful.

– Mr and Mrs L are shielding and they have no family locally. They needed some essentials and wanted someone to talk to. We were able to refer them to a local service to have a befriender call them, as well as deliver them some essential shopping.”

 

We are here for you

Our full team are all working at home and you can now contact us in many different ways:

– WhatsApp: 07871 744157
– Phone: 01582 470 900
– Facebook Messenger: @TheDisabilityResourceCentre
– Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk
– Text us: 07871 744157
– Chat to us now: On our website just click the pink ‘chat to us’ box at the bottom of every page, open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

———————————————————————————————

For specific advice about benefits, benefits appeals and all other topics we can arrange dedicated telephone appointments.

Our own website provides up-to-date web links to relevant and trustworthy websites during the crisis, both locally and nationwide.

We have launched a new page of links to the many organisations that can help with finances, jobs, paying bills and more, during the coronavirus crisis.

I’ll be writing to you again with further updates soon. 

We are all here to help you.

Melanie Hawman.

CEO. The Disability Resource Centre.”

 

When you are shopping online at amazon, please consider clicking our link and helping raise vital funds for our charity, contributed automatically by Amazon, at no extra cost to you.

Thanks very much.

 

Our Facebook page now has over 1000 followers…

With all the latest updates and news our Facebook page is an increasingly popular place to visit and now has 1011 followers and fans. 

 
 

The Disability Resource Centre

Poynters House, Poynters Road, Dunstable LU5 4TP

Phone: 01582 470900

Email: info@drcbeds.org.uk

Website: www.drcbeds.org.uk

Charity Number 1041712

Here is our latest email delivered to over 6000 subscribers on 23rd April 2020.

 
 

Here is the email we sent on 14th April 2020 to over 6600 subscribers that describes the work we are doing to help people during the coronavirus crisis:

 
 

Here’s the first email that we sent on 1st April 2020 from our CEO about the coronavirus situation:

 

Take a look at our February 2020 email newsletter:

 
 

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We are here for you…

Our team members are all working at home and available to help you, so please contact us.

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.

 

Live webinars to learn more about our free Support into Employment programme

Over the next few months, we will be hosting live online webinars to promote our free Support into Employment programme. Each webinar will provide you with an introduction to The Disability Resource Centre and what you can expect should you join the programme.

 
Read More »

 

Final dates of our wellbeing course for Luton residents

The dates for our final Wellbeing Matters course are available and you can book your space today. We have helped many people improve their overall wellbeing during the pandemic across Luton and Bedfordshire. 

 
Read More »

We are here to help while you’re looking for a job

Choose from 5 free employment support programmes from our award-winning team…

See our new page for details

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:

Benefits, Debt,

Disabilities, Education, 

Health, Housing,

Immigration, Employment, 

Legal & more

Visit AdviceCentral

Help for carers in Luton

We offer lots of free 1-2-1 help and advice by phone, email and online meetups.

Learn about Carers Central

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© 2021 The Disability Resource Centre. Registered Charity No. 1041712. Company Limited by Guarantee No.2898000.

Room 1, The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AH.

Our charity is here to help you if you live in Bedfordshire, Luton and Northamptonshire.

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