Support for carers

Who is a carer?

A carer is anyone, of any age, who provides care to a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and who could not cope without this ‘necessary care’. The care they give is unpaid and this support can be emotional as well as practical.

You can have a carers assessment if you are looking after someone without being paid and:

• the person you are caring for is over 18
• you are looking after them because they need help with their day-to-day life due to their disability, illness or long term condition
• you, as the carer, live in Bedford Borough.

Carer information guides

• Please see our Adult social care factsheets webpage for more information about who qualifies for adult social care services, as well as other helpful guides.
• You can also look at our Adult Social Care Community Directory for advice and support when caring for someone. 

If you would like a carer’s assessment please complete the online self-referral form with as much detail as you can.

You can also contact our partners who can provide support for you as a carer. 

Mobilise Digital Unpaid Carers Service

Mobilise works with the Bedford Borough Council to support carers who are digitally able, with a range of free online services. This includes email support, online guides and tools, and telephone support. Mobilise works in partnership with Blue Sky Carers Support Service to make sure carers can receive the support they need, at the time they want it and in the way they want it.

• Support for unpaid carers in Bedford – Mobilise
• Mobilise Library – support guides including emergency planning

Blue Sky Carers Support Service

Blue Sky Carer Support Service provides information, advice and guidance to unpaid carers. Support is hands on, friendly and suits the needs of the individual unpaid carer. Support can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• One to one support sessions
• Free talking therapy sessions
• Carers Hubs
• Early response and triage to suitable services
• Supporting carers facing digital exclusion
• Providing grants to support carers with their mental health and wellbeing
• Support with social isolation through community engagement
• Working with Mobilise to connect carers to digital carer support, when carers are digitally able and where this service would meet their needs.

Bedford Hospital Carers Hub

Bedford Hospital Carers Hub is run by Blue Sky Carer Support Service. The Hub is located on the main ground floor corridor of the hospital and is in the Patient Experience Hub.

• Offering information, advice and guidance to visitors, patients and staff members.
• Carer Awareness training as a part of hospital staff induction
• Keeping a great relationship with the hospital wards
• Access to the full carer support offer from Blue Sky Carer Support Service and/or Mobilise digital carer support service.

Dementia Support

Tibbs Dementia Foundation provides a range of services and activities available for people with dementia and their carers in Bedford Borough. 

The service supports those affected by dementia or memory loss to navigate the right information, services or support that is needed for both the person with dementia or memory loss and/or their unpaid carer. Tibbs provides practical, financial and emotional support, including a befriending service and access to a fully trained Dementia Nurse, groups and events.

Tibbs offers a range of groups and activities across Bedford Borough with both virtual and in person opportunities available. The full timetable of events can be accessed on its website.