Website

Carers Central runs this dedicated website, allowing access to social and welfare advice. There are emergency numbers listed on the website with access to self-help information and links to specialist support.

Helpline

A trained team of staff and volunteers are available from 10am to 4pm every weekday and every Tuesday evening until 7pm.

Face-to-face

Please check on our website for the latest news about face-to-face appointments.

A referral from a professional

Referrals can be made into the hub through the partner organisations or professionals like social workers.

Web chat  

Click the ‘chat to us’ at the bottom of every page or the “send us an email” when it’s out of our opening hours.

Web chat is open for instant help from 10am to 4pm weekdays and until 7pm on Tuesday evenings.

See us near you

We provide various activities in the community to support unpaid carers including: 

• Coffee mornings for carers 
• Carers’ events
• Community events
• Community engagement e.g. libraries, community halls, shopping centres

Training

Care skills training is free for unpaid carers via the Care Academy run by The Disability Resource Centre.

See the main training page on The Disability Resource Centre for details of all the free workshops, mini-courses and 1-2-1 coaching programmes that are available for free for carers in Luton.

Cares Central can support you with all the training options with regular contact, further information and help you to fill-in training enrollment forms.

Peer support and local community groups

Support groups are very important and can help you feel connected to other people in similar caring roles. 

The following groups offer friendly support in Luton:

(all subject to coronavirus regulations)

• Carers Central support group for unpaid carers 
• Luton Asian Carers Service
• Mind BLMK Carers Support Service
• YAWN Life
• CHUMS for young carer’s support
• Carers Eating Disorders Association; contact the group leaders by email cedaluton@gmail.com
• Fibromyalgia Group contact the group leader by emailteresawilliams.ret@btinternet.com
• Alzheimer’s Society by email bedfordshireandluton@alzheimers.org.uk    
• Caribbean Carers Support Initiative via email at  admin@ccsi.org.uk
• Woman’s Aid Luton
• Luton All Woman’s Centre
• Stepping Stones

Disability equipment 

All Local Authorities will offer an Occupational Health Assessment.

This might include installing equipment, minor works, or to facilitate major adaptations to help you remain safe and independent in and around your home.

You may decide that you would like to look at various types of equipment independently.  

The Disability Resource Centre has a team of Trusted Assessors who can show you the types of equipment available. 

This could include help with bathing, toileting, walking or useful gadgets to make life easier in the home. To make an appointment call 01582 470900 or email info@drcbeds.org.uk

Employment support for carers

It can be difficult to find time in your week to focus on you and your wellbeing. The free support programme available from The Disability Resource Centre for carers could be the starting point you need to help manage your wellbeing, learn new skills and/or gain paid work.

Topics covered:

• Identify transferable skills and strengths
• Explore different work options 
• Skills health checks
• Write a winning CV & excelling in interview 
• Covering letters and emails
• Volunteering opportunities & self-employment
• Support in the workplace

Contact us by email

Carers Central has a dedicated email address that is monitored daily by carers: carerscentral@drcsbeds.org.uk

Social media

We provide a Facebook community group for unpaid carers in Luton and recently launched the Carers Central Facebook page to share news and ideas. We have over 70 members who can post questions and reply to other members’ questions, supporting each other throughout the week.