Local Contacts

Branch Committee Members

Chairman Alasdair Varley
Vice Chairman Rita Beaumont
Secretary Wendy Goff
Treasurer Arwyn Hughes
PR/Media Vacancy
Social Committee  Maureen Mathie
Social Committee Debbie Mayling
Committee Member Julie Marsden
Committee Member Jenny Archer
Committee Member Gerald Carrington
Committee Member Jill Snell

If you wish to contact one of the local committee members please email them at northbeds@mndassociation.org. 

We are looking for local volunteers, particularly as an Association Volunteer (for which there is free training available). For further details of this, or any other volunteer role, please click here.

Other Contacts

Fiona Turner  is the Association's Regional Care Development Adviser (RCDA) working in the Branch area, who has detailed knowledge of the care and management of Motor Neurone Disease. Working very closely with local statutory services and community care providers she is able to provide support and advice to people with MND and their families. She can be contacted by email by clicking here - fiona.turner@mndassociation.org or telephoning 01604 890965.

Volunteering Development Co-ordinators (VDC) are regionally based staff who provide advice and support to Branches and other Volunteer groups and also encourage and help to set up new Branches and groups. Suzanne Curtis is the local Volunteer Development Co-ordinator.  She can be contacted by clicking here suzanne.curtis@mndassociation.org

Financial Help

The North Beds Branch fundraises in a variety of ways throughout the year in order to be able to offer support to anyone living with MND, when it is needed.

So we (in conjunction with the National Office of MND Association) can loan certain items of equipment or make a one off grant when the needs of someone with MND cannot be met by the local statutory services.

As well as providing equipment or providing funding towards equipment, we can provide grants for other things; a few examples are:

We know it’s not easy for people to ask but please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help in anyway. The confidentiality of all such requests in maintained at all times. Do contact Al if you would like to discuss.

Hospice at Home Volunteers

Hospice at Home Volunteers is a registered charity providing support to clients suffering from terminal and life limiting illnesses, being cared for in their own homes. The organisation provides support to clients and their carers living at home, giving practical help and friendship. Clients suffering from both malignant and non malignant conditions are accepted for care.

  Telephone Numbers

In Bedford Telephone: 01234 772433
In Mid Bedfordshire Telephone: 01234 743063

Bedfordshire Carers Exchange

We are a group of charities that support informal carers. Together we organise events and information days and promote Carers Rights Day. We hold large events during Carers’ Week, usually held in June. We also support carers through our own individual organisations.  

A carer is someone whose life is restricted because of the need to take some responsibility for another person’s well being. You do not have to live with the person you care for. You may be a relative, partner, friend or neighbour and could be of any age.

  For more information about Bedfordshire Carers Exchange call freephone on 0800 039 1234

  Charities within our group include the following:-

  Spurgeon’s

Set up in March 2003, the aim is to provide an environment where Young Carers are able to be children and have fun, free from responsibility. The project provides a range of support for the Young Carers to access, including monthly social clubs, regular organised trips and activities, independent visitors (volunteer befrienders), a pen pal scheme and signposting. The project is open to children between the ages of 5 and 18.

Email: youngcarers@spurgeonsbedford.org.uk

Tel:      01234 350174

Carers Short Breaks Bureau

The Carers Short Breaks Bureau support carers who are unpaid (excl benefits) and caring for someone over 18. We provide free vouchers to enable the carer to take a break from caring. These vouchers can be exchanged with a professional care agency, which will come in and sit for a few hours each month.

Email: francescaj@bedsrcc.org.uk

            jesmaryg@bedsrcc.org.uk

Tel:      0800 039 1234

Carers in Bedfordshire

This is a charity that exists to help carers of any age cope with the demands of their role. It does this by offering practical help, information, advice, advocacy and peer support.

Email: yvonne.clark@carersinbeds.co.uk

Tel:      01234 214914

Drop In Centre for Carers

Gladys Ibbett House in Linden Street, Bedford operates a Drop in Centre for carers which is open from about 10-00am until 4-00pm every Tuesday and is principally aimed at the under 50's to explore issues relating to a patient's illness from the time of diagnosis. Family members and friends are also welcome.

G I House is, of course, open daily from Monday to Friday for up to 12 patients of any age by referral from any health or social care professional. Many register to go on a regular basis, which gives their carers a welcome break, as well.

Complementary therapies offered include Touch Therapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Art as a therapy, Relaxation and Creative Writing. A hydro-therapy bath is also available.

The following Voluntary Services also form a part of the team:

Day Hospice Voluntary Staff

Drivers

Gardeners

Pets as Therapy (Dogs)

Therapists

The Red Cross Therapeutic Care Service

Hairdressers

Trustee and Committee Members

Art and Craft Assistants

Benefits Advisors

Charity Shop Helpers

  Most of all its somewhere different to go and meet and chat with other people and the only cost is for lunch if you want to have it there - £2-00 for a 3-course 'home-cooked' lunch would seem hard to turn down!

  The Senior Nurse, Maggie, can be contacted on 01234 352015.

Willow Foundation in Hertfordshire

We have recently been notified about a ‘local’ (Hertfordshire based) charity which aims to provide ‘special days offering a much-needed break to seriously ill young people all over the UK, raising a few smiles for them and their loved-ones at a time when the ability to smile is challenged every day.’

The Willow Foundation was founded by Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs, following the death of their daughter, Anna, at the age of 31. The charity's name stems from Anna's nickname, Willow, given her by her husband Mitchell.

Anna, a community nurse based in Hertfordshire, was diagnosed as having the very rare form of cancer, malignant schwannoma, at the age of 26. Over the next five years she was to have 16 major operations, numerous treatments and therapies.

Yet it was during these years that Anna and her family and friends experienced some of their most memorable moments and quality times together. When Anna had something to look forward to, her pain was reduced, her spirits were lifted and she would feel better. Treats, days out, concerts, shopping trips and just being with friends - simple distractions from her illness - gave Anna the determination and the adrenaline to fight on. She wanted quality of life, quality of time and most importantly, when she became ill, she wanted to be treated as normal.

It is these "Special Days" that the Willow Foundation aims to provide for seriously ill young adults throughout the UK.

So if you know of someone who would benefit from this sort of treat, do contact the foundation on 01707 259777 or email Info@willowfoundation.org.uk or check their website at www.willowfoundation.org.uk

Respite Centre in Wales

We would like to inform you about our respite service at Dan Y Graig respite centre. We are a thirty bedded respite centre for young physically disabled adults which is run by John Grooms Charity. 

We provide specialised respite for service users with MND and have a large number of service users that visit us with MND. We offer 24hr nursing and residential care, including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Our holistic approach encompasses a range of leisure activities as well as training skills and alternative therapies. 

Although we are based in Wales we are aware that there are limited faculties for disabled adults and carers who need a break and we have Service Users coming from all over the country to experience a Welsh holiday. We can also offer a bed and breakfast facility if carers choose to come with their loved one.

If you are interested in receiving some literature or would like to find out more then please call  01656 782643. 

John Grooms website address is http://www.johngrooms.org.uk if you would like to find out more about the charity.

Dan Y Graig Respite Centre

 

Helpline: 08457 626262 or email helpline@mndassociation.org

The Association's Helpline offers information and support to people affected by the disease. It is available Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm and 7.00pm-10.30pm. Callers leaving messages at weekends and Bank Holidays will be responded to on the next working day. Calls are charged at local rates from anywhere in the UK. 

Head Office 

David Niven House, 10-15 Notre Dame Mews, Northampton NN1 2PR.

 Tel 01604 250505

Head Office Website

The website has been updated, so do visit by clicking here and let National Office know what you think.

Other useful links

 Click here for those links.