Our training programmes aim to equip and empower you as a carer.
Training is very important for carers for a number of reasons.
- It provides you with the essential skills and knowledge you need to care safely.
- It helps maintain your wellbeing and can prevent you from becoming ill yourself.
- It can also help reduce feelings of isolation and provide an opportunity for you to do something for yourself.
As well as running our own training courses we also aim to signpost you to other training providers so you can access training to suit your needs:
Training is very important for carers for a number of reasons.
- It provides you with the essential skills and knowledge you need to care safely.
- It helps maintain your wellbeing and can prevent you from becoming ill yourself.
- It can also help reduce feelings of isolation and provide an opportunity for you to do something for yourself.
As well as running our own training courses we also aim to signpost you to other training providers so you can access training to suit your needs:
Bedford Training Programme: September to December19
Bedford Programme: July to Sept - to print
Bedford Training Programme: Oct to Dec - to print
Tuesday 3 September, 10.30am—12.30pm
Managing Anxiety
Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
Learn to recognise anxiety and how to use techniques to take control.
Friday 13 September to 6 December , 10.30am-12.30pm
Art for Wellbeing
Anne Thompson
Enhance your wellbeing by spending two hours absorbed in art with others.
£6.00 per session
Monday 16 September, 12.15-1.15pm
Talk on Power of Attorney
Premier Solicitors
Did you know that Power of Attorney needs to be done in advance before mental capacity has been lost? This talk will help you understand how a Power of Attorney can help protect a persons interests and when someone has lost mental capacity.
Tuesday 17 September, 10.30-12.30pm
5 Ways to Wellbeing—Recovery College, Barford Avenue, Bedford
Carers in Bedfordshire Team
Learn practical steps to improve your emotional wellbeing.
Thursday 19 September, 10.30am—12pm
Meet the Team
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Find out about our services.
Thursday 26 September 1.30-3.30pm
Digital Photography
Paul Derrek
Learn new skills and embark on a project by yourself or with our Camera Club.
Tuesday 15 October, 12pm—2pm
Talk & Lunch: Introduction to Telecare—Bedford Borough Council
Find out how telecare can help you and the person you care for. Have lunch with other carers and share your caring experiences.
£5.00 for light lunch & drinks
Thursday 17 October, 10.30am—12.30pm
Benefits Talk by Citizens Advice, Bedford
Claiming benefits is a complex process. This talk will explain what benefits you can apply for as a carer and how to apply. As well as what benefits are available for the person you care for.
Tuesday 5 November, 10.30am -12.30pm
5 Ways to Wellbeing by Carers in Bedfordshire Team
Carers in Bedfordshire Team
Learn and share with other carers practical steps to improve your emotional wellbeing.
Tuesday 12 November, 12pm—2pm
Talk & Lunch: Occupational Health by Bedford Borough Council & ELFT
Learn how the Occupational Health team can help the person you care for remain independent in the home. Have lunch with other carers and share your caring experiences.
£5.00 for light lunch & drinks
Tuesday 19 November, 10.30am—12pm
Meet the Team—Bedford Office
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Find out about our services and meet the team.
Thursday 28 November 1.30-3.30pm
Digital Photography—Paul Derrek
Learn new skills and embark on a project by yourself or with our Camera Club.
All the training takes place at the Bedford office unless otherwise stated.
Chiltern Vale & Leighton Buzzard Training Programme: August to December 19
Chiltern Vale & Leighton Buzzard Training Programme: July to Sept - to print
Chiltern Vale & Leighton Buzzard Training Programme: Oct to Dec - to print
Monday 19 August, 10am-12pm
Falls Prevention and Recovery
Nadia Kopec, The Mobility Physio
Balance is just the same as strength...if you don't challenge it then you lose it. Like a muscle it can decrease as we get older because we don't test it as much. Learn about how simple exercises, tips and tricks around the house can help prevent falls for you or a loved one, assist if you do fall and help with recovery if you do. Exercises practised regularly can help maintain a person's independence.
Dunstable Fire Station, Brewers Hill Rd, LU6 1AA
Wednesday 18 September, 10am-12pm
Flower Arranging
Kerry Sykes, Florist
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn the art of flower arranging with an experienced florist. This is a hands-on workshop. A demo will be followed by an opportunity to do your own display to take home with you. The workshop is open to ALL. No experience required. Please confirm your place as soon as possible as places are limited.
Scout Hut, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4SW
Fee: £5.00 to cover materials
Tuesday 8 October 2019, 6pm-8pm
Reclaim Life at the Dunstable Carer’s Group
Come to hear a talk on the life coaching service they provide.
Dunstable Carers Group, Salvation Army, Bullpond Lane, Dunstable, LU6 3AH
Please call to book if you are not a member of the Dunstable Carer’s Group
Free (Donations Welcome)
Thursday 31 October 2019, 10am – 12pm
A Talk by a Local Police Community Support Officer at the Leighton Buzzard Morning Group
Rachel Carne
Come to hear a talk about safety for carers, for the community and the work Rachel does
Greenfields, Theedway, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9SP
Please call to book if you are not a member of the Leighton Buzzard Morning Group
Free (Donations Welcome)
Monday 11 November 2019, 7pm – 9pm
Talk Depression
Dr Middleton, Consultant Psychiatrist at Crombie House, Leighton Buzzard
Dr Middleton will give a talk about depression and its treatments. He will illustrate his talk with real-life accounts of people living with depression and welcomes contributions from the audience.
Room tbc, First Floor, Leighton Buzzard Library, Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX
Booking necessary for all
Free (Donations Welcome)
Wednesday 20 November 2019, 10am – 12pm
Christmas Crafts Workshop
Palma Quinn
Get into the festive spirit with making a card or decorations on a Christmas/seasonal theme
Leighton Buzzard Scout Hut, 48 Grovebury Rd, Leighton Buzzard LU7 4SW
Booking necessary for all
Free (Donations Welcome)
Tuesday 26 November 2019, 1pm – 3pm
Christmas Crafts at the Houghton Regis Carer’s Group
Palma Quinn
Get into the festive spirit with making a card or decorations on a Christmas/seasonal theme
Houghton Regis Carer’s Group, Houghton Regis Library, Bedford Square, Houghton Regis, LU5 5ES
Please call to book if you are not a member of this Group as places are limited
Free (Donations Welcome)
Ivel Valley & West Mid Beds Training Programme: September to December 19
Ivel Valley Programme: July to Sept - to print
Ivel Valley Programme: Oct to Dec - to print
All training is held at the Biggleswade office, unless stated otherwise.
Wednesday 4 September, 2pm to 3.30pm
Mindful Crafting
Karen Mangold
Enhance your wellbeing by spending time making crafts or doing mindful colouring.
£2.00 for materials and drinks
Saturday 7 Sept, 11am-2pm, Adult Learning Centre, Biggleswade, SG18 8HA
Meet the Team
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Come and find out about the range of services we offer.
Tuesday 10 September, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Military Intelligence Museum
A talk on the history of D-Day.
£5.00 for a light lunch and drinks
Thursday 12 Sept, 10am—12pm, The Hub, Ivel Valley School, SG18 0NL
Meet the Team
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Come and find out about the range of services we offer.
Thurs 19 September to 14 November, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Art for Wellbeing
Deidre Porter-Hanson
Enhance your wellbeing by spending two hours absorbed in art with other
£42 for the course or £6.00 per session
Wednesday 2 October, 2.00-3.30pm
Mindful Crafting
Karen Mangold
Enhance your wellbeing by spending time making crafts or doing mindful colouring.
£2.00 for materials and drinks
Tuesday 8 October, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Bobby Scheme
They provide information to help vulnerable people safer at home and out and about.
£5.00 for a light lunch and drinks
Wednesday 9 October, 2pm—4pm
Shefford Library, SG17 5DD
Meet the Team
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Come and find out about the range of services we offer
Tuesday 5 November, 10.00am-12.30pm
Autism: A Dad’s story
An informative and emotional account of caring for someone with Autism.
Wednesday 6 November, 2.00-3.30pm
Mindful Crafting
Karen Mangold
Enhance your wellbeing by spending time making crafts or doing mindful colouring.
£2.00 for materials and drinks
Tuesday 12 November, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Fire & Safety Advice
Interactive discussion about keeping yourself and your property safe.
£5.00 for light lunch & drinks
Wednesday 4 December, 2.00-3.30pm
Mindful Crafting
Karen Mangold
Enhance your wellbeing by spending time making crafts or doing mindful colouring.
£2.00 for materials and drinks
Tuesday 10 December, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Christmas Sparkle
Come and create something special for Christmas.
£5.00 for a light lunch and drinks
1-to-1 Smartphone / Tablet / Laptop Training
1-to-1 Smartphone / Tablet / Laptop training
Did you know that everyday technology can help you as a carer? Using Skype, on-line shopping or booking a GP appointment online. To find out more book a 1-1 IT training session for some advice, tips and instructions on technology.
Mondays, 10.00am – 1.00pm
Pilgrim Centre, Brickhill Drive, Bedford
Fee: Free (Donations welcome)
Contact: Nicola West, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0300 111 1919
Monday afternoons
Sea Cadet HQ, Biggleswade
Fee: Free (Donations welcome)
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01767 315 079
Wednesday, 2 & 4th week, various times
Leighton Buzzard Library
Fee: Free (Donations welcome)
Contact: Anna Kidman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 07772 231 208
Local Training Providers
Carers in Bedfordshire is not responsible for the content delivered by an external provider.
For Parent Carers with children with autism - Autism Bedfordshire
You Programme - Impact - Focuses on improving your mental and physical wellbeing
Mar to Aug - ELFT Child & Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing training for Parents (ends 20 Aug)
Online Learning
"About Me: Building Resilience for Caring" is an online training package especially created for unpaid carers by Carers UK. Click here to learn more.
Thinking Ahead is a free online resource by Carers UK. It aims to prepare people for the potential costs involved in caring for a family member or loved one, and highlights key issues for carers in work.
Looking for free social care training visit wefindanylearner.co.uk for a wide number of level 2 courses.
FutureLearn provides a wide range of online courses designed by leading universities for a wide range of learners. They have many courses that help increase your knowledge about conditions and your caring role.
Here are some courses by FutureLearn that you might find useful as a carer
Understanding Anxiety, Depression & CBT
Integrating Care: Depression, Anxiety & Physical Ilness
Youth Mental Health: Helping Young People with Anxiety
Dementia Care: Staying Connected & Living Well
Living Well as Dementia Progresses
Creating Moments of Joy for People with Dementia
End of Life Care for People with Dementia
Dysphagia: Swallowing Difficulties & Medicines
It Starts with your Heart: British Heart Foundation