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: April to September 19
Bedford Programme: April to June - to print
Bedford Programme: July to Sept - to print
Starts Friday 3 May, 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 13 May, 12.15-1.15pm
Talk on Care Home funding, Wills & Power of Attorney
Tollers Solicitors
Learn ways to fund your care and prepare a will.
Thursday 23 May, 1.30-3.30pm
Digital Photography
Paul Derrek
Learn new skills and embark on a project by yourself or with our Camera Club.
Tuesday 4 June, 10.30-12.30pm
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Sandra Rome
Learn practical steps to improve your emotional wellbeing.
Starts Wednesday 5 June for 3 weeks, 6.30 to 7.30pm
Mindfulness & Meditation
Dan Satterthwaite
Feeling stressed & frazzled? Learn new skills to help you in everyday life.
Monday 17 June, 12.15-2.15pm
Autism: A Dad’s Story
An informative and emotional account of caring for someone with Autism.
Talk only - Free (donations welcome)
Tuesday 20 June, 2pm-4pm
Meet the Team
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Find out about our services.
Tuesday 9 July, 10.30am—12.30pm
Introduction to Mindfulness
Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
Learn to enjoy the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Tuesday 3 September, 10.30am—12.30pm
Managing Anxiety
Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service
Learn to recognise anxiety and how to use techniques to take control.
Starts Friday 13 September, 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.
All the training takes place at the Bedford office.
Chiltern Vale & Leighton Buzzard Training Programme: April to September 19
Chiltern Vale & Leighton Buzzard Programme: April to June - to print
Chiltern Vale & Leighton Buzzard Programme: July to Sept - to print
Wednesday 24 April, 10am-12pm
Lasting Power of Attorney
Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Ltd
Find out why it is important to have a PofA in place before someone loses capacity, how to set one up and what to do when this has not been possible.
Dunstable Fire Station, Brewers Hill Rd, LU6 1AA
Wednesday 15 May, 10am-12pm
Maintaining & Improving Mobility
Nadia Kopec, Physiotherapist
Learn about how we stand, walk and balance and how to maintain good functioning with simple tasks and exercises.
Scout Hut, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4SW
Wednesday 5 June, 10am-12pm
Talk on Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Specialist Nurse
Learn more about this disease, how it progresses, how to manage symptoms and aspects of life as the disease progresses and what support services are available.
Scout Hut, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4SW
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 17 July, 10am-1pm
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Carers in Bedfordshire Team
Welcome to the CIB Wellbeing Workshop. You give so much that we want you to take some time out for you. This 3 hour workshop puts into practice the 5 Ways to Wellbeing themes: Connect, Be Active, Learn, Take Notice and Give. From a taster in chair yoga, to fun exercises with the ‘Connection ball’ and a Commitment to Self Certificate; leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and inspired in this new workshop from Carers in Bedfordshire. We’d encourage as many of you as possible to attend to take advantage of all that is on offer and to make this a positive event to remember.
Scout Hut, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4SW
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
Ivel Valley & West Mid Beds Training Programme: April to September 19
Ivel Valley Programme: April to June - to print
Ivel Valley Programme: July to Sept - to print
Wednesday 3 April, 1 May & 5 June, 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
Biggleswade office
Starts Thursday 2 May for 12 weeks
Art for Wellbeing—Deidre Porter-Hanson
Enhance your wellbeing by spending two hours absorbed in art with others.
Biggleswade office
£66 per course or £6.00 per session
Tuesday 14 May, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Autism: A Dad’s Story
An informative and emotional account of caring for someone with Autism.
Biggleswade office
£5.00 for light lunch & drinks
Tuesday 11 June, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Planning a Funeral
GH Seamer Funeral Directors
Learn what is involved and how to organise a funeral.
Biggleswade office
£5.00 for a light lunch and drinks
Wednesday 12 June, 12pm-2pm
Meet the Team
Newly registered with Carers in Bedfordshire? Come and find out about the range of services we offer.
Flitvale Garden Centre, Flitwick Rd, Westoning, MK45 5AA
Wednesday 3 July, 7 August & 4 September, 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 9 July, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: POhWer
Hear about the advocacy and support work they do.
Biggleswade office
£5.00 for a light lunch and drinks
Wednesday 17 July, 10.30am—12.30pm
Relaxation for Carers
Mel Reynolds, Carers in Bedfordshire
Our Relaxation Therapist will be explaining some ‘carer friendly’ techniques.
Tuesday 13 August, 12.30-3pm
Talk & Lunch: Age UK
Learn more about the services they offer.
£5.00 for light lunch & drinks
Starts September - contact Dawn Ray for more details
Art for Wellbeing
Deidre Porter-Hanson
Enhance your wellbeing by spending two hours absorbed in art with other
£6.00 per session
Saturday 7 Sept, 11am-2pm, Adult Learning Centre, Biggleswade, SG18 8HA
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.
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
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 Parents caring for a child with autism - Autism Bedfordshire
Caring for MS - MS Therapy Centre
Caring & You - Stroke Association in Central Bedfordshire
The NHS ELFT Recovery College provides training for people experiencing mental health issues and their carers. Read more about the Recovery College here.
You Programme - Impact - Focuses on improving your mental and physical wellbeing
12 March to 16 April - Introduction to Counselling by the Counselling Foundation, Bedford
Mar to Aug - ELFT Child & Adolescent Emotional Wellbeing training for Parents
16 April - Bedford - ELFT - Managing Emotions, Resilience & Self-esteem in children & adolescents
23 May - Flitwick - ELFT - Exam & School Pressure
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