Support services/links

Mental health

Emergency mental health support
Call 111 (option 2) as the first point of contact if experiencing a mental health crisis. Support is available 24/7.
Mental Health Crisis Café
The café provides support and a safe place for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. It offers free help and advice for anyone 18 or older. Opening hours 17:00 - 23:00 daily
Florence Ball House, Bedford Health Village
3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK40 2NX
You can contact the Cafe on 01525 722 225 or by emailing crisiscafe@mind-blmk.org.uk during the hours listed
Young Person’s Sanctuary Bedford
Young people (14-17yrs) who are experiencing mental distress or crisis as well as those looking for a safe space to access some support. No one will ever be turned away.
Young people are welcome to bring anyone from their support system.
Young people do not need to be known to mental health services to attend.
Young people can still attend even if they are currently receiving support from CAMHs
this is a drop in service

5-7 Rush Court, Bedford, MK40 3JT
The Bedford Young Person’s Sanctuary will be open 7 days a week.
Monday – Friday; 5pm – 10pm
Saturday – Sunday; 4pm – 10pm

Bedford open door
counselling service for young people aged 13 to 25 who live in Bedford Borough or North Central https://www.bedfordopendoor.org.uk/
120 Tavistock Street,
Bedford, MK40 2SA
counselling@bedfordopendoor.org.uk
01234 360388
07922 105200
Bedfordshire and Luton Recovery College
run free courses/workshops focusing on well-being and mental health.
They run a monthly workshop based around LGBTQ+ topics called Being me
to find out more or to see the current prospectus visit the website
https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/bedfordshire-and-luton-recovery-college
Or visit
Bedford Wellbeing Centre, 3 Woburn Road, Bedford,MK40 1EG
Or email elft.recoverycollege@nhs.net
Telephone number 01234 263621 (Bedford) / 01582 315987 (Luton)

Helplines

Switchboard - the LGBT+ helpline - 0800 0119 100, open 10am–10pm every day. Email support: hello@swicthboard.lgbt. Online chat is also available through their homepage.
MindLine Trans+ - 0300 330 5468 Nationwide, is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as transgender, agender, gender fluid and non-binary.
Mindout - MindOut Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Mental Health Service – call 01273234839 or email info@mindout.org.uk or contact directly through their Online Support service. Dates and times on the website https://mindout.org.uk/
Samaritans - Samaritans offer a safe place to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. 24hr FREE phone calls from landline or mobile 116 123 / Email: jo@samaritans.org

Parents and young people support

Mermaids – Mermaids has many resources on their website https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ as well as a helpline 0808 801 0400 Monday – Friday; 9 am – 9 pm
and a text service text MERMAIDS to 85258 and a web chat service that is on their website
FFLAG – FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity. That is dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBT+ members. On the website, https://www.fflag.org.uk/ they have many resources to support as well as monthly online (Zoom) parent support groups. They also have a support helpline at 0300 688 0368
Qyouth Bedford - An LGBTQ+ Youth Group, in Bedford. They meet in a safe and welcoming space at Bedford. The group is run by experienced youth workers. Details of the group are kept under wraps to ensure everyone's privacy, so contact them for more info!
qyouthbedford@qalliance.org.uk

Sexual Health

iCASH – Bedford sexual health clinic, offering screenings, advice etc
5 St John's Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 0AH
Tel: 0300 300 3030
https://www.icash.nhs.uk/where-to-go/icash-bedfordshire/kings-brook-bedford
The Terrence Higgins Trust – The Terrence Higgins Trust has information and resources about sexual health https://www.tht.org.uk/

Support information for trans people

know your rights Following the Supreme Court Judgement Know Your Rights – TransActual
The name change process - http://transactual.org.uk/blog/2023/10/22/name-change-processes/
Trans safety fund Trans Safety Emergency Fund - TSEF
Support from your GP
https://transactual.org.uk/support-from-your-gp/
Common issues in healthcare and what to do
https://transactual.org.uk/medical-transition/common-healthcare-issues-and-what-to-do/

Local Gender Identity Clinics (a referral from your GP will need to be made to attend these clinics)

The Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health (based in Cambridge): The service will see patients who have been waiting on other gender clinics' waiting lists and whose referral was received by the GIC prior to February 28, 2021.
https://ncth.nhs.uk/east-of-england-service/
https://ncth.nhs.uk/eoefaq
Tavistock and Portman gender identity clinic - this clinic is based in London, taking referrals from Gps https://ncth.nhs.uk/east-of-england-service/
Trans Plus - TransPlus have been asked by NHS England to see adults who were originally referred to the Tavistock and Portman Gender Identity Clinic (GIC). This is a change from our previous eligibility criteria and aims to reduce the extensive waiting list to be seen at the Tavistock GIC
https://www.wearetransplus.co.uk/our-service/

Disability support

Autism Bedfordshire – Autism Bedfordshire supports people who have a diagnosis of Autism https://www.autismbedfordshire.net/
Carers in Bedfordshire - Founded to support carers aged 16 to 25 that care for the disabled and elderly in Bedfordshire. Includes support information, newsletters and details of local events as well as offering telephone contact for advice.
https://carersinbeds.org.uk/
Access Bedford (Deaf Access) – Access Bedford supports people who are deaf and hard of hearing https://accessbedford.org.uk/
Sight concern – Sight Concern supports people who are blind and partially sighted https://www.sightconcern.org.uk/about/

Inclusive churches