Supporting carers in Luton every week of the year
Carers Central is here to help the 19,000 unpaid carers in Luton
Carers Central is a hub that enables adult carers to have the information, advice and support they need to have a life of their own, alongside their caring roles.
Carers Central is a free service provided by The Disability Resource Centre funded by Luton Council.
Opening hours
We are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Call 0300 303 0201
Email: carerscentral@drcbeds.org.uk
Emergency help
If you need help in an emergency then there are many local and national services available
Sign-up to our free Carers Central newsletter
News, updates, competitions, tips, money savers, stories, events and more…
Latest news
When Caring is a Way of Life: Finding Support in Luton
It can be difficult to recognise when you are an unpaid carer. Many people simply see it as part of their relationship with a family member or friend. However, understanding your role as a carer is the first step to accessing vital support.
A guide for new unpaid carers in Luton, with support from Carers Central
Becoming an unpaid carer for a loved one can be a significant life change. This guide is designed to help new unpaid carers in Luton navigate these initial steps and access the resources available to you.
Taking a Break: Respite Services Available to Unpaid Carers in Luton
Being an unpaid carer is a rewarding yet demanding role. Taking a break is important and that’s where respite services come in. Read what’s available in Luton.
Stay warm & save money: Your guide to energy support for Luton’s unpaid carers this winter 2024 / 2025
Carers Central and The Disability Resource Centre has compiled a comprehensive guide to energy support resources to help you navigate the challenges and stay warm this winter: Winter can be a financially stressful time, especially for unpaid carers. The rising cost of energy adds an extra burden, but help is available…
Read the December edition of the Carers Central newsletter
Read the December edition of the Carers Central newsletter. Take a look at the highlights: Our holiday opening times, we just launched 10 language versions of our popular Luton Carers’ Handbook, the events and venues we have helping unpaid carers around Luton, Carers Rights Day update, a warming and nourishing recipe, a winter energy and money support guide and more…
Luton Carers’ Handbook – Now available in 11 languages
Download your free copy of the latest edition of the Luton Carers’ Handbook. Luton Council, our Carers Central funders, kindly arranged the translation of our popular Luton Carers’ Handbook, from English, to 10 further popular languages spoken in Luton.
Preparing for home after hospital: Our guide for carers when a loved one is discharged from hospital
When someone you care for is ready to leave hospital, it can feel overwhelming. So Levi and Sally, our Carer Support Workers, decided to share the advice they give carers to help make the transition from hospital to home as easy as possible. We compiled some easy to follow steps and reminders plus plenty of practical tips and handy phone numbers for support services in Luton.
Your guide to the “I am a Carer” Service from Luton Council
Explore the full range of support available from Luton Council’s “I am a Carer” service. For fast access to getting a Carer’s Assessment, financial support, breaks for carers and much more the “I am a Carer” website is full of quick links and vital information for unpaid carers in Luton.
The Luton Carers Partnership Board held a meeting on 9th October 2024
Luton Carers Partnership Board held an online meeting on Wednesday 9th October 2024. Read all about the topics discussed.
Carers Central is encouraging GP practices across Luton to implement quality assurance frameworks for unpaid carers
The Carers Central team, part of The Disability Resource Centre, is encouraging GP practices across Luton to implement quality assurance frameworks for unpaid carers. This initiative aims to improve support for unpaid carers and increase understanding of their role within the community. By adopting these frameworks, GP practices can better recognise and address the wider needs of carers, ultimately enhancing the care they provide to both unpaid carers and those they support.
If you’re on a musculoskeletal waiting list, here’s 5 good reasons to join the new and free MSK ActiveWell programme
If you are struggling with a musculoskeletal condition, feeling stuck on waiting lists, and unsure of how to manage your pain and regain control of your life then our new MSK ActiveWell programme could be the answer. With 1-2-1 support from your own health and wellbeing coach, the programme is unique for everyone. Find out more…
Help decide how the support and services from Luton Adult Social Care are planned and provided
Luton Council are looking for unpaid carers or people who use Luton Adult Care, they could be an Expert by Experience or a family member too, to join them in designing better Adult Care services for the future.
17 free dementia care training videos
The NHS BLMK Staying in Touch Newsletter featured this brilliant free resource of 17 free dementia care training videos, produced by Norfolk and Suffolk Care Support…
Plan for the unexpected: Your guide to creating a care contingency plan
A contingency plan is just a fancy way of saying “plan for the unexpected”. As a carer, a contingency plan will outline some basic information so that others can step in to help and provide the necessary care should you suddenly be unable to.
The Carers Central team are busy helping unpaid carers in Luton, every week of the year
Read this small selection of the ways we’ve recently been helping carers in Luton:
We helped a carer get a wheelchair for her dad
We supported a carer to have more control over their caring role and improved communication with mental health services
We helped a carer get a repeat prescription for their cared-for person and to access a local counselling service
We supported a carer to join Yoga classes and they now also attend our weekly carers coffee morning with other local carers
We helped a carer fill in the forms to claim Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance
We helped a carer set-up a Needs Assessment and Carers Assessment with Luton Council. This was conducted over the phone and they received the specific equipment needed for their cared-for person
We referred a carer to Total Wellbeing Luton for talking therapy. The carer was supported to start online exercise classes. We have started to call this carer every month to check how they are doing, as part of our welfare phone calls to local carers that need regular support
We helped a carer to apply for Attendance Allowance and a Blue Badge. We also supported them with a referral to Luton Council Adult Social Services to conduct a Needs Assessment
We supported a carer to create a wellbeing action plan and have now started weekly welfare calls to the carer, to check their progress and help with any issues
We referred a carer to Age Concern to organise help with house cleaning and to Morrison’s for their Doorstep Delivery service. We also supported the carer to talk to their GP about mental health issues and helped them organise a key safe to be installed and a weekly sitting service to be set-up
We helped a carer to request a risk assessment for their cared-for person and talking therapy support. We then helped them obtain a Carer’s Assessment to look at their own wellbeing needs
Free handbook for unpaid carers in Luton
Luton Carers’ Handbook: Download your free copy now
We just updated the Luton Carers’ Handbook and is now available in 11 versions in popular languages. It’s full of important information and useful tips including: Contingency planning, Carer’s Assessments, respite breaks for carers, benefits and money, employment support, end of life care, information on medications and health conditions, useful local and national contacts plus an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers section.
Services for unpaid carers at The Disability Resource Centre
Direct Payments support
A Direct Payment is a way that people can access funds (e.g. from their council) to arrange their own care and can continue to live as independently as possible.
The experienced team at The Disability Resource Centre helps hundreds of local people to hire their own personal care assistants. The team will handle all the paperwork that goes with Direct Payments and employing a carer too.
Read full details and book an appointment on The Disability Resource Centre website
Mobility equipment advice
You can hire a wheelchair, get help choosing mobility equipment like scooters, walkers and rollators. Specialist advice on seating and beds is available along with many practical daily living aids and lower priced second-hand equipment.
Book an appointment on The Disability Resource Centre website.
Disability advice service
The disability advice service is confidential, independent and free.
You’ll get lots of help with benefits form-filling like Carer’s Allowance and PIP, plus plenty of support with accessing many of the free local and national services for unpaid carers.
Book an appointment on The Disability Resource Centre website.
Carers Central is a free service provided by The Disability Resource Centre funded by Luton Council.