Supporting unpaid 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
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News, updates, competitions, tips, money savers, stories, events and more…
Latest news
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Even if you claim Carer’s Allowance you are still an unpaid carer
You could be an unpaid carer and get enhanced support from local services. Read full details about how you qualify as an unpaid carer…
Are you an unpaid carer?
A carer is someone who looks after a relative or friend who, because of age, mental health, physical or other disability, cannot manage at home without help. Even if you receive Carer’s Allowance for your caring role, you are still classed as an unpaid carer.
32 ways to improve your wellbeing
There are lots of ways to help improve your overall wellbeing as a carer. Here we have compiled some local organisations and support groups that can help with your wellbeing, as well as some nationally available services, phone apps and useful websites.
Carer’s benefits and money
This page provides information about carer’s benefits and money, with plenty of links to useful websites and free help for carers, available both locally and nationwide…
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
36 pages of information for unpaid carers
The Luton Carers’ Handbook is full of important information and useful tips for unpaid carers including:
- Contingency planning for carers
- Carer’s assessments & breaks for carers
- Carer’s benefits and money
- Employment support
- End of life care
- Information on medications and health conditions
- Useful local and national contacts
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers
- And much 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.
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. The Disability Resource Centre in Dunstable also provides specialist advice on a wide range of disability equipment including seating, beds and practical daily living aids.
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.