Luton Borough Council are working alongside volunteer run spaces and community hubs to provide warm places for Luton residents which are safe, warm and easily accessible. As well as offering a warm space, residents can get access to help and support, there is an opportunity to make friends and also to learn brand new skills.
For More Information, such as places offering Warm Spaces – please click the links below
1st Link – Bell House information
2nd Link – ELFT Warm Spaces
Mind BLMK’s Recovery Lounges offer evening support for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Operating daily from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, these lounges provide a safe and welcoming environment for anyone in Bedfordshire and Luton. The service is available 365 days a year, ensuring continuous support.
One to one sessions with a trained professional, therapeutic groups and a calm and supportive environment is what you can expect if you attend a Recovery Lounge.
For more information, such as locations and operating days, please click on the link below
The Service User Network (SUN) is a welcoming, community-based peer support service offered by Mind BLMK, designed for adults navigating complex emotional needs, often linked to a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder.’ SUN provides regular facilitated support groups where members can engage with peers, offering and receiving advice, support, and care in a safe, supportive environment. Once registered, you are free to attend as many or as few groups as you find helpful, empowering you to participate at your own pace.
To register, you have to fill out the admission form that can be found on the Mind BLMK website, in which you will receive an email after with welcome information such as a timetable for the different groups on offer.
The groups start with a 45 minute discussion with how every participant is feeling, their thoughts and ideas. After a 15 minute break, the ideas and feelings brought up during the start are discussed and explored then another break before coming back and discussing how each participant found the group before leaving.
Below is a link to the website for more information and the online admission form.
The Carents Room is a support network, supporting the millions of people caring for elderly patients. Many people may find looking after elderly patients confusing at times or overwhelming. Through using the Carents Room, you can discuss, explore and meet with other people who are in a similar situation to you, taking advice, tips and tricks from them.
They are the first organisation that are dedicated to supporting, celebrating and empowering ‘carents’. Carents are adult children who care for their elderly parents. Their mission is to transform ageing by making ‘carenting’ healthier, easier, happier and a more well rounded and engaging experience.
Carents was created to help you navigate the challenges of ageing and caregiving. They offer trusted, expert-led advice on care, health, legal, safety, and financial matters.
They provide:
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Trusted Information: Expert, independent guidance on caregiving, health, safety, legal, and financial issues.
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Support & Connection: A vibrant online community where you can share experiences and advice.
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Advocacy & Innovation: Raising awareness about the vital role of caregivers and inspiring businesses to create better products and services for ageing well.
Carents was founded in 2020 by Dr. Jackie Gray, a retired GP and Consultant in Public Health Medicine, with over 30 years of experience. It was created from both professional knowledge and personal experience to make sure those caring for an ageing relative don’t feel alone, lost, or undervalued
Talking Elephants is a network of free, monthly bereavement support groups established by Neville Funerals, based in Luton and the surrounding areas, to assist individuals coping with the loss of a loved one. These groups provide a safe, informal environment where attendees can share experiences, receive support, and connect with others facing similar challenges.
The groups are open to anyone who has experienced a loss and are held across various locations in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. Each session is facilitated by trained volunteers from the Neville Funerals team, ensuring a compassionate and understanding atmosphere.
To see where the groups are held, please click on the link below.
The Denny Review is a report that was created to address challenges and improve the quality of services in the Luton area, particularly regarding child protection and the safety of children. The review was carried out after serious concerns about how children were being cared for and whether the local authorities were doing enough to protect them.
In simple terms, the Denny Review looked at the work of social services and other agencies in Luton, to see if there were gaps or problems in how they were supporting children and families. It involved the Luton community by gathering feedback from local residents, workers, and leaders about their experiences and views. The goal was to make improvements and ensure better protection for children in the area.
So, in summary, the Denny Review is about examining how child welfare services were working in Luton, understanding community concerns, and making changes to improve things for everyone, especially children.
Luton Citizens Advice Bureau
The team at Citizens Advice is made up of both highly-trained volunteers and paid specialist advisers, who are always on hand to offer practical support, advice and assistance with a vast range of problems you may be facing. These include: Housing, Immigration, Debt, Welfare Benefits, Employment and Relationship Breakdown.
The service they offer is free, always confidential, impartial, independent and open to anyone and everyone in the Luton community who may require it.
There are three main ways to contact them. This can be done online through their website, in person at Community House or on the phone (08082787847)
Luton Food Bank
The Luton Food Bank is a volunteer-led, community-driven, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing short-term food assistance to individuals, couples, and families experiencing financial hardship. Their goal is to ease the burden for those struggling to make ends meet by offering vital support during difficult times.
Luton Food Bank is always in need of volunteers, and there are various ways you can contribute. Whether you can spare just a few hours or dedicate several days each week, your help will make a meaningful impact. Volunteers can assist in the warehouse, drive for deliveries and collections, engage in fundraising efforts, help with publicity, and much more.
To explore available volunteer roles, please visit the link below:
Volunteer with Luton Food Bank
For those facing financial difficulties, remember that you’re not alone. Luton Food Bank is one of many organisations offering support, advice, and guidance. To find your nearest distribution centre or to learn more about the food donations they urgently need, please visit the links below:
Donate Food
Get Food
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones is a charity in Luton that focuses on empowering and supporting women that are survivors of domestic abuse, substance abuse, at risk of offending or have offended. They also offer many free and confidential services such as childcare, abuse and trauma, one to one support and mentoring. Essentially, they offer a “stepping stone” for people to move forward in life and regain independence. Anyone who requires the use of their services can either self-refer themselves/drop in or be referred from a partner agency.
To learn about the full range of services they offer such as counselling and one to one support, how people can fundraise and donate money to volunteering and job vacancies, click on the link below to access their website.
Stepping Stones Luton
There are four main points of contact:
Telephone: 01582457114
Email: hello@steppingstonesluton.co.uk
Website: www.steppingstonesluton.org.uk
Address: Stepping Stones, 9a George Street West, Luton, LU1 2BJ
Luton Shopmobility
Luton Shopmobility is a dedicated independent charity located on Level 3 of the Market Car Park at The Mall Luton. They can be reached at 01582 738936. Open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, they offer a range of mobility aids, including electric scooters, manual wheelchairs, and powered wheelchairs, available for hire at just £2 per hour. To use their service, simply visit in person and complete an application form. Please bring two forms of ID when you come. If you’ve never used a scooter or wheelchair before, you can try one out in the car park before you hire. Kindly note, the last scooter hire is at 2:30 PM.