There are a number of playschemes which take place during school holidays in Central Bedfordshire.  These are run by voluntary organisations and some are financially supported by Central Bedfordshire Council.

You will need to contact the individual organisations for further details and usually membership of the organisation is a requirement.

Families United Network Holiday Club - contact: Sandra on 01582 523691 or Diane Rhodes on 01525 636680

Autism Bedfordshire - contact: 01234 350704 or email enquiries@autismbeds.org

Mencap Bedford – only open to statemented children with a learning disability. Contact: Claire Gates on 01525 716 588 or Mike Bonney on 01234 781 254

National Deaf Children’s Society Beds Region - Playscheme. Based at Alban Neve, Old Bedford Road, Luton (transport available). Contact: 01234 856955

Skools Out Playscheme -  Ridgeway, Kempston, primarily for children with Cerebral Palsy and/or physical disabilities, or physical and learning disabilities Contact: 01234 351759

SNOOSC Hillcrest School - Regis Educational Centre, Parkside Avenue, Dunstable, for children and young people with severe learning difficulties. Contact: 01582 868244

A Blue Badge (formerly Orange Badge) can permit parking where it is otherwise restricted and to allow badge holders to park close to their destination.

A badge may be applied for in relation to a child who is over two years old and has serious difficulty walking. This includes children with very severe behavioural difficulties whose walking is affected by that behaviour. There are new criteria for children under two years who have a condition requiring the transportation of bulky medical equipment or have to be kept near the vehicle at all times for treatment in the vehicle or for transportation to a place for treatment.

You can download the blue badge application form (PDF 170KB) (PDF 550KB) and return the completed form (with the requested enclosures) to:

Car Badges
Customer Finance
Central Bedfordshire Council
Technology House
239 Ampthill Road
Bedford
MK42 9BD

The National Key Scheme was introduced because an increasing number of local authorities and other organisations providing public toilets felt that they had to lock their toilets, to counter vandalism and in order to reduce costs. If toilets have to be locked, local authorities and others are asked to join the NKS which involves fitting standard locks to their toilets and making keys available to disabled people.

Nearly 3000 toilets across the country have been fitted with NKS locks.  The countrywide list of toilets fitted with the RADAR National Key Scheme lock is available online as part of the website www.directenquiries.com – this website also gives a list of accessible toilets.

A RADAR key can be obtained, free of charge, from the:

Disability Resource Centre
Poynters House
Poynters Road
Dunstable
LU5 4TP

You will need proof of disability eg a Blue Badge or Disability Living Allowance confirmation.

For more information:

• Tel: 01582 470 900
• Email: information@drcbeds.org.uk or
• Phone RADAR on 020 7250 3222

Autism Bedfordshire (AB) is an independent Charity which provides information, advice, emotional and practical support for children/young people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and their parents/carers in Bedfordshire and Luton. For more information, please contact: Autism Bedfordshire Tel. 01234 350704; www.autismbeds.org or email enquiries@autismbeds.org

Bedford and District Cerebral Palsy Society (BDCPS) aims to support people in North and Mid Bedfordshire with Cerebral Palsy, their families and carers.   For a full programme of events contact:   Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society 01234 351759; bedscpsociety@tiscali.co.uk website : www.bdcps.org.uk

Bedfordshire Down’s Syndrome Association  (BDSSG) is a local group affiliated to the Down’s syndrome Association.  For further information please look at the website www.bedsdownssyndrome.co.uk or call Karen 01525 841418 or Helen 01525 718068

Carers in Bedfordshire is a Network Member of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, a national network helping and supporting carers throughout the UK. Carers in Bedfordshire is free to join and offers a huge range of services. For further information please contact - 01234 214914 or 01767 315079 or email elaine.wallbank@carersinbeds.org.uk

Sibling Project – Carers in Bedfordshire:  For Children and Young People who have a sibling, brother or sister with a disability, illness or additional needs. A monthly club night held Biggleswade, Dunstable and Houghton Regis. The group also organises trips and outings in the school holidays, brings siblings together to support each other, have fun and share common experiences. For further information please contact Janice Shankland, 01234 214914 or 07584 340965 janice.shankland@carersinbeds.org.uk or www.carersinbeds.org.uk

FAMILIES UNITED NETWORK – FUN is a family oriented group offering support to families who have a child with a disability or special need. For further information check out the web site at www.familiesunitednetwork.co.uk or call Diane Rhodes 01525 636680 or Sandra Warner 01582 523691

Forget-Me-Nots – Sibling Support Group – Dunstable:  This group is for brothers and sisters of children on the autistic spectrum. The group meets every two weeks on a Tuesday between 6 and 8pm and is for children aged between 7 and 11.  They meet at The Beehive Children’s Centre, Westfield Road, Dunstable, LU6 1DW. For further information please contact Michelle Hart 01582 699092

SPARX THEATRE GROUP – Leighton Buzzard:  Sparx is a theatre drama group run for the benefit of people of all ages and disabilities. They meet regularly, for further information please contact 01582 818801 or email info@sparkxtheatre.org.uk

Sweet Peas Special Needs support group - Sandy is a weekly support group for parents and carers of children with special needs. The group meets every Tuesday (including the school holidays) between 1.30pm and 3.00pm at Sandy Baptist Church Hall, Bedford Road, Sandy. For any additional information please contact Manor Farm Family Centre on 01767 683015.

Yawn 16 – Houghton Regis:  A social club for young adults with learning disabilities aged 16 to 30 from Luton and Bedfordshire. The group meets at Kingsland Community Centre, Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire LU5 5DW. For further information please contact Julie on 01582 528154 or email youth.club@ntlworld.com