A comprehensive free advice and advocacy service for individuals requiring help with welfare benefits applications and appeals. Also provides specialist debt advice and representation in cours. The Centre holds a specialist Quality Mark on Welfare Benefits from the Legal Services Commission. The Centre is committed to its clients, which include the unemployed, the low-paid, disabled, ethnic minorities, pensioners and the young, and embraces the concept of equal opportunities for all. Languages: Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabe, Gujerati, Swahili, Italian, French, Polish, Russian, Lithuanian, Croatian and Latvian. Disabled access: partial access (ground floor), disabled toilet and disabled parking.

Bedford Credit Union opened in February 1998. Volunteer community-run savings and loan co-operative. Membership open to all living or working in North Bedfordshire. Supervised by the Financial Services Authority. Membership fee: £3.00. There is disabled access.

The CAB Service that provides independent advice on your rights.

Various topics are covered in fact sheets (available from CAB offices or from their website) in particular: Benefits, emmployment, tax, debt, family, housing, health, education and consumer affairs.

Bedfordshire and Luton Mind is the leading local mental health charity, working in close partnership with other agencies to provide friendship, respect, opportunity and choice to improve the lives of people with a range of mental health needs.

A time bank is a new and exciting way for people to come together to help others and help themselves at the same time. Participants 'deposit' their time in the bank by giving practical help and support to others and are able to 'withdraw' their time when they need something done themselves.

Far away from crowded cities is a place where a tropical paradise awaits you and your family. Located on the out skirts of Bedford you will find Bedford's own indoor tropical paradise the Oasis. The warming sun shines down on to the crystal clear waters with temperatures into the 80's. We are the pool with a difference! WAVES! FLUMES! BUBBLES! WATER CANNON! WATER MUSHROOM! BUBBLE BEDS! BUBBLE BURST! And in the summer an OUTDOOR RAPIDS! We have it all: something for everyone.

OASIS BEACH POOL offers a variety of swim sessions ranging from parent and toddler to adult only. You will also find Aquarobics, both daytime and evenings and suitable for all levels. Here at OASIS our aim is for you to have a safe and enjoyable experience every time you visit.

Robinson Pool underwent an award winning refurbishment in 2005 and is now Bedfordshire's premier swimming facility; home to Bedford's largest pool and is situated in the stunning grounds of Bedford Park.

A free, confidential and non-judgemental service. You can either make an appointment or drop in a range of services.

These include

• Complimentary therapies
• Auricular Acupuncture
• Information about drugs and alcohol
• One-to-one support
• Needle exchange
• Free condoms
• Safer injection advice
• Information about HIV and Hepatitis
• Informal open access
• Helpline
• Information on other local services
• Referrals to other services
• Relapse prevention
• Aftercare
• Progress2work

At the Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care Partnership NHS Trust we provide a range of Mental Health and Learning services.

Our services are designed to meet the needs of a diverse population of around 600,000 people and we do this from over 60 sites across Bedfordshire and Luton.

We have more than 1,600 professional and caring staff, all committed to making sure we provide the highest standards in clinical and care needs for every one of our clients.

The Partnership NHS Trust was formed in April 2005 by integrating the services previously provided by the Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust with the mental health services provided by the social care departments of Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council.

There are many good things happening within the Trust and we have services and projects that are recognised nationally for delivering excellence.

Bedford Bereavement Care are responsible for the management and operation of Norse Road Crematorium, Norse Road Cemetery and Foster Hill Road Cemetery.

Bedford Bereavement Care are a wholly owned Bedford Borough Council company. The Company was established in 1995 by the Council. All bereavement services in the Borough are provided by the Company. The offices of the Company are at Norse Road Cemetery. The Company is committed to providing a high quality, caring service for the bereaved with many options for memorialisation and burial/cremation.

Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. The organisation provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services.

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.