1) News from The Fountain Bedford: Our Doors are now open!

A new community Coffee House project which will benefit young people living in the Borough is now open after securing premises in Bedford town centre. The launch which took place on Saturday 7 April included a formal ribbon cutting ceremony led by North Bedfordshire MP and supporter of The Fountain, Alistair Burt and prayers of blessing by Paul Sands, Pastor of Russell Park Baptist Church.

The Fountain Bedford is now based at the venue below:

• Venue: The former Canopy Cafe, in the Bus Station, 9 Thurlow Street, Bedford
• Opening hours: 8.00am-6.00pm

This new project will provide a range of services for young people as well as a place to congregate in a safe and secure environment with later opening hours during the weekend.

On the ground and first floors, there is a cafe with comforty sofas with various activities which people can do. There is also a counselling and meeting room which can hired for use, as well as supporting the Listening Ear team which will operate from the building. Throughout the day, anyone popping in can access information about third party organisations such as housing, debt advice and relationship issues.

For evening events The Fountain will be open to those aged between 13 and 19, but in the day time adults can also access the services on offer in the town centre location.

There are various schemes to help you save money too - an adult loyalty card scheme which allows 10% discount on all purchases - and the price is just £5 a year. A young people loyalty card costing the same price as an adult card allows 50% on hot drinks and milkshakes and 10% off everything else. Town centre workers can get a 15% discount on their purchases by coming into the Coffee Shop in uniform or showing a member of the team some ID.

You can find out more about The Fountain Bedford by popping in and speaking to a member of the team, calling 01234 954 336, visiting them online here.

2) Connexions

PLEASE NOTE - As of Monday 23 April 2012, service times will be changing. You will no longer need an appointment to visit the centre in the morning and can call in at any time for the drop in service.

New Opening Hours

Monday – Thursday 10.00am – 4.30pm
Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY

3) Relate Bedfordshire and Luton

Relate Bedfordshire and Luton has recently launched a promotional video to highlight the range of service they can offer. The short film be seen on their website. Local budding starlets volunteered to star in short film with children from Bedford drama and dance school Stagecoach. Adults from the local 'am dram' society the Bedford Marionettes also helped.

Relate Bedfordshire and Luton currently have funding for confidential face to face young people and family counselling across Bedfordshire. If you would like more information please contact them on 01234 356350.

Young Parents to Be

This programme is for pregnant teenagers and young parents, taking them through the journey of pregnancy and the early months of their child’s life. You will receive an Edexcel certificate at the end of the course
The programme is designed to help you:

• To gain an understanding of antenatal development
• Develop ways to care for your young baby
• Understand how your role as a parent creates a strong
  parent/child bond
• plus lots more about you and your baby

The course duration is 2 hours a week and FREE places to parents and expectant parents. You will receive an Edexcel certificate at the end of the course. Please contact: Relate Education and Learning on 01234 342503 for more information on the next course or email at training@relatebedsandluton.org.uk.

4) Space for Hire

Do you need regular meeting space? Are you holding a one off event? Make a Difference offer four venues at Arlsey, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Sandy which are avilable to hire at reasonable rates with reductions for charities and not-for-profit organisations. The venues offer FREE Wifi, use of equipment, pool table, table tennis, a fully equipped kitchen. You can either hire a room or the whole venue. For further information and availability, please call 01908 231312 or email info@mad_uk.org.

5) Central Youth Bedfordshire Volunteering Project

Are you aged 13-18 and live in the Sandy/Biggleswade/Shefford or Flitwick area?Do you want to volunteer?If so, why not join the Central Youth Volunteering Project. Volunteer for just 10 hours and gain a nationally accredited award. It's fun and FREE! Volunteer at local events, conservation work, sports and much more! For more information contact Sarah Bigg on 07508113009 or email sarah@bedfordvb.org.uk.

6) 123 CREATE - Multi-purpose space is now available!

Bedford Creative Arts have opened a new community art, food and music space called 123 CREATE at 123 Midland road, Bedford - Do you need a space to make something happen? Do you need a space for any activities or workshops you are planning in the future? 123 CREATE used to be a restaurant and included in their facilities they have use of a fully functioning and certified commercial kitchen space as well as seating and tables for up to 50. National charity Taste Real Food is currently using the kitchen as a base and it is also hire out to cooking groups around the local area.

Bedford Creative Art's aim is to make 123 CREATE financially self sustainable and we already have 2 permanent groups using the space once a week, with 2 more joining in the coming weeks. At the moment the groups lined up range from jewellery makings courses, arts classes and drama rehearsals to youth groups and cooking clubs. BCA have also used 123 CREATE to show work and we hold their monthly BCA Artist Development Programme workshops there too.

The space is available to hire at very reasonable rates and can fit many different purposes, If you would like to know more or would like to come and visit the space please contact Gareth Barber on 01234 818670 or email GarethB@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk.

7) 123 Create: A New Youth Project

123 Create is open every Tuesday to anyone 13 to 19 who would like to take part in a new creative project.

Date: Every Tuesday
Venue: 123 Create, 123 Midland Road
Time: 7.00pm-9.00pm

To get involved, for membership enquiries or to simply find out more, please contact Simon Burns at simon.burns@bedford.gov.uk.

8) Activities for children,young people and families at Brickhill Baptist Church

Drop in for mums with new babies (up to 1 year)

This is FREE and gives mums chance to meet and chat with other new mums, share experiences and ideas.

Day: Mondays
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm

Toddlers Group

On Wednesday the church runs a Toddlers group which costs 50p per family which provides an opportunity for parents and carers to stay and play with their toddlers/ pre-school children. Includes refreshments.

Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1.30pm-3.00pm

Kid's Club

A Kid's Club for children in school years 2-6 is run on a Wednesday evening at a cost of 40p per child. The evening is games and challenges plus a short bible story.

Day: Wednesday evenings

Toddlers for dads session

Toddlers for dads session is a chance for dads to meet up with other dads and stay and play with their children (up to reception age) . The cost is £1.00 per family and includes bacon sandwiches.

Day: Third Saturday of each month
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm

Youth Group

A Youth Group for young people in school years 7 and up is run on a Friday evening. The evening starts with the younger youth (school years 7-9) at 6.30pm to 8.00pm and the older youth have a session that runs from 8.15pm to 10.00pm. Both groups cost 50p.

Additional information on all the above groups is available on the Brickhil Baptist Church website.

9) Current list of sexual health providers in Bedfordshire

NHS Bedfordshire have produced an updated list of Sexual Health Services provided through Community Pharmacies in Bedfordshire. Please click here to download.

10) 4YP Webwatch vacancies for young people in Central Bedfordshire

4YP regularly research and send out a Webwatch attachment to young people across Central Bedfordshire as a tool to help them research the local employment, education and training opportunities, and more, with guidance available through 4YP Qualified and Experienced Careers Advisers, through our community drop-ins, email, telephone or text plus schools and colleges who commission our careers service. Feedback from young people and partner agencies over past months suggest that it is proving to be an extremely useful tool. Click here to view.

Currently the research ,creation and distribution of the Webwatch is achieved by the 4YP team in their own time, and we now seek sponsorship from partner agencies who can see the value of this tool to local young people and wish to make a financial contribution to enable 4YP to employ a Marketing Apprentice to continue and grow this valuable service to young people. For additional information or to discuss sponsorship please feel welcome to contact 4YP Uk Directors deethomas@4ypuk.com or gillboydell@4ypuk.

Drop-in sessions

Day: Tuesdays
Venue: Houghton Regis Library and The Mayfield Centre, Downside
Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm

Day: Wednesdays
Venue: Houghton Regis Library, The Mayfield Centre, Downside and Dunstable Library
Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm

Day: Thursdays
Venue: TACTIC, Leighton Buzzard
Time: 3.00pm-6.00pm

11) CHUMS Emotional Wellbeing Support Service

CHUMS Emotional Wellbeing Support Service is a new community based service in Bedfordshire, delivered on behalf of the NHS and offers support to children, young people and their parent/carers as well as professionals, helping to improve and promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in children and young people from birth up until their 18th birthday. This service is part of the wider organisation CHUMS which provides bereavement support and a trauma service to children and young people and their parent/carers. Click here for more information about the service. The service offers support in a variety of ways including direct interventions with a child/young person at home or in school, group support for children/young people and/or their parent/carers and telephone advice and support for parents/carers, children/young people and professionals.

If you think CHUMS may be able to help you, please contact CHUMS on 01525 863924 or email info@chums.uk.com. You can also refer via their website.

12) Youth Matters 'becoming Mum'

Youth Matters has been working with teen parents for over ten years. Recently they have developed a new project called ‘Becoming MUM’. Becoming Mum is all about supporting and enabling new teen parents to understand how to become a parent and how best to look after themselves and their new baby. Training in basic skills, healthy living for both parent and child, counselling support if required ensures that they know how to look after themselves and their future. Youth Matters welcome young women who are pregnant to Youth Matters ‘becoming MUM’. They will meet others who can share their experiences with them and find a place that is welcoming and supportive to their personal needs. For an informal chat about ‘becoming MUM’, please contact Youth Matters on the following:-

A: 3 Duke Street, Bedford, MK40 3HR
T: 01234 311811
E: support@youthmatters.info

Youth Matters also provide a FREE counselling service for young people. Youth Matters Counselling is open on Mondays from 4.00pm to 8.00pm at the above address.

13) Antenatal Classes: For women, by women

Bedford Hospital Midwifery Parent Education Team would like to invite you to attend antenatal classes, held specifically for women only. The classes consist of three sessions covering:

• Labour, birth and coping at home
• Pain relief, modes of delivery and optimal positioning for baby
• Infant feeding, postnatal care and practical parenting skills

The sessions will be held at Pine Cones Children’s Centre, Slade Walk, Bedford. Sessions will be on Friday mornings from 10.00am to 12.00pm. Click here for 2012 dates.

14) The Freedom Programme

Details of current Freedom Programmes running in Central Bedfordshire can be found below:-

• Date: Wednesday for 12 weeks until 22nd February 2012 (term time only)
• Time: 1.00pm-3.00pm
• Venue: Tithe Farm Neighbourhood Centre, Houghton Regis

• Date: Wednesday for 12 weeks until 22nd February 2012 (term time only)
• Time: 1.30pm-3.00pm
• Venue: The Homestart building, Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard

(There is creche provision for this programme)

For any enquiries please e-mail cpeiadmin@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or telephone 0300 300 6431. For enquiries for the group in leighton Buzzard, please contact Linda Johnson at Homestart directly on 01525 374656. They are currently looking to start groups in Flitwick and Sandy in the New Year.

The Freedom Programme online course

The Freedom Programme is now available as an on-line course for FREE. It is funded by the Department of Education and hosted by the Single Parent Action Network UK. To enrol click here.Every UK resident who enrols receives a FREE copy of 'Living with the Dominator' and 'The Freedom Programme Home Study Course'.

15) Young Minds: The voice for young people's mental health and wellbeing

VIK is a four year Lottery funded project which involves thousands of children and young people campaigning to improve mental health service, to raise awareness about the importance of children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing and to increase young people’s participation in service design and delivery. VIK provides advice and training on how to actively involve young people in service design and delivery and training for young people that equips them with campaigning skills and the ability to deliver participation training to professionals and to young people.

If you would like to know more about the services and how they can help you, go to their website to find your regional worker and more details or email vikinfo@youngminds.org.uk. Click here for a promotional leaflet which provides more details on the project and which can be used to promote the project within your organisation.

16) BRCC launches new Products and Services Guide

BRCC is launching a brand new ‘Guide to our Services’. In response to customer feedback that it is difficult to know about all of the services BRCC can provide, they have produced a comprehensive guide that, for the first time, describes the range of services that are offered. BRCC have a limited number of hard copies available which they will be distributing shortly, but they encourage you to read the guide on their website.

17) ReachOut Plus - The Chellington Centre

The Chellington Centre is an inspirational residential and conference centre surrounded by stunning Bedfordshire countryside. As a school, charity, voluntary organisation or corporation you will find Chellington ideal for hosting:

• educational programmes
• development courses
• special needs events and courses
• inspirational residential retreats
• training and inset days
• corporate seminars and conferences
• private event

Click here to visit the website or contact Iain Mackilligan, Education and Development Manager on 08452160089 for more information.

18) R.A.V.E Bus

The RAVE bus is a mobile venue which can be used as a youth or community meeting place, a focal point of contact or a mobile office. The vehicle boasts:

• A comfy seating areaSmall area for making drinks
• Widescreen TV with freeview and DVD player
• A CD player
• Separate gazebo with an outdoor table and chairs

The bus can accommodate up to 15 people at any one time and there is an access ramp available. For more information on hiring the vehicle please contact Roz Carman on 01234 832612.

Cost:

• Voluntary or community group (no paid staff): £30 per hour
• Organisation with 1-10 employees: £40 per hour
• Organisation 11-50 employees: £50 per hour

Organisation 51 and over employees: £60 per hour. There is a minimum session length of 3 hours and the hire costs include a driver. Please note that our hire charges are exclusive of VAT. The RAVE bus is a service that is only available to our members. For information on the full range of BRCC member benefits, or to become a member, please click here. Contact BRCC also for discounted off-peak and last-minute rates!

19) WorkShop in Mind: Bedfordshire and Luton Mind

WorkShop in Mind is an agency that will match a Support Assistant's skills to your individual needs, safeguards and facilitates flexible working partnerships, including service agreements and payments and provides training, ongoing support and development for people returning to work after recovery from mental health issues. Service include support to acess community activities, help and support with general household tasks and specific household services. This service is for people over 18 who have lived a mental health experience and are ready to return to work on a support self-employed basis. If you would like more information or to discuss joining or using the service, please contact Bedfordshire and Luton Mind on 01234 343869 or email claire@bedsandlutonmind.org.uk.

20) Grove Corner - Rooms for hire

Various rooms are available to hire at Grove Corner, High Street, North Dunstable. £15.00 per hour for commercial bookings and £7.50 for community bookings. Kitchen facilities are available, pool and football table and computers with internet access. For more information, please contact Jan Tonge on 07595067708 or email janet.tonge@ dunstable.gov.uk. (23.12)