Frequently asked questions

Your Wellbeing Bedfordshire is a collective name for some of the services run by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.

The Community Referral (Social Prescribing) service has received support to create this website.

BRCC also run the Village Agent, Good Neighbour Scheme and Community Transport services.

The Community Referral Service provides free advice and support to help people improve their own health and wellbeing.

This service is also referred to as Social Prescribing.  You may hear this term from your GP who might recommend Social Prescribing to you.

Social prescribing allows GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer patients to non-medical services, which are often run by charities, with the aim of helping people to take greater control of their own health and wellbeing.

A Community Wellbeing Champion is our name for the link workers (or social prescribers) that offer support through the Community Referral Service.

A CWC will work with you to develop a personalised wellbeing plan.  They will support you to action the plan, including helping you connect with relevant services and activities in your local community.

They can also help you access practical advice and support with social issues such as debt, housing, finance and carer support.

To request help you need to be a patient of a GP either in Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire. Luton has a separate Social Prescribing service which we can signpost you towards.

The service is available to those over 18 years of age who are experiencing issues affecting their wellbeing or mental health. You also need to be registered with your local GP.

We aren’t able to work with people currently supported by a Community Mental Health Team.

If you live in Bedford Borough or Central Bedfordshire you can self refer into our service using our online enquiry form.

Yes, all CWC’s are checked by the Disclosure and Baring Service and will always operate in the strictest of confidence.

The CWC’s are employed by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity who also co-ordinate the Community Referral Service.