About The Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society
Bedford & District Cerebral Palsy Society was established over fifty years. Our primary aim is to support people in North and Mid Bedfordshire with Cerebral Palsy, their families and carers.
What We Provide
- An information and support service, which allows those individuals to make informed choices, access services and work together with us towards the development of more 'needs-led' services.
- Playschemes or activities in all school holidays.
- Monthly Saturday activity clubs.
- A monthly "Indulgence" support group for parents/carers.
- A monthly hydrotherapy swim club.
- Funding to individuals for specialist equipment, holidays etc.
- Newsletters, campaigning, information days and social activities.
Use the links on the right for more information on what we provide.
The Team
Jane Howard White - Support and Development Manager
Jane has worked with young people with disabilities for 28 years in a variety of settings. Firstly with children who had visual impairment and physical disabilities at Rushton Hall School run by the RNIB. She then moved onto what was then called “The Spastics Society “ to work at Meldreth Manor School where she qualified as a specialist Social Worker. She moved to Bedfordshire and after working at the newly opened George Beal House for two years moved on to join the team setting up Sunflower House as the deputy then becoming Officer in charge. After a break taken to have children she began the role of Support and Development Coordinator at BDCPS.
Jane has overall responsibility for all of the projects run by BDCPS. She was responsible for the creation of the activity schemes and expanded them to such a degree they now require separate coordination. Rose McHugh - Activities Coordinator
Rose has been managing play provisions since 2001 after a change in career from the legal field. Rose gained her Level 3 Diploma in Playwork in 2003. She has experience of a wide variety of different settings. Her experience in the field has given her a great passion for play and the benefits that it can provide for all children.
She joined the scheme to continue the development of the holiday scheme that Jane began. She aims to continue the development of high quality, stimulating and safe play environments for BDCPS. Her role has allowed the society to concentrate on expanding the summer scheme into additional holiday provision and look beyond the holidays to your child’s leisure opportunities as a whole. Lillian Circuit - Administration Assistant
Lillian has worked with people with disabilities for over 20 years. Lillian joined BDCPS as a volunteer and as the projects have grown successfully gained employment as administrative assistant. Lillian also has a child with a disability who participates in the scheme.
Lillian is responsible for all of the administrative support of the activities schemes. Lillian devotes time above and beyond her specified role to devise and implement systems that ensure we have accurate records and systems in place for the safeguarding of your children. Lillian’s invaluable support frees the scheme’s staff time to focus on the ‘hands-on’ work with the children Our Committee
BDCPS is run by a voluntary committee. They are extremely supportive of the development of the activities schemes and undertake whatever tasks they can to ensure the team have the resources they need. Our Staff
We aim to provide a quality training programme for our staff team so they are equipped to care for your child. Our training includes:
- Manual Handling
- Speech and Communication
- Feeding – complex feeding issues and gastrostomy tube
- Child protection
- Disability awareness
- Epilepsy awareness and the administration of emergency medication (only paid staff are trained to administer emergency medication)
- Allergy awareness and administration of an Epi-pen (trained staff only)
- Movement and posture
- Play training
Gateopener Project
If you have Cerebral Palsy or care for someone with Cerebral Palsy getting information and support can often be difficult and time consuming. The Gateopener project's Support and Development Manager provides access to up to date information on both local and national contacts for a wide rage of topics, helping people to gain the information they need.
Support is offered in several ways:
- Regular groups
- Quartely Newsletters
- Campainging
- Facilitating
- Advocacy
- Information Sessions
Indulgence For Carers
This is a parents support group with a difference. It gives parents/carers an opportunity to enjoy the relaxation of a group activity followed by lunch/support group.
Activities offered include beauty therapists, pottery painting, swimming, country walks, visits to stately homes etc. Lunch together provides an ideal opportunity for parents/carers to meet with each other for support. The support and development manager is also on hand to follow up any requests for information and support.
This is hosted on a monthly basis during term times. This is now hoped to extend to a group of male carers.
The pictures below show a recent Indulgence for Carers group visit to Bluebell Wood.
Society Funding & Support Groups
The Bedford & District Cerebral Society has a fund to donate grants to individuals. The committee meet quarterly to consider grants to individuals for things such as special access holidays, specialist equipment that isn't a statutory provision etc. It has also on occasion given grants to groups where the majority who benefit have Cerebral Palsy. There is a small special fund to help parents/carers to take a break.
Application for both funds are considered on a quarterly basis. Application forms and criteria for applying are available on request.
Support Groups
Provides support to help with the setting up and facilitation of support groups including providing a venue, support staff, tea, coffees etc.
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