Community Groups

Leighton Buzzard Ramblers

We are proud to be part of The Ramblers Association UK and in LB we have been leading walks since 1985. We cater for all levels of fitness offering walks from 5-10 miles on Sundays and weekends. We are a friendly, welcoming and fun group. Please visit our website lbramblers.co.uk for more information and to see our varied monthly timetable of walks.

Wellbeing Walks/Walking for Health

All walks are led by trained leaders. Our walks are free, sociable and you walk at your own pace.

Walks take place weekly 10:00, always starting from Bell Close Car Park (LB).

There is a choice of walks and lengths:

  • Short 30/40 mins every Wednesday
  • Intermediate 60 mins every Monday
  • Longer max 90 mins every Thursday

If you would like to know more please email:
healthwalksLB@outlook.com or visit the website lbramblers.org.uk.

Leighton Buzzard Voluntary Patient Transport

LBVPT provides voluntary transport for elderly and vulnerable people to and from their outpatient appointments at these local hospitals- Luton & Dunstable, Milton Keynes, Stoke Mandeville, Bedford, Amersham and High Wycombe. The service operates Monday to Saturday and is subject to a volunteer driver being available on the required day.

This service is available if you do not qualify for NHS non-emergency transport, or you are unable to get to your hospital appointments by any other means, such as public transport, friends or family. LBVPT asks for a donation to cover the cost of providing the service. Further information can be found by:

– calling our call handler on 07873 497633. Mon-Fri. 9am-5pm
– sending an email to lbvpt@outlook.com
– looking at the website at www.lbvpt.co.uk

Suggested donations are:

– The L&D and MK Hospitals – £12 return
– Stoke Mandeville – £15 return
– High Wycombe – £30 return
– Amersham – £26 return
– Bedford – £22 return

MK Volunteer Drivers' Service

Private Passenger and Group Registrations are now being taken for the MK Volunteer Drivers’ Service.

If you need help getting to medical appointments, social activities, shopping and errands, then please get in touch to register and book your journey.

They can also work with professionals allied to health, charities and community organisations, to support with your errand and transport needs. Regular and one-off journeys can be covered, as can journeys within Milton Keynes and across the UK.

Transport is provided by DBS checked and trained Volunteer Drivers and costs 50p/mile.

Telephone: 01908 670309

Email: miltonkeynes@volunteeringmatters.org.uk

Leighton Fun Runners (LFR)

Couch to 5k Programmes

Next 9 week programme commences Monday 23rd Sep 2019, at 19:15 at the Clubhouse, Bell Close in Leighton Buzzard (opposite Morrisons).

The cost of the course is £10, some of which is donated to local charities.

Please also see the LFR website.

Website: www.leightonfunrunners.org.uk

Healthwatch

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire is the local consumer champion promoting choice and influencing the provision of high quality health, social care and wellbeing services for all across Central Bedfordshire.

Website: healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk

Leighton Linslade Helping Hands

Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) is looking to work with local residents to set up a Good Neighbour Scheme to help people in the town.
We have already heard from a number of people who are offering their help, but before we can progress things further we need to put a steering group into place to manage ‘Leighton Linslade Helping Hands’.

If you feel you can help with the steering group or if you would like further information please get in touch with Mike Fayers at BRCC on 01234 832619 or by email.

What is a Good Neighbour Scheme?

A Good Neighbour Scheme is a voluntary group run by local residents who recognise the value in having ‘good neighbours’, particularly where public transport and other local services can be limited and where people’s family may not live close by.

How does it work?

Supported throughout by BRCC, the steering group sets up a bank account and manages the scheme.

Each volunteer decides what sort of help they are able to offer, how much and when. They do not undertake jobs best left to qualified professionals but can help with things like occasional lifts, befriending or shopping. All volunteers are fully insured for extra peace of mind.

Anyone who needs a bit of help can ring the group’s phone number. Calls are answered by a volunteer phone-handler, who matches the request for assistance with an available volunteer.