There is a vast range of support in many forms provided for residents of Buckinghamshire by the NHS, Buckinghamshire Council and a large number of charities.

Most of these services are free, some ask for a contribution, some are means tested, and some charge a fee.

Please review the content, as there is a wealth of support for patients and their carers available across Buckinghamshire...

Buckinghamshire Care Services directory 2023/24 (search services using your postcode)

https://www.carechoices.co.uk 

Prevention Matters

https://www.connectionsupport.org.uk/buckinghamshire/projects/prevention-matters/

Buckinghamshire Council - A guide to support, services and direct payments

www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk

https://careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/identifying-your-care-and-support-needs/assessments-what-help-do-you-need/     

https://careadvicebuckinghamshire.org/identifying-your-care-and-support-needs/carers-assessments/

The Autism Toolbox - brings together advice, local support, services, activities and resources relating to autism.

www.bucksfamilyinfo.org/autismtoolbox

Healthy Living for people with type 2 diabetes is a free, web-based structured education programme, evidence based and accredited by QISMIT and ORCHA.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://youtu.be/mQMpQWVLyfo

If you wish to enrol in this education programme, visit: https://www.healthyliving.nhs.uk/ 

It is suitable for patients, along with their families and carers who wish to support them, it is free to join.

Headway is a charitable organisation based in Buckinghamshire that supports patients and their family/carers to improve life after brain injury.

They run a day centre in Bourne End, South Bucks for people with Acquired Brain Injury to attend.

To find out more about Headway click on the link: https://www.headway.org.uk/

From their home page you can also sign up to their mailing list.

You can also apply for a Brain Injury Identity Card, more information about the Brain Injury ID Card is on You Tube: https://youtu.be/Hb3dnlE0cYI

The oasis partnership is a charity providing high quality social and psychological support services to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

They provide support to people from 18 years to 118 years, and offer a range of services to benefit the wider communities of Buckinghamshire,

They have 3 bases across Buckinghamshire – Chesham – High Wycombe – Aylesbury. Nearly all their services are free, with just a few making a small charge.

To find out more, please visit their website by clicking on this link - https://oasispartnership.org/ 

You do not need to see a GP to enrol in any of their schemes; you can self-refer by completing a form on the ‘Contact Us’ tab.

More information can be found on their website: www.sbh.org.uk   

Research suggests that people with obesity tended to suffer a more severe reaction to COVID-19. Here is an update on the weight management services in Buckinghamshire:

Tier 1 and Tier 2 Weight Management

Live Well Stay Well are the single point of access for any patients who would like to live a heathier lifestyle.  They will support patients through a lifestyle assessment and support them with their choices to change their behaviours.  They share useful online resources, information and advice to help patients to reach their healthy eating and activity goals.  Support includes free access to Slimming World and the Live Well Stay Well weight management programme (subject to eligibility).  All patients will be offered the appropriate level of support. Patients can self-referral at the website or by phoning: 01628 857 311

Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management- Weigh Forward Bucks ​(WFB)

This service is for patients who have tried a tier 2 programme such as Live Well Stay Well and need more intensive, specialist support.  WFB  is delivered by a team of specialist Dietitians, Psychologists and a Physiotherapist. These year-long groups run with an accepting and non-judgemental approach, to help each individual find the best means of weight loss for them.  

The WFB service rose to the challenge of working remotely during the pandemic and by the end of April 2020 they are running all sessions via MS Teams. Feedback about the service is overwhelmingly positive. Recently they were described on evaluation as ‘a first class service’ with ‘all the staff being kind, considerate and helpful. Being positive and non-judgmental at all sessions’.  The service is now open to people over 18 with a BMI of >30 and co-morbidities (over 28 in Asian adults) or over 40 with or without co-morbidities (over 38 in Asian adults). Patients cannot self-refer to WFB, so please contact your GP surgery to arrange referral, subject to meet the referral criteria.

Tier 4 Weight Management – Complex and Specialised Obesity Surgery 

To access tier 4 bariatric surgery all patients must have completed a 12 month tier 3 programme such as that offered by Weigh Forward Bucks and then apply via their GP surgery for an Individual Funding request (IFR).

A tier 4 service is not yet available but is planned at BHT, our closet closest centres are Luton and Dunstable, Royal Berkshire and Oxford .

Eligbility criteria includes adults with BMI ≥40 or between 35 and 40 with presence of other significant diseases. .For patients with a BMI ≥50 patients can be fast tracked  and apply for IFR at a specialist centre where a 6 month tier 3 programme is included in the stabilisation and assessment period prior to bariatric surgery.

Find out more and access resources for World Obesity Day here

Simply Walk

Simply Walk is part of a countywide programme of free, volunteer - led walks, which aims to help people get outdoors and be more active. We organise over 75 led walks to suit most abilities.The walks are all sociable and you don't need any special equipment to join in, just comfortable shoes.

The programme runs year round and offers a choice of different walk grades, ranging from 30-90 minutes, start points and times, including weekdays and weekends.

For more information go to - www.buckscc.gov.uk/simplywalk

We meet outside the library in Cokes Lane each Monday at 10.15am for 10.30 start.

Active Bucks (search services using your postcode) 

For more information click on the link - http://activebucks.co.uk/

Lindengate – working with nature 

Lindengate Mental Health Charity is located at a stunning five-acre site in Buckinghamshire, where nature breathes new life into anyone who is struggling with their wellbeing. The garden lends itself to supporting people in recovering from a range of common mental health needs. The natural beauty and richness of the site help to restore and heal, whilst specialised gardening, conservation, construction, cooking, and nature based art and crafts activities provide focus and purpose. 

For more information - www.lindengate.org.uk

Live Well Stay Well - lifestyle services free of charge

A free service which offers advice and support for those wishing to lose weight, quit smoking, get more active, feel happier or manage their diabetes- even throughout lockdown! All services are currently offered safely via remote interventions (either on the phone or online). The service is available to patients living in Buckinghamshire or registered with a Bucks GP.

Self refer on www.livewellstaywellbucks.co.uk 

Or telehpne: 01628 857311

Text 'QUIT' to 85222 to Stop Smoking'

Films shown at the Little Chalfont library

Good Companions meet at Little Chalfont Village Hall (next to the library) alternate Thursday afternoons.

Women’s Institute meet afternoons/evenings on the second Tuesday in each month.

Amersham National Trust provides newsletters and organises outings   https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/the-amersham-centre

Chiltern and District Hard of Hearing Club - Meets every 2nd Tuesday at Halifax House. Tel: 01494 773359

University of the Third Age (U3A) - Classes in different subjects, outings   https://www.chiltern-u3a.org.uk/

Silverline confidential telephone line - Provides information and advice to older people.   Tel: 0800 4 70 80 90

St George’s Church, White Lion Road. Every Thursday Holy Communion followed by a light lunch. £2.50 includes coffee and a sweet treat. www.cheniesbenefice.org/home/EVENTS

Little Chalfont Methodist Church, Chalfont Avenue - Lunch club second Friday of every month 12.45pm for 1.00pm. £5 for a two course lunch with coffee/tea and chocolates. Booking through church office 01494 766067, Gill McAllister 01923 282258 or Ann Aylesbury 01494 763772.

www.littlechalfontmethodistchurch.co.uk/

There is more information available at the Little Chalfont Community Library, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont HP7 9QA, including reading groups and computer classes. Tel: 01494 764602

www.littlechalfontlibrary.org.uk/

Chiltern and South Bucks Dial-a-ride 

A non-profit making charity providing door to door social transport for those who are unable to use public transport.

A number of older and disabled Buckinghamshire bus passes have expired during the last year but haven’t been renewed, as the holders haven’t been travelling.

As such, we’re encouraging pass holders to check their expiry date (displayed on the front of their pass) and renew before travelling again.

The easiest way to renew an Older Person pass is via the online portal at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/public-transport or telephone - 01296 873 011.

If their pass expired more than 180 days ago or they have moved home, then they will need to contact the bus pass team at buspasses@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or telephone - 01296 674747. 

Disabled pass holders will need to contact the bus pass team to renew theirs at buspasses@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or telephone - 01296 674747. 

Buckinghamshire Age UK

www.ageukbucks.org.uk   Tel: 01296 431911

Carers Bucks - Support for carers

www.carersbucks.org/   Tel: 0300 777 2722

www.alzheimers.org.uk 

Dementia Connect Support Line Tel: 0333 150 3456

The need for photo ID is growing in everyday life, the latest being the need to have photo ID when you vote in both local and general elections.

If you do not have ID, Buckinghamshire council is now offering a free service to provide a 'Voter Authority Certificate', to use when voting, but this will also be regarded as acceptable photo ID for a wide range of purpose.

To apply online: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

OR For more information visit: elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or phone 01296 798141.