COVID-19
Community Action: Bedfordshire is the accredited Volunteer Centre for Central Bedfordshire and Luton. We are currently working in partnership with local authorities and Voluntary and Community Sector organisations in Bedfordshire and Luton to help coordinate the COVID-19 response.
Local Authority coronavirus information
If you need support, including urgent support, please contact your Local Authority.
COVID-19 community support
Below are links to community organisations across Bedfordshire that are accepting requests for support due to Coronavirus.
This information is updated daily and is compiled in partnership by Community Action: Bedfordshire, CVS Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity and Healthwatch Luton, working with the local authorities and the clinical commissioning group across Bedfordshire and Luton. (please refresh your browser when you reach the links below to ensure you have the latest version of the documents)
Where an organisation is listed as offering “mutual aid”, it refers to help with shopping, collecting medication, phone calls and online support.
For any enquiries or additions to the lists please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or CVS Bedfordshire
Interested in volunteering?
We have an online volunteering platform called Volunteer Connect where you can register, search and apply for volunteering opportunities in Central Bedfordshire and Luton.
Search and Apply for Volunteer Roles
Register or Login as a Volunteer
When you register on Volunteer Connect, opt-in to the Volunteer Bank to receive monthly e-newsletters that include local volunteering opportunities.
If you would like to discuss your volunteering journey with one of our Volunteering Advisers, or if you would like any support registering on Volunteer Connect please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We are working closely with Volunteer-involving Organisations to identify current volunteering opportunities. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, we know that many organisations have adapted their services to comply with Government guidelines. Therefore, please be aware that organisations may take longer to respond and volunteer opportunities are being updated and amended on an ongoing basis. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Looking for volunteers?
Please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are looking for volunteers in Bedfordshire, with details of your volunteering opportunities. We can then promote these for you and signpost those who have registered an interest in volunteering.
For advice on any aspect of volunteer management and to sign up to our newsletter, please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Click here to view recent volunteer management newsletters.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for volunteering updates.
Volunteer Management Resources
- COVID-19 Volunteer Role Description Key Points
- COVID-19 Volunteer Role Description Template
- Safeguarding Guidance for Volunteers in Central Bedfordshire
- Safeguarding Adults for Coronavirus Volunteers
- Volunteering Matters - Volunteer Best Practice: Easing Lockdown
Reports and Research
- The Kruger Report - September 2020
- Communities vs. Coronavirus: The Rise of Mutual Aid - July 2020
- We were built for this - June 2020
- The Moment we noticed - 2020
- Volunteering: a family affair? September 2020
- Beyond us and them: Perception of Covid-19 and Social Cohesion - July 2020
- Local Trust Research on Volunteering and Communities - 2020
- VSVR Online Conference - 2020
Support Services
- BLEVIC COVID-19 Volunteer Peer Support Service
- BLMK - Supporting mental wellbeing resources and apps
- Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Board - Free safeguarding eLearning
- Coronavirus - Looking after your mental health (Central Bedfordshire)
- Coronavirus - Looking after your mental health (Luton)
- The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport COVID-19 vaccine comms pack
- NHS Health and Support in Central Bedfordshire
- Our Frontline