14/09/2026
How can your BRCC village Agent help you?
Covering Cardington, Chawston, Cople, Cotton End, Elstow, Great Barford, Little Barford, Roxton, Shortstown, Willington
Below are some of the things Wendy can help you with, however the remit is wide so, all you have to do is
Just Ask!! If I can’t help you I will find someone that can.
Benefits
Are you entitled to Pension Credit? Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. If you are awarded Pension Credit and over 75 you will get a free TV license and Winter Fuel Allowance. If you want to know more about this benefit and if you qualify, please ask your Village Agent.
Attendance Allowance - helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help with your daily tasks and have had the condition for 6 months. This is for anyone over 65 who is having trouble with their day-to-day personal care.
You can receive between £76.70 (lower rate) to £114.60 (higher rate) pw (April 2026/7 rates - this is NOT a means tested benefit so it does not matter how much savings you have)
Blue Badge - Do you need to apply for a blue badge? Your Village Agent can help you do this whether it’s a new application or a renewal. Your Village Agent can do an online application or a paper version.
Radar Key - Do you have or know about Radar Keys? This is a large silver-coloured skeleton key that opens more than 10,000 locked disabled toilets in the UK. The radar key scheme enables disabled toilets to be locked to prevent vandalism and misuse. If you would like a free Radar key, please contact your village agent who has these for FREE.
Rail Travel – Did you know that now Blue Badge holders from 1st
March 2026 can now get a Disabled Person’s Railcard.
Do you want peace of mind that if you have a fall or are unwell you can summons help straight away? Telecare is a service that helps keep you safe at home. It uses sensors and alarms that can call for help 24 hours a day. You can summons help via a Personal alarm that you wear as a pendant, bracelet or keyring all you do is press for support/help. For as little as £4 a week you can have peace of mind. Ask Wendy for more details. Telecare
Carers Allowance – Are you caring for an elderly relative or someone else? You could be entitled to claim Carers Allowance of £86.45 per week if you do not earn any more than £204.00 a week after tax (2026 rates). Ask Wendy for more details Carers Allowance
Citizen Advice - Do you need help/advice from the Citizens Advice about money and welfare benefits? If so, your Village Agent can directly refer you into the service.
HOME LIBRARY SERVICE – Did you know there is a home library service available across Bedford Borough to people of all ages who can’t leave home to visit a library. This could be for long-term health reasons; you are housebound or not able to get out temporarily (e.g. following surgery). Contact you Village Agent for more information as she can refer you directly into the service.
Message in A Bottle & Wallet
Do you know about the Message in a Bottle and Message in a Wallet scheme? The Lions club message in a bottle/wallet is a simple but effective way for people to keep their basic personal and medical details where they can be found in an emergency. The Message in a Bottle/Wallet helps emergency services personnel to save valuable time in identifying an individual very quickly and knowing if they have any allergies/take special medication.
Paramedics, police, fire-fighters support the Lions life-saving initiative and know to look in the fridge when they see a Message in a bottle sticker. The initiative provides peace of mind that medical assistance can be provided, and next of Kin/emergency contacts can be notified.
Your Village Agent can give you a Message in a Bottle or Wallet (to carry around) for FREE.
Transport
Do you struggle to get on a bus? Did you know that Door2Door minibus service will collect you from home and has facilities to take wheelchairs and mobility scooters using a tail lift.
A subscription costs £30 for the first year and £20 annually thereafter (Minimum charge per journey is £5.00)
The minibuses operate between 9:15am to 4:15pm, weekdays only. You need to book your journey two days ahead – or earlier for health-related appointments.
Did you Know that you can sign up for Door2Door without giving up your bus pass?
Ask Wendy for more details.
Security
Contactless Payments
Now that the contactless spend limit has risen to £100, card skimming is expected to increase. Protect your cards with a RFID blocking wallet. Ask your Village Agent for one for FREE
Bobby Van Scheme.
The bobby van scheme offers a free home security service, providing and fitting devices such as new locks, door chains and door viewers, back gate locks, smoke detectors free of charge.
The service is available for people over the age of 65, the vulnerable or those that are disabled. The Bobby Team will attend your home and carry out a survey, identifying any areas which may be vulnerable to crime. Where appropriate, our staff will improve your security with locks, door chains and viewers. Speak to Wendy about this for a referral.
BOBBY VAN SCHEME
Fire Service
Would you like a visit from the Bedfordshire Fire Service who can carry out a home/fire safety check and instal a free smoke alarm. Speak to Wendy about this for a referral
Please call Wendy your Village Agent if you want any information on the above on: -
Freephone 0800 039 1234 or mobile 07717 269 440 or connect via:
