Office opening times over the Christmas period.
- Friday 22nd December: Normal opening hours
- Saturday 23rd December: Closed
- Sunday 24th December: Closed
- Monday 25th December: Closed (Bank Holiday)
- Tuesday 26th December: Closed (Bank Holiday)
- Wednesday 27th December: Normal opening hours
- Thursday 28th December: Normal opening hours
- Friday 29th December: Normal opening hours
- Saturday 30th December; Closed
- Sunday 31st December: Closed
- Monday 1st January: Closed (Bank Holiday)
- Tuesday 2nd January; onwards: Normal opening hours
Christmas can be a stressful and challenging time, especially when you are caring for someone. We’ve listed useful sources of support during the festive period.
1 in 4 of us experience mental health difficulties and it can be difficult to open up and talk about them. If you are struggling or feel overwhelmed with your mental health, it’s okay to ask for help.
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust have launched an initiative called ‘Bin Feeling Down’, which aims to take some of the most common and difficult issues people face during the festive season and offer support.
Wellbeing for Warwickshire – commissioned by both Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council - is a collection of partners including Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind, KeyRing, Connect Assist, and Kooth PLC, with a key focus on providing support in the community to prevent those who may be struggling to cope from reaching crisis point. If you want to speak to someone in person, the Hubs have opening hours throughout the holidays and are friendly spaces that provide social support in a café environment. Residents can also find their local Safe Haven drop-in centre.
You can also access support online via anonymous counselling, chat, and discussion forums from Kooth (age 16-25) and Qwell (aged 26+). Alternatively, take a look at the self-care Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing (all ages) or free courses from the Recovery and Wellbeing Academy (age 18+).
The Warwickshire Helpline is available 24/7 on 0800 616 171 (or 0300 330 5487 from a mobile) for free, confidential help and emotional support.
If you, or someone you know, are having thoughts of suicide or significant self-harm, help and support is available. Please visit dearlife.org.uk where you will find details on crisis support. Alternatively, telephone the Samaritans on 116 123.
If there is an immediate risk to life, call 999. MIND has some useful tips for coping during the Festive period which you can read here. For urgent mental health crisis support call the Mental Health Access Hub on Freephone 08081 966798.
Loneliness and Isolation can affect anyone at any time in their life. Warwickshire County Council has put some information together and top tips to help you cope with the cold months.
Cost of living help. Help is available if you are struggling to afford food or pay household bills this winter. Information and support is online at warwickshire.gov.uk/costofliving which features links to services to help with budgeting to meet the costs of food and energy. Alternatively, you can call 0800 408 1449.
Warm Hubs have been set up around the County to help keep you warm and safe this winter. This is a link to WRCC Warm Hubs and their list of warm hubs. Warm Welcome is a website that continually updates as new hubs sign up.
Other organisations that can help:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline – contact the 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247
- Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, call their free number from any phone: 116 123
- Childline – If you’re a young carer or a young adult carer and need support outside of office hours, call Childline on 0800 1111
- NHS 111 – If you or the person you care for has a health problem that is less serious, you can call the NHS on 111, free from any phone, or go online.
- Carers UK’s helpline is open Monday to Friday over the Christmas period, including Christmas Eve, Bank Holiday Monday and New Year’s Eve. Get in touch from 9 am-6 pm on 0808 808 7777.
Severn Trent Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a list for customers who need a bit of extra help. Having that list means they can make sure you can access our services and support whenever and
however, you need it. It also helps them prioritise care and assistance during supply interruptions www.stwater.co.uk
UK Power Networks Priority Services Register
By registering you can receive extra support during a power cut if:
- You rely on medical equipment
- You have refrigerated medicines
- You have a serious or chronic illness or a disability
- You or someone you care for is living with dementia
- You are of pensionable age
- You have children under five in your household
- You need extra support for a short time period (e.g. if you are recovering from medical treatment).
- Find out more here or call 0800 316 3105
