We are gathering the holiday opening times of local services you rely on, as well as alternatives that can help until the world resumes on January the 2nd. Planning ahead can make a big difference, for example, Foodbanks often provide extra groceries in advance to cover the week they are closed. This guide will continue to be updated as more local services and projects share their Christmas plans.
If you are in dire need over the Christmas week, North Tyneside Council are the people to contact for money, food, homelessness or major house repairs.Adult and Children’s Social Care services are usually closed on Christmas Day (Wed 25th), Boxing Day (Thurs 26th) and New Year’s Day (Thurs 1st Jan). If you need urgent help on the big public holidays or after 5.00 pm or at the weekend, from Gateway, the Welfare Assistance Team or the Crisis Team, call the Out-of-Hours-Team on 03303337475..
Money and Emergencies over Christmas
If you are in crisis and have no food or utilities, please contact the Welfare Team on 0191 643 2777 and select option 2.
On Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Tear’s Day, or after 5.00 pm or at the weekend call the Out-of-Hours-Team for help:
Help through Hardship are a partnership between the Trssell Trust and the Citizens Advice Bureau. They can help with money or food crises and arrange food parcels or energy vouchers. They
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Closed on the Christmas public holidays.
Call their free, confidential helpline on 0808 208 2138 to speak to a friendly adviser.
111
This NHS service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including the whole Christmas period.An all-round NHS telephone and online service to assess and direct people to the most appropriate lo-cal service, including urgent treat-ment centres, GP practices, and consultations with a pharmacist. And, if needed, it can arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or para-medic.
Ring 111 or go online: https://111.nhs.uk/
For people experiencing a mental health crisis and their carers. This service is usually available through the whole Christmas peiod and you can self-refer.
The team operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
The NHS Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team offers as-sessment and home treatment for people over 16 experiencing a men-tal health crisis, as an alternative to hospital admission. However, the crisis team does not provide an ’emergency’ service such as a 999 response.
People experiencing a mental health crisis and Carers can call: 0800 652 2861 or 0303 123 1146
Food and Heating
If you are accessing The Bay Foodbank for the first time you will need a referral from either Citizens Advice (0808 278 7822) or
North Tyneside Council on 0191 643 2777 (then option 2).
From Friday 20th December to Thursday 2nd January contact the Council Welfare Team (Office hour) 0191 643 2777 or Out of Hours 0330 333 7475.
North Tyneside Council – 0191 643 2777 (then option 2)
The Bay Foodbank provides food parcels.
The Bay Foodbank, Meadow Well Way, North Shields, NE29 6BA