Advice and support over the holidays.
Food Support
A food support leaflet for Christmas and New Year has been produced by North Yorkshire Council listing some of the community food providers, who may also sign post to further assistance.
Many local charities and volunteer led groups are taking a well-earned break over the holiday period. Please note that in order for people to receive food before Christmas there are cut off dates and these are relevant to donations too so that anything received can be given out in advance of the holiday period. Please check the leaflet for details.
Christmas Day Lunch
As well as the Christmas Day lunch at St Peters in Harrogate included in the leaflet above, there is also free lunch available in Knaresborough for anyone in need (updates on the Facebook page)
Services available over the holidays
The Silver Line - 0800 4 70 80 90 - is a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including over the festive period.
Just B ‘Hear to HELP’ Support Line - Just B offers emotional wellbeing support to children, young people and adults in the Harrogate District who may be feeling anxious, low in mood, grieving or lonely. Call 01423 856799 8am - 8pm every day.
Age UK's advice line is a free, confidential national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals.
Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.
Samaritans - The Samaritans want people to know that confidential support is available 24/7, and they are there for everyone this Christmas.
In a mental health emergency, call 0800 0516 171
The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for adults over 18 living in County Durham, Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York. More information at https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/services/crisis-advice/
Information about children’s crisis services is here.
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
IDAS ( domestic abuse) helpline is open 7 days a week - for North Yorkshire call 03000 110 110
Live chat is available on the IDAS website 1pm – 4pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays
The National 24 hours helpline is 0808 2000 247
Citizens Advice North Yorkshire are closed from Monday 25th December and open again on Wednesday 3rd January. If your query is urgent, there is a limited service available on 27th – 29th December and 2nd January on the freephone Adviceline 0808 278 7900. Online advice on many issues including benefits, work, debt and money is available 24/7 at citizensadvice.org.uk
Community Support
Local support services and online activities are listed in our searchable HADCA Where To Turn Community Information Directory for Harrogate district but many local charities and volunteers will be taking some time off over the Christmas and New Year period (our HADCA offices are closed from 12noon on 22 December to 9am on 2 Janurary 2024).
Mind in Harrogate District are open as normal apart from 25 & 26th December and 1st January.
North Yorkshire Council Christmas and New Year opening times
Including The Customer Service Centre, household waste, recycling and libraries.
Advice for Winter Wellness
Local charity North Yorkshire Horizons have put together some tips for boosting your health and happiness throughout the winter months. It’s important to remember you are not alone. Many people experience low mood and other challenges at this time of year.
Please also see our Cost of Living Support and Warm Spaces pages.
12 December 2023
