Help is never far away for anyone struggling this Christmas. Organisations across Dorset are there to offer support, and friendly advisers are at the end of the phone and ready to talk.
Looking after yourself
Feeling stressed, worried or low is normal. If you need help, support is available over Christmas and the New Year.
Connection offers a free 24/7 mental health helpline and is open Christmas and New Year. Call 111 and select ‘mental health’ or phone 0300 123 5440. See further services at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/access-mental-health.
Mind has a team of specialist advisers waiting to be contacted on 0300 123 3393 (local rate from landline, cost of mobile calls may vary). Contact by at info@mind.org.uk, or by text on 86463. They are open 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
A short audio message from Cllr Graham Carr-Jones:
Samaritans have a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s free to phone on 116 123. They help with lots of things, big and small, including relationship and family problems, bereavement, financial worries, stress, loneliness and isolation, depression, painful and/or disabling physical illness, and thoughts of suicide.
If you prefer to write down your feelings, you can send an email to jo@samaritans.org (response within 24 hours) or write a letter to Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING FK8 2SA. Please allow at least 7 days for a reply to be sent to you.
Relationships and domestic abuse
The Samaritans and You First have specialist advisers waiting at the end of the phone. They provide confidential help and support for men and women. Their contact details are:
Samaritans – Call Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
You First – Call free on 0800 032 5204 or visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dvahelp. Their advisers provide advice in confidence about domestic abuse. In an emergency, always call 999.
Support for adults
Anyone staying at home because of COVID-19 without the support of family, friends or neighbours can request help from the Dorset Together team. Support includes food shopping and delivery, collection of prescriptions, dog walking and befriending.
During office hours, help can be accessed via our online form at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/coronavirus or by calling the Dorset Together helpline on 01305 221000 (local call charges apply). Outside normal working hours, and over the Christmas period, callers will be transferred to the support they need.
If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult who may be at risk, call 01305 221016 during office hours or 01305 858250 out of hours. Call 999 if you think someone may be at immediate risk of harm.
The Age UK Advice Line is open 8am to 7pm, 365 days a year. It is a free, confidential, national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals. From a broken boiler, loneliness, scams and fraud advice, to keeping well and friendships, call free on 0800 678 1602 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk
A range of local support services can also be found on the Help and Kindness website. This includes befriending, food banks, hot meals and festive phone calls. See all the support available at www.helpandkindness.co.uk
Support for children
If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, please call the council’s Children’s Advice and Duty Service on 01305 228866. Call 999 if you think someone may be at immediate risk of harm.
Access to food
Free school meals – Dorset Council is working with schools to make sure families who need it (including those who receive free school meals) can receive food vouchers during the holidays. Families have been given details of the voucher scheme direct from their school. See further details about support for families this winter here.
The council is also working closely with local support groups and charities to help provide communities with support. This includes foodbanks, community fridges, community meals and social supermarkets. To access support, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ReachingOut and click on ‘Access to Food’.
Money
If you’re struggling to pay bills or are worried about money it’s important to get help straight away. Over the Christmas and New Year period, support is available from the Samaritans and Age UK.
Before 24 December and after 4 January, advisers from Dorset Citizens Advice can talk through the options available for managing debt and unpaid bills. Call the Dorset Adviceline on Freephone 0800 144 8848.
Housing
Dorset Council operates a homelessness emergency out of hours service every day including Bank Holidays. Telephone 01305 221000.
If concerned about someone who is rough sleeping contact Streetlink on 0300 500 0914. If the person you are concerned about is under 18, or if they appear to be in immediate danger, you should call 999.
For further support or guidance, contact Shelter on 0344 515 1400 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or visit www.england.shelter.org.uk/get_help.
General Advice and support
Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, said: “Christmas is a challenging time for many of us, even during the best of years, and we want to remind residents they are not alone.
“This has been a difficult year for so many, but if you need support in any way, whether it’s a chat or some practical help, or you don’t feel safe, pick up the phone, send an email or even write a letter.
“If you are struggling this season, please reach out. Remember you are not alone.”
Visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for all Dorset Council services, including opening times and bin collections over the Christmas period. Call the council on 01305 221000 (an out of hours answering service will operate during the holiday period).
You may also wish to contact Citizens Advice outside of the Christmas period. They provide free, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, debt and money, relationships, employment, housing, consumer and immigration. To speak to an adviser, call the Dorset Adviceline on Freephone 0800 144 8848. Alternatively, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
Citizens Advice Dorset will be closed from 24 December, reopening on 4 January. During this period, the Dorset Adviceline will have an automated answering service with an option to leave a message. They will endeavour to return all messages on 4 January.
COVID-19 symptoms
If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 over the festive period (a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change of taste or smell) you must stay at home and book a test at gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. Your household, and Christmas bubble if you’ve formed one, must self-isolate with you until you get a result.
