Festive Tips and various Service Helplines

The holiday festive season is soon approaching, I’m sure you’ve got your eye on the dates. This year has been a hard year for some and the once so joyous holidays may seem a bit bleak and anxiety inducing. The following contains various websites and phone numbers split into different categories.

So what can you do if you find you are struggling over the next few weeks and as we head into the new year?

The main thing you can do is to reach out. There is no shame in not being ok, and pretending all the time can be exhausting. I understand how you may not want your family and friends to see or that they maybe part of the stress. However there are other people you can contact who can support  you.

Below are contact numbers spit into different categories to help you find the best suited ones.

Financial worries

• The Trussell Trust : www.trusselltrust.org or free helping on 0808 2082138 (Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on public holidays.)
• Christians against poverty: capuk.org or free helpline  0800 328 0006
• Money Wellness: www.moneywellness.com/debt-advice  or  01615188282
• Debt Advice Foundation: www.debtadvicefoundation.org or 0800 622 61 51
• National Debtline : www.nationaldebtline.org or 0808 808 4000
• StepChange Debt Charity: www.stepchange.org.uk or 0800 138 1111

Grief

• Cruse bereavement: www.cruse.org.uk or 08088081677
• Marie Curies Bereavement Support Service: www.mariecurie.org.uk or 08000902309
• Ataloss: online chat at www.ataloss.org/live-chat

Emotional support

• Samaritans: www.samaritans.org or 116 123
• SHOUT (text only): text SHOUT to 85258
• Mind: mind.org.uk or 0300 123 3393
• CALM: www.thecalmzone.net or 0800585858

Addiction

• FRANK: www.talktofrank.com or 0300123 6600
• Alcoholic Change UK: alcoholchange.org.uk
• Cocaine Anonymous UK: cauk.org.uk or 0800612 0225

Young people

• Childline: www.childline.org.uk or  0800 1111
• For young people feeling suicidal: www.papyrus-uk.org or 08000 684141 or 07860039967
• Youngminds: www.youngminds.org.uk
• SHOUT (text only): text SHOUT to 85258
• The mix: www.themix.org.uk or 0808 808 4994  
• For bereaved young people: www.winstonswish.org or 08088 0202

Feeling isolated/alone

• The Silver Line: www.thesilverline.org.uk or 08004708090
• Better together: www.bettertogethernorfolk.org.uk or 03003033920

For Carers

• Carers UK: www.carersuk.org or 0808 808 7777
• Carers first: https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/
• Caring Together Charity: https://www.caringtogether.org/ or 03452410954

LGBTQIA+

• Empty closets: www.emptyclosets.com
• LGBT Foundation: www.lgbt.foundation or 0345 3303030
• Mermaids: mermaidsuk.org.uk or 08088010400
• Stonewall: stonewall.org.uk or 08000 502020

Should you require additional guidance or wish to delve deeper into discussions, please feel free to reach out to me