What support is available in North East Lincolnshire over the Christmas holidays?

Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year, but for some, Christmas can be a very lonely period.

Support is out there for those that need it, covering everything from homelessness to financial problems and mental health.

North East Lincolnshire Council have worked with partners to create a network of Warm Spaces where local residents can come together to stay warm and enjoy some light refreshments. For the full list of Warm Spaces visit Warm Spaces - Connect NEL

Worrying about putting food on the table can also be a massive strain on some. There are food banks through North East Lincolnshire providing free food parcels to those who need them. More information can be found Simply Connect North East Lincs - *Find help with food provision* 

It is easy to go into debt buying presents at Christmas time or simply worry about what money you have to spend. There is plenty of support around North East Lincolnshire with help available from Citizens Advice, Centre4, Age UK, and the debt respite scheme. Details can be found at Financial support, advice and guidance | NELC

It’s equally as important not to forget about your physical health and the effects the pressure of Christmas can have on it. If you need help looking after your physical health, the North East Lincolnshire Single Point of Access (SPA) includes all this as well as safeguarding adults. The SPA can be accessed by ringing 01472 256 256 and is open 24/7 including bank holidays.

With the stress of Christmas building up, it’s easy for your mental health to deteriorate. Navigo have 24 hour support at the end of the phone by ringing 01472 256 256 (option 3). They also operate an out-of-hours, open door crisis café to get instant and practical mental health support. For young people that need support with their mental health they can find help at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Young Minds Matter) :: Navigo

If somebody in your life sadly passes away during the festive period and you need bereavement support you can find help at Support through bereavement | NELC.

Support with addiction can be found year-round, delivered by With You. They support anyone in North East Lincolnshire aged 18 and over who are experiencing challenges with drugs or alcohol. You can also find support if you’re worried about someone you know. With You is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, you can ring them on 01472 806890.

Over the winter months, the temperature often drops below 0 degrees. If this happens for three days in a row, the Council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) comes into action. This means that people who are rough sleeping in our area are offered a bed to sleep in while the temperature remains low. Not everyone accepts the offer of help, but it is offered to every rough sleeper that is known to services.

To help the council support all rough sleepers over the winter months it is important that they know about them, by making an alert on StreetLink - Connecting people sleeping rough to local services when you see someone sleeping rough, the council are able to support as many people as possible.

If you or someone you know is homeless or at risk of losing their home please contact the North East Lincolnshire Council Home Options Team on 01472 326296 (option 1) or by visiting Homelessness prevention, housing related support and housing advice | NELC

The New Domestic Abuse Services Hub is run by support workers from Women’s Aid and can provide advice and support to anyone across North East Lincolnshire who is experiencing domestic abuse. It will be open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, other than Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

If you need support for domestic abuse during the Christmas time, call the Domestic Abuse Services hotline is open 24/7 and can be contacted on 01472 575757.