Support over Christmas
Action for Carers office and Helpline closes at 1pm Tuesday 24th December.
We reopen on Thursday 2nd January 2025, with our Hubs and events restarting from the week commencing Monday 6th January.
If you need support during this time, Surrey’s official information website, Connect to Surrey has a section called ‘Essential Services over the Festive Period’:
SCC’s Essential Services over the Festive Period
Here are further links for help over the break:
GPs, pharmacies and health matters
For GP information, including emergency numbers:
Pharmacists are trained experts and can help with many common problems. This link has the holiday opening times for Surrey Pharmacies.
If you’re not sure which service you need, or need urgent advice in the evening, weekends, see www.111.nhs.uk or call 111.
In a medical emergency always call 999 or go to the Emergency Department.
Mental health and wellbeing crisis
For details on Surrey’s Crisis Mental Health Helpline, Safe Havens (all of which are open over the break), and other financial, welfare and wellbeing support:
Mental Health and wellbeing crisis
Samaritans
You can also call The Samaritans at any time on 116 123 – calls are free 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
The Mix
Provides essential support for under 25s, including help in a crisis. More here.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie’s free support line is open, with extended hours, over the festive period, including on Christmas, Boxing and New Years days. The number is 0800 090 2309, and it’s for anyone dealing with grief, bereavement, or caring for someone who is terminally ill, or if you are terminally ill yourself.
Concerns about abuse, neglect or domestic violence
Find out how to report any safeguarding concerns for a child or adult, including domestic abuse help:
Concerns about abuse or neglect
Support for those affected by a parent’s drinking
Charity Nacoa provide information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking. More here.
Warm Hubs
Surrey’s ‘Warm Hubs’ have some opening during the holidays.
These Hubs are community venues like libraries, where you can go to warm up, and enjoy a hot drink, as well as get energy advice and more. You can search by location here, and you’ll find details of opening times over Christmas.
Food help
The Trussell Trust has information on Food Bank support over Christmas – more here.
Money Saving Central have a guide to restaurants, cafes and pubs that are offering ‘Kids Eat Free (or £1)’ during the Christmas holidays – more here.