Ways to get support over the festive period

19th
Dec
Ways to get support over the festive period

December 19, 2023

Christmas means lots of bank holidays which means different opening times for things. But there’s still support available.

Most of our in person advice sessions will not operate over the festive period.

Barnard Castle – 20th December to 3rd January  

Bishop Auckland – 22nd December to 2nd January  

Chester Le Street –18th December to 8th January  

Crook – 19th December to 2nd January  

Durham – 22nd December to 2nd January  

Newton Aycliffe – 18th December to 8th January 

Peterlee – East Durham Trust – 12th December to 2nd January  

Peterlee – Pavilion – 11th December to 8th January  

Shildon – 14th December to 11th January  

Spennymoor – 21st December to 4th January  

Seaham – 21st December to 4th January 

Stanley – 22nd December to 5th January 

Trimdon – 6th December to 17th January  

Willington – 12th December to 9th January  

Wingate – 12th December to 9th January  

UTASS – 18th December to 8th January 

 

Getting in touch with Citizens Advice 

Our services are closed on weekends and bank holidays and our Help to Claim service has different opening times over Christmas. If you need advice, check before you call.

For general advice call; 0800 144 8848  

For debt advice call; 0800 240 4420 

For goods and services purchased including energy advice call; 0808 233 1133 

22nd December: 9am to 5pm

23rd December – Closed

Christmas Eve: Closed

Christmas Day: Closed

Boxing Day: Closed

27th December: 9am to 5pm

28th December: 9am to 5pm

29th December: 9am to 5pm

30th December: Closed

New Year’s Eve: Closed

New Year’s Day: Closed

 

For help applying for your first Universal Credit claim call: 0800 144 8444

Access information 24 hours a day though our website

citizensadvice.org.uk

If you’re a victim of domestic violence

The National Domestic Abuse helpline is open 24 hours a day and can be contacted on 0808 2000 247. If you’re in an emergency situation you should call 999.

If you or someone you know needs emergency housing

If you’re worried about someone you’ve seen sleeping rough, you can connect them with local services that can support them through StreetLink. If you’re at risk of sleeping rough, you could get a place to stay in a hostel, night shelter, refuge or bed and breakfast if you’re homeless.

You can also get help from Shelter if you’re worried about housing.

If you or someone you know are finding things tough

This time of year can be hard. But there’s support available if you need it.

The Samaritans is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be contacted on 116 123 or by email.

Switchboard is a helpline for LGBT+ people and is open 10am until 10pm everyday. You can call them on 0800 0119 100 or use their online chat.

Shout 85258 is a 24 hours a day text service which offers mental health support. You can contact them by texting SHOUT to 85258.

Other useful numbers

You might also find the following contact numbers useful.

The Silver Line — a helpline for older people ran by Age UK.

  • Call 0800 4 70 80 90
  • Open 24 hours a day

NSPCC Helpline — if you’re worried about a child.

  • Call 0808 800 5000
  • Open Mon — Fri 10am to 8pm

Power cut 105 — if you have a power cut

  • Call 105
  • Open 24 hours a day

National Gambling Helpline

  • Call 0808 8020 133
  • Open 24 hours a day

 

We would like to wish staff, volunteers and clients, past and present, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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