Finding Support During Christmas

For many people, the festive lights going up signals the start of a season of joy and connection.  However, the reality is this time of year can bring feelings of loneliness, anxiety or a host of practical worries.  We understand this well because it is something we hear from our clients every year and we want to make sure you know where to find the help you need over the festive period. 

Disability Assist will be operating with skeleton staff from 22^nd December to give our team a well-earned break. We will be closed during the bank holidays on 25^th and 26^th December and 1^st January. You can contact us using all of our usual methods i.e. telephone, email, and website, over the festive period but please be aware that it may take longer than usual to receive a response from us.  We will be back to normal operation from 5^th January. 

To make sure that you can get the support you need over the Christmas period, we have compiled a list of support services that you can access, either locally in Kent or that work nationwide.  You will find the list in two parts, depending on whether you need immediate support that you can access at any hour or if you want services that you can link into whenever you are ready. 

24/7 Support

• Release the Pressure Helpline – open 24 hours every day, for anyone aged 16+ in Kent and Medway who is feeling low or distressed. Call 0800 107 0160 or text the word KENT to 85258 https://www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/services/advice-and-helplines/release-the-pressure-helpline-kent/

• Samaritans – free to call 116 123, available any time for someone to talk to, no matter how big or small the worry feels. Or you can send an email to jo@samaritans.org. www.samaritans.org 

• Crisis Mental Health Line – If you’re in a mental health crisis, call 111 and select the mental-health option (Kent & Medway) kmpt.nhs.uk

• Safe Havens – out of hours support for adults in crisis or heading towards a crisis.  No appointment needed and there are ten safe havens across Kent and Medway https://www.kmhealthandcare.uk/safe-havens

• Emergency Services - if you or someone you know are in a life-threatening situation, please dial 999 as soon as you can.

Ongoing Support

Wellbeing and Mental Health

• Live Well Kent & Medway – free network for adults 17+ offering self-referral to help with stress, housing, work, loneliness https://livewellkent.org.uk/

• Porchlight – although known for housing support, they also offer mental-health and wellbeing services to adults across Kent. Free helpline 0800 567 7699 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) https://www.porchlight.org.uk/information-support/list-of-support-services

Essentials

• Kent Support & Assistance Service (KSAS) – for crisis help with food, heating or essential household items https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/urgent-financial-help-and-extra-support

• Local Food Banks (via Trussell Trust) – for emergency food parcels right across Kent and Medway. Kent - https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/urgent-financial-help-and-extra-support/food-or-energy-in-a-crisis/find-a-food-bank

  Medway - https://medway.foodbank.org.uk/

Housing

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  Shelter – free advice line 0808 800 4444 for housing rights and crisis refuge https://www.shelter.org.uk/

• Porchlight – 24/7 helpline for those at risk of homelessness.

Loneliness and Connecting

• The Silver Line – free helpline for older people (over 55) who are feeling isolated. This is available 24/7 - 0800 470 8090 https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/

• Local Community Groups – many neighbourhoods in Kent and Medway run festive lunch clubs, drop-ins and companion schemes. Contact your district council or local church for events that might be on in your area.

• Warm Welcome Spaces – local community venues which are welcoming and inclusive for everyone to connect with others.  You can find a space local to you https://www.warmwelcome.uk/

The festive season should not be about “getting through it” alone.  No matter whether you are worried about something specific or just need someone to talk to, help is available both locally and on a national level.  Please keep this page handy, share it with someone else who you think might benefit, and know that support is just a phone call or message away.

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