Christmas Day Support Available for Carers
Christmas can be a joyous time of year, but the festive season also brings challenges.
Mental, physical, and emotional strain can all impact our health and wellbeing, and Carers can be particularly vulnerable to this.
It’s why, more than ever, it is important to look after your own wellbeing, as well as those who you may Care for.
We have plenty of activities running over the Christmas period, and we’ll be regularly posting these on our social media platforms, websites, and calendars, so make sure to check those out.
Over Christmas, our contact team’s regular hours will be impacted. The times and dates are below:
- 22nd December: 9am – 5pm
- 23rd December: 9am – 5pm
- 24th December: 9am – 2pm
- 25th December: CLOSED
- 26th December: CLOSED
- 27th December: 9am – 5pm
- 28th December: 9am – 5pm
- 29th December: 9am – 5pm
- 30th December: 9am – 5pm
- 31st December: 9am – 5pm
- 1st January: CLOSED
- 2nd January: 9am – 5pm
For this reason, you may want to know what other support is available to you, particularly on Christmas Day itself.
We have compiled a list of some of the helplines and community spaces which will be open to you over Christmas, so you don’t have to face the challenges of caring alone.
NHS Mental Health Crisis: Call 111 all day on Christmas Day
The NHS Mental Health Crisis Line is a free, confidential, 24/7 urgent mental health support line which is open all day on Christmas. You can contact the service if you or someone you Care for is feeling overwhelmed, distressed, anxious, at risk of burnout, or worried about their own safety or mental wellbeing, without needing any prior referral.
Samaritans Mental Health Line: Call 116 123 all day on Christmas Day
Samaritans offers free, confidential, 24/7 emotional support to anyone in the UK, including unpaid Carers, throughout the Christmas period. Trained volunteers provide a safe, non-judgemental space to talk, helping you feel heard and supported during times of emotional strain, isolation, or exhaustion.
Shout Text Support: Text SHOUT to 85258 all day on Christmas Day
Shout’s text service means you can message SHOUT at any time and chat with an expert in mental health support. If you or someone you know is feeling anxious, isolated, or worried about anything related to your mental health this festive season, this is a great place to get quick support.
Papyrus Under-35’s Support Line: Call 0800 068 4141 all day on Christmas Day
Papyrus’s dedicated line for under-35’s is there for any young carers or adults to speak with a trained professional about any potentially negative mental thoughts they may be having. In a period where anxiety, stress, and isolation can be at their highest, it is crucial to know that support like Papyrus is there for you.
Age UK Advice Line: Call 0800 678 1602 from 08:00-19:00 on Christmas Day
Age UK offers free, confidential information and advice for older people and unpaid Carers, including over the Christmas period when support may feel harder to access. The service can help Carers who are supporting an older person or who are older Carers themselves, with advice on health and wellbeing, emotional support, benefits, care options, and practical issues that can affect physical and mental health.
Helpline for Disabled People: Call 0121 630 2015 between 09:30-16:00 on Christmas Day
The Helplines for Disabled People can support Carers who are looking after a disabled person or who are disabled themselves, offering guidance on physical and mental wellbeing, accessing services, benefits, independent living, and managing day-to-day challenges that can impact health and stress levels.
Helpline for Disabled People: Call 0121 630 2015 between 09:30-16:00 on Christmas Day
The Helplines for Disabled People can support Carers who are looking after a disabled person or who are disabled themselves, offering guidance on physical and mental wellbeing, accessing services, benefits, independent living, and managing day-to-day challenges that can impact health and stress levels.
These are just a few of the options available to you, and there are plenty more services which you can access throughout the holiday season, including physical, emotional, and emergency support.
We will be signposting them on our socials, website and other channels, but you can also find more yourself, and plenty of incredible websites have compiled lists of where you can access support.
Remember, we can also support each other and ourselves in how we behave over the Winter season. Take a break when you need it, check up on your family and friends, and make sure you know what activities are going on in your local area, so if you do need to step out, you can!
We know Christmas can be tough, but it’s easier facing it together.
