Where can I get help over Christmas?

LEWES DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVICE, which includes Seaford, Newhaven, Peacehaven and Telscombe etc can all be contacted on 01273 007557.

We will not be monitoring phone messages from midday on 24th December until Monday 4th January 2020

Help in an emergency

· If your call is an emergency, please call 999 · For emotional support, you can contact the Samaritans which are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 08457 90 90 90 · For housing advice, call Shelter’s helpline on 0808 800 4444. It’s open 8am-8pm on weekdays and 8am-5pm on weekends, 365 days a year

StreetLink is a website, mobile phone app and telephone service through which people can take positive action when they see someone sleeping rough by sending an alert that connects that person to local services for support. Call 0300 500 0914 ·

The National Domestic Violence Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 0808 2000 247

Food bank for Seaford, Newhaven and Peacehaven – Seahaven Storehouse. Call 07921 844930 or get referral via Lewes District Citizens Advice 01273 007557 or email info@lewesca.onmicrosoft.com

Food bank for Newhaven and Peacehaven – Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) – referral via Lewes District Citizens Advice 01273 007557 or email info@lewesca.onmicrosoft.com

Food banks for Lewes – referral via Lewes District Citizens Advice 01273 007557 or email info@lewesca.onmicrosoft.com

Bereavement If you need support following bereavement, Cruse can provide bereavement counselling and support for both children and adults by telephone. Call 0844 477 9400 (charges apply). Check out the opening hours for their helpline.

Domestic Violence and Assault The National Domestic Violence Helpline runs in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge. It is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence or their friends and families. A translation service is available. Call 0808 2000 247

Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Mankind for male victims of domestic abuse. Call 01823 334244 The National Rape Crisis Helpline provides emotional support and local signposting information for anyone who has suffered sexual violence. Call 0808 802 9999

Their helpline is open in two shifts:

12pm-2.30pm and 7pm-9pm every day of the year.

Emotional Support and Health

The Silver Line has a free, confidential helpline dedicated to helping older people, who may be feeling isolated, confused, or lonely. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0800 4 70 80 90

Age UK Advice is a free, confidential, national phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals. They have a team of expert advisers who will give you reliable information. 8am-7pm every day of the year. Call 0800 678 1602

Mind provide information and advice on all aspects of mental health as well as emotional support. Call 0800 123 3393 or text 86463

Their helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am until 6pm.

The line will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. NHS 111 provide general information about health and medical problems on 111

Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

SANEline provide emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness. Call 0845 767 8000

Their helpline is open 4.30pm to 10.30pm every day of the year. The Samaritans provide emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Call them on 08457 90 90 90

Their helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Switchboard (LGBT+ Helpline) Switchboard provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans* people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity. Call 0300 330 0630

The helpline is open 10am-10pm, every day of the year.

Housing and Homelessness (including street homeless)

StreetLink is a website, mobile phone app and telephone service through which people can take positive action when they see someone sleeping rough by sending an alert that connects that person to local services for support. Call 0300 500 0914 Shelter can provide information and advice for a range of housing issues including homelessness. Call 0808 800 4444

The helpline is open every day of the year:

· 8am – 8pm on weekdays

· 9am – 5pm on weekends

· 9am – 5pm on 25 and 26 December and 1 January

Parenting and children Family Lives provides information and support on all aspects of parenting, including bullying, eating, exams, truancy, toddlers, teenagers and more. Call 0808 800 2222

Their helpline is normally open 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

· On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day Family Lives will be closed.

· On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve they will close early at 4pm.

· All other days are open for normal hours over the holidays. The Family Rights Group provide confidential advice for parents and other family members if social workers are involved in your child’s life, or you need extra support from Children’s Services. Call 0808 801 0366

Their helpline is normally open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) provides help if you’re worried about the safety of a child. They also provide information for parents and carers supporting children who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence. Call 0808 800 5000

Their helpline is open 8am – 10pm on weekdays and 9am – 6pm at the weekend. You can contact them online 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

General advice Citizens Advice provide information and advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, employment, housing, relationship and consumer rights.

Call 0800 144 88 48 You can also contact them via their webchat service, which is usually available between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

 

Lewes District Citizens Advice

Lewes District Citizens Advice is an independent charity providing free, confidential and impartial advice to anyone living or working within the Lewes District area.  We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

We help people to resolve their problems by providing information and advice on a wide range of topics including debt, benefits, employment, consumer, relationships and housing.  We are also involved in campaigning, both locally and nationally to make sure that local people have their voices heard so that collectively we can influence policy makers and affect change.

Our 3 main offices are in Lewes, Newhaven and Seaford and we also have outreach locations in Peacehaven and Telscombe.  Each of our offices is staffed by a team of committed and highly trained workers most of whom are volunteers.  Without the support of our staff and the continued generosity of our funders we would not be able to offer our vital service.