Support Services over Christmas
The last day that the StandOut Team are available to work with participants is Monday 23 December and we will be closed until Wednesday 2 January 2025.
We have put together a list of organisations offering a range of support and services while we are closed, from emergency housing to hot meals!
HOUSING SUPPORT:
Crisis: Day Centres will be open from Tuesday 24th - Saturday 28th December (Bermondsey, Stratford and Pimlico) for advice, hot food, shower facilities, salon services (offering haircuts, hair styling, beard trims and nail care), computer access, creative sessions, films and TV, Games and Sports. More information on the Christmas day centres can be found here.
You can visit their website, call their helpline on 020 7426 5650 or email london@crisis.org.uk.
Local council: Contact your council if you're homeless with nowhere to stay and ask about emergency options. The councils will be closed on the Christmas bank holidays.
Streetlink: If you can't get in touch with the council, call 0300 500 0914 or visit https://www.streetlink.org.uk/ to make a self-referral with your exact location. Local outreach teams will aim to find you and connect you with support services, such as Crisis’ hotel accommodation. Open throughout Christmas.
Salvation Army: Homelessness Centre - 10 Princes Street, Oxford Circus. Weekly programme of activities aimed at engaging clients and providing meaningful respite from the stress of street living, isolation and loneliness.
Shelter: Call helpline 0808 800 4444 (Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm | Weekends and bank holidays, 9am - 5pm) or visit https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help for advice around housing.
Centrepoint: Free helpline for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, aged 16-24. Call 0800 800 0661, Mon to Fri 9am-5pm, and online chat service 10am-4pm.
Glassdoor: Services are best suited to individuals based in South West and West London. Call 02073514948 for more info on the services available.
Day centres - Speak with a caseworker who can provide advice and practical assistance to help find solutions. Meals, clothes, showers and laundry facilities available at some centres. Space is limited, so early arrival is recommended. More information found here.
Night Shelters - No prerequisites to access the shelter. Once accepted a sleeping bag is provided. The sleeping area is basic with mats on the floor. At the shelters, guests are provided with a hot meal, a safe place to sleep and a breakfast. Register here.
MENTAL HEALTH, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL SUPPORT:
The Samaritans: visit https://www.samaritans.org/ or call 116 123 any day, any time if you’re feeling very low or need to speak to somebody.
MIND: visit https://www.mind.org.uk/ or call 03001233393 between 9am-6pm for mental health support (closed 25 and 26 December) Side by Side is their online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, accessible everyday including Christmas and bank holidays.
CALM: Campaign Against Living Miserably provides a helpline (0800 585858) and webchat that are open 5pm-midnight every day of the year, to men under 45. https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
SMART Recovery: teaches easy-to-learn, self-empowering skills for those in recovery or struggling with addiction. Online and in-person meetings nationwide. Free online meeting available on Christmas day & boxing day, no registration required, just turn up. https://smartrecovery.org.uk/about-our-organisation/
Cruse Bereavement Care: Information and support after a bereavement, run by trained bereavement volunteers. Call 0808 808 1677 between 9:30 - 3:30pm any day over Christmas. More details can be found here.
No Panic: help those who suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, phobias, and disorders. Call their helpline on 0300 772 9844, open 10am and 10pm every day of the year or visit their website https://nopanic.org.uk/the-no-panic-helpline/
Combat Stress: for veteran’s mental health. Call their helpline 0800 138 1619 open 365 days a year, open 24hrs a day https://combatstress.org.uk/get-help
We Are With You: Free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health using their webchat service at www.wearewithyou.org.uk. This service is open from 9am-9pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends. Find your nearest local service here https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/.
Rehab4Addiction: Helpline providing support for issues with alcohol, drugs and mental health - call 0800 140 4690 or visit https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/ for online guidance. Open throughout Christmas.
Men's Advice Line: Support for men experiencing domestic violence or abuse. Call 0808 801 0327 between 10am-8pm Monday-Friday. Or access webchat support 10-11:30am & 2:30-4pm on Wednesdays here: https://mensadviceline.org.uk/contact-us/.
FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES:
Trussell Trust: call free Citizens Advice helpline 0808 2082138 (Mon to Fri, 9am-5pm) or visit https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/ for help with money management, benefits, and to get issued a food bank voucher.
Next Meal: visit https://nextmeal.co.uk/ to search for the nearest places to you where you can get a meal. Some places also offer showers, laundry services and accommodation advice.
Too Good To Go: an anti-food waste app where you can search for the nearest restaurants/supermarkets giving away a 'Magic Bag' of all their daily leftovers for £3.
Whitechapel Mission: A day centre providing free breakfast 365 days of the year, plus advice services, showers, clothing and computer use at 212 Whitechapel Road, E1 1BJ. Opens at 6am, breakfast served from 8am and showers are available 7am-10am. Free, confidential advice is also available including, housing concerns, night shelters, addiction, benefits and settled status. Turn up or call 03000 111 400 or visit https://whitechapel.org.uk/daycentre
FoodCycle: Free hot meals over the Christmas period in locations across London - no need to book, just turn up! For anyone who wants a chat or just a warm space. Visit this page to see what meal services are running over this Christmas period.
CHRISTMAS DAY FOOD
The Alexandra pub, Wimbledon, South London: Everyone who is going to be on their own is welcome to enjoy a free Christmas dinner. Call 020 8947 7691 for more details. https://www.alexandrawimbledon.com/christmas
Cummin’ Up Caribbean restaurant and takeaway, Lewisham: The restaurant and takeaway will be open from 1pm until 6pm on Christmas Day for a free meal. Call 07831423163 for more details. 389 Lewisham High St, London, United Kingdom
Hammersmith and Fulham Christmas Day Lunch: 60+ H&F Residents. 11:00am to 3:00pm, register for free here - https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/events/big-hf-christmas-day-lunch
OTHER HELPFUL SERVICES
Signpost: use this online form to create a list of local services for any accommodation, financial support, health services, work, education or faith communities near you - http://www.signpost.services/
Universal Credit Prison Leaver Helpline: call 08001690345 (Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm) for help setting up your benefits when you are released from prison. This helpline will be closed weekends and bank holidays 24th-27th December and 31st Dec-2nd January but some Job Centres may be open on Saturdays.
ACTIVITIES
Family Christmas Event, The New Generation Youth Centre: A day filled with festive fun, music, games, and delicious treats. Bring your family and friends to celebrate the holiday season together. Friday 20 December, 3:30pm - 8:30pm (111 Wells Park Road, London, SE26 6AD)