Help and Support over Christmas
Emergency services: 999
Feeling unsafe/ safeguarding – if you are under 18 and you feel unsafe, or you are worried about someone who is under 18, you can contact your local authority duty / out of hours service. These are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To find the duty number please Google your borough and then children’s services duty number e.g. search for ‘Brent duty children’s services number’. If you have any difficulties finding your duty children’s services number please contact the NSPCC (website and phone number below).
Crime
If you require assistance at the police station or have been contacted by the police who wish to interview you, you can contact our emergency 24-hour Crime Contact Line over the Christmas period on 07886 755321.
Homelessness
These services are mostly for young people over the age of 18. Those under the age of 18 must contact their local children’s services duty number if they are homeless (see above under safeguarding/what to do if you’re worried about a child).
Shelter: 0808 800 4444. You can use this helpline if you have nowhere to sleep or might be homeless soon; you have somewhere to sleep, but nowhere to call home; or you are/could be at risk of harm. The helpline is open 8am-8pm on most weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends and 25th and 26th December and 1st January.
The Albert Kennedy Trust. Advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people including accommodation issues. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.
New Horizon Youth Centre. Support for homeless and vulnerable young people in London.
Alone in London. Support for homeless people in London aged 16-25.
Crisis at Christmas: 0300 636 1967. Crisis day centres will be open in North, West, South and East London for Christmas support.
The Simon Community. Support for the homeless (mainly food provision).
Domestic Violence
Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Crisis Support
Samaritans: 116 123.
Further support for Children and Young People
Family Action offers support for care leavers aged 18-27: 0808 802 0222
The Tope Project are offering Christmas events for care leavers up to age 25.
A comprehensive list of all Christmas Dinners running across the country this year.
The Mix offers everything you need to know about mental health, from anxiety and depression to self-care and counselling.
Childline: 0800 1111.
NSPCC: 0808 800 5000.
Office of the Children's Commissioner - Help at Hand Team: 0800 528 0731.