Christmas 2023: Links to support in Leeds

In this guide, we have links to places where you can get support if you are in crisis, are feeling isolated or just want someone to talk to. This includes national helplines, local helplines and crisis services in Leeds.

National helplines

These are helplines that are run for people nationally. Please note that some of them may not be open during Christmas, bank holidays or weekends.

• Samaritans
  • Phone: 116 123
  • Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
• Scope – Disability Helpline
  • Phone: 0808 800 3333
  • Website: https://www.scope.org.uk/helpline/
• Shelter Housing Advice Line
  • Phone: 0808 800 4444
  • Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
• SHOUT
  • Phone: Text 85258
  • Website: https://giveusashout.org/
• LGBT Foundation Helpline
  • Phone: 0345 330 3030
  • Website: https://lgbt.foundation/
• Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
  • Phone: 0300 330 0630
  • Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/
• NHS non-emergency helpline
  • Phone: 111
  • Website: https://111.nhs.uk/

Local helplines

These are helplines that are run for people across Leeds or West Yorkshire. Please note that some of them may not be open during Christmas, bank holidays or weekends.

• Dial House (Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service)
  • Phone: 0113 260 9328
  • Website: https://www.lslcs.org.uk/
• Dial House at Touchstone
  • Phone: 0113 249 4675
  • Website: https://www.lslcs.org.uk/services/dial-house-touchstone/
• Teen Connect Helpline
  • Phone: 0808 800 1212
  • Website: https://www.lslcs.org.uk/services/connect-helpline/teen-connect/
• Deaf Connect
  • Text or FaceTime: 07984 396 001
  • Website: https://www.lslcs.org.uk/services/connect-helpline/deaf-connect/
• St George’s Crypt
  • Phone: 0113 245 9061
  • Website: https://www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk/
• West Yorkshire 24-hour Mental Health Helpline
  • Phone: 0800 183 0558
• Well-Bean ‘Hope in a Crisis’ Café – Self-Referral number
  • Phone: 07760 173 476
  • Website: https://touchstonesupport.org.uk/intensive-community-support/wellbean-cafe/well-bean-hope-in-a-crisis-cafe-leeds/
• West Yorkshire Police – non-emergency contact
  • Phone: 101
  • Website: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/
• Chapeltown Citizens Advice and Leeds Citizens Advice
  • Phone: 0808 278 78 78
  • Websites: https://citizensadviceleeds.org.uk/ and https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/chapeltown/
• Leeds City Council – Adults and Health
  • Phone: 0113 222 4401
  • Website: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/adult-social-care
• Leeds Mind
  • Phone: 0113 305 5800
  • Website: https://www.leedsmind.org.uk/
• Carers Leeds advice line
  • Phone: 0113 380 4300
  • Website: https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/
• Cruse Bereavement Care
  • Phone: 0808 808 1677
  • Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/
• Money Buddies
  • Phone: 0113 235 0276
  • Website: https://moneybuddies.org.uk/
• Linking Leeds
  • Phone: 0113 336 7612
  • Website: https://linkingleeds.com/

Support with mental health

MindWell is a website that has a range of information and resources on mental health support available in Leeds. Their website is at this link: MindWell

They also have an advent calendar with tips on mental health being posted on their X/Twitter and Instagram accounts. Find out more about it here: MindWell Advent Calendar

If you are in a mental health crisis and don’t know where to go for help, there is something called the Leeds Crisis Card that has useful information. It lists all the crisis services working across the city, including their contact details. Download the crisis card at this link: Leeds Crisis Card

Support with housing

Here is a list of useful links if you are struggling with housing issues or are homeless:

• Engage Leeds: https://engageleeds.org.uk/
• Leeds Housing Options: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk/contact-leeds-housing-options
• Better Leeds Communities – Housing Advice: https://betterleeds.org.uk/our-services/housing
• Leeds City Council – Homeless or at risk: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk
• GIPSIL – Housing and Support: https://gipsil.org.uk/services/housing-support/
• Simon on the Streets – Support in Leeds: https://simononthestreets.co.uk/get-support/leeds

Staying well and safe in winter

This Christmas, there are night safe spaces running for women in Leeds. Run by Women-Friendly Leeds, it is a bus for women and girls to come to or be referred to if they are feeling concerned, unsafe, unwell or vulnerable.

It will be running in the city centre on dates including Friday 22^nd December, Saturday 23^rd December and Saturday 30^th December. More information is at this link: Women’s Night Safe Space

Touchstone, a local mental health charity, have produced a Winter Wellbeing booklet. It has useful information on support and services available throughout the winter period in Leeds. Click on this link to download a free copy: Winter Wellbeing Booklet – Leeds

Speaking of staying well and safe, we have made a guide for autistic adults about doing that during cold weather. It includes a checklist, information on useful apps and links to check for weather updates and tips on what to keep at home in case of emergencies. The guide can be downloaded here: Coping in Winter