In this seasonal information guide, we have put together links to and details of local services, support and resources that can help if you are having a tough time or need support in an emergency. It covers health and mental health, links to local and national helplines and resources from us and other services in Leeds.
Health services at Christmas
Most pharmacies will be closed on Christmas Day at the very least, with some also closed on other dates such as New Year’s Day. To check when your local pharmacy is open, please use the NHS Find a Pharmacy tool.
- If you need to get in touch with any hospitals in Leeds, numbers for each one run by the NHS can be found here: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/contact/
- The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership have some useful information on how ordering any prescriptions early can help to reduce anxiety: https://www.wypartnership.co.uk/news-and-blog/news/prescription-stress-free-bank-holidays-plan-ahead-and-help-nhs
Mental health services and support at Christmas
MindWell have an online festive wellbeing toolkit that includes tips on managing anxiety, money worries, coping with grief and loss and self-care routines. It is available here: MindWell Festive Toolkit
There is also a page on their website with information on finding mental health support in Leeds. It has details of opening times and links to helplines – Mental Health Support
Touchstone, a local mental health charity, have published a Winter Wellbeing Booklet with information on support in Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees. It can be seen here: Winter Wellbeing
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
- Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/
NHS 111 Online
- Website: https://111.nhs.uk/
Local helplines and other services
These are helplines and services that are run for people in Leeds or throughout 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 for emergency situations
- Website: https://www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk/
Here for You: Out of hours support in a safe space
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 – Adult Social Care
- 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 – social prescribing service
- Phone: 0113 336 7612
- Website: https://linkingleeds.com/
Homelessness and housing
- St George’s Crypt run community activities and a Christmas dinner for people facing homelessness: https://www.stgeorgescrypt.org.uk/how-we-help/stories/christmas-day-lunch-service
- Every Thursday evening, Leeds Homeless Street Angels provide support for people living on the streets in Leeds City Centre: https://homelessstreetangels.co.uk/
- Leeds City Council’s Housing Options service has a helpline open most days – if you are homeless and need accommodation, call them on 0113 222 4412
- The Green Doctor are providing free home visits or phone consultations about making your home warm during winter. To sign up for one, please refer to the service here: Groundwork Yorkshire Green Doctors
Warm/Welcome Spaces and cost of living support
Leeds Directory has information on Welcome Spaces across the city. They are where people can gather for free in a warm, safe place and enjoy hot drinks and company.
To read more about them, please visit the Welcome Spaces page.
- Leeds City Council have a page on their website with useful links to services and support available to help with the cost of living here: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/campaign/cost-of-living
- For issues with benefits, Leeds City Council’s Welfare Rights Unit can be called on 0113 376 0452 or emailed at [email protected]
- The Leeds and Chapeltown branches of Citizens Advice can provide independent advice on topics like money and benefits:
- Better Leeds Communities have a referral-only service helping with debt and finances. They also have a budgeting digital park with tips, advice and engaging activities – read more here: Better Leeds Communities
Our resources
We have updated our guide to Wintertime Wellbeing. It includes tips on staying warm and safe, as well as handling events like social gatherings. To read it, please click here: Wintertime Wellbeing
There is also a Christmas Survival Kit, where you can plan how you would like your festive period to run. It can be downloaded for free here: Survival Kit
