Local Support over Christmas for Unpaid Carers

General Support Throughout Christmas

There are a number of national carer services offering support and events throughout Christmas.

Carers UK

Carers UK telephone Helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm or you can contact us by email ([email protected])

If you need somebody to talk to or a listening ear, Samaritans are also available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123 or you can email [email protected]

For more information click here

Mobilise

Mobilise is an online support platform for unpaid carers that provides, information, resources, tips, and support.

They offer support calls, Facebook community and online tools that remain open.

To find out more please visit:  Mobilise website

Mobilise Christmas Cuppa

On their third year running, Mobilise are offering carers a chance for an online cuppa on Christmas day.

To find out more click here

To sign up click here

It's Good to Talk ...

Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.

Phone 116123 or visit their website to find out more ways of getting in contact.

Click here to find out more

Breathing Space

You can speak to a Breathing Space advisor on 0800 83 85 87

Or visit their website for more ways to contact.
Click here to explore

Cool2Talk

Is a safe space for young people 12 and over.  Go to their website to explore more.

Click here to explore

(Please note that this is a non-emergency service, if a young person requires immediate help, please contact Samaritans.)

Age UK

Age UK Advice Line 0800 678 1602
(Free to call 8 am – 7 pm 365 days a year)

Find out more about Age UK and what services are available.

BEAT

Beat has a helpline to support people with eating disorders over Christmas.

Helpline:  0808 801 0432 or email [email protected]

Drug & Alcohol Support

We Are With You Dundee

We Are With You Dundee Office will be closed from Friday 23 December 2022 until Monday 9 January 2023.

You can drop into Boot Community Hub at 94 Albert Street, on 28, 29 and 30 December or 4, 5 and 6 January 10am – 3pm.  

If you need assistance please call 01382 206888 or chat online via the We Are With You Website

NACOA

NACOA is a charity that provides support to everyone who is affected by a parent’s drinking.

Everyday throughout Christmas and New Year their support service is open everyday between 12-6pm.

0800 358 3456

[email protected]

Message boards

For more information please click here

Urgent Support

If you need support urgently you should get in touch with the Education, Health, Social Work, and Social Care professionals who work with you and the person you support.

If you do not know who this is or you cannot speak to these professionals or their colleagues you can get in touch with the Health and Social Care First Contact Team for advice 01382 434019  [email protected]

If you need police assistance, please call 101

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger please call 999

Child or Young Person Protection

If there is an immediate risk to a child or young person you should contact
01382 307940

If the matter cannot wait until office hours you can get in touch with Dundee and Angus Out-of-hours Social Work Service can be contacted on 01382 307964or email [email protected]uk

Dundee City Council Helplines & Crisis Support

Dundee City Council has a cost of living support page that has information on services available and what to do if you are requiring urgent assistance.

Click here to find out more

Social Work and Drug & Alcohol Service

Dundee Drug & Alcohol Service and Social Work will be available until 5pm on 22 December 01382433205 

From 5pm on 22 December until 8.45am 28 Dec Social Work Out of Hours will cover and are contactable on 01382 307964 

From 8.45am on 28 Dec to 5pm on 30 December normal hours will resume.

Social Work Out of Hours Service will then take over from 5pm on 30 December to 4 January.  Normal services will then resume from 5 January 2023.

Food & Provisions

Dundee Community Food Network

Map updated for Christmas and New Year!

An online map that shows places in your community that can offer either free or low-cost food during Christmas and New Year

Click here to find out more

A one-page Christmas and New Year – Mental Health and Food Support leaflet is also available to view and download from the resources page (and this also has a QR code that links to their website for the food provision)

Dundee Foodbank 

Find out more about Dundee Foodbank, plus other locations click here

Taught by Muhammad

Taught By Muhammad is an outreach project aimed at building an understanding between Muslims and the wider community. The project also helps tackle social injustices within Dundee.

The service has several projects such as support cafes, school drop-ins, budget cooking classes that support an average of 400 people on a weekly basis.

Click here to find out more

Dundee’s Open Doors

A list of organisations services & churches that are open to the public to offer support, and a warm place to stay for a little while.

Please note that some of these provisions may be closed during the Christmas holidays, so calling ahead or checking website and social media pages is advised before going along. 

Click here to explore the may of locations open

If you are a service providing food support throughout Christmas please let us know so we can add your service to this page, email [email protected]

Right Care in the Right Place

If you need medical help or advice, make sure you get the Right Care at the Right Place this winter.

The NHS Tayside website is full of information on the most appropriate care for your needs.

Find out more here – www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk

We will post more about GP & Pharmacy opening times very soon.

Watch this short video from NHS 24 on getting the Right Care at the Right Time

Local Support Over Christmas Advent Video Series

Local Organisations and Services – We need YOUR help!

Following on from last year’s video series success we are doing it again and inviting even MORE services to help us to let unpaid carers know about your Christmas opening times and support in place for your service users.

We are asking for organisations to record a quick video update on opening hours over Christmas and how people can get in touch.

Full support will be given to record and Carers of Dundee will promote on your behalf.

If you would  like to be involved, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] 

Dundee Carers Centre

Dundee Carers Centre provides information on services available up until Christmas, festive opening hours, and ways carers can access support while the centre is closed.  

Alzheimer Scotland Dundee

Jeni Sinclair from Alzheimers Scotland Dundee provides information on the service’s festive opening hours, details of how the service is running throughout the holidays, and how carers can get in touch.

Christmas tips for living well with Dementia

Alzheimer Scotland Helpline  – 0808 808 3000 (open 24 hours 365 days a year)

Email:  [email protected]

Dundee United Community Trust

Festive Friends
Help us tackle poverty, loneliness and isolation this Christmas

Meals, gifts & food parcels delivered on 22, 23, 24 December.

Meals, gifts and entertainments at Tannadice Park on 25 December.

How you can help:

• Volunteer your time – preparing meals, wrapping gifts, deliveries
• Make a referral to Festive Friends
• Make a food donation

For more information or to be involved please email Lisa Croll on [email protected] or phone 07944 328106

Penumbra Dundee Wellness Service

Sophie from Penumbra Mental Health in Dundee gives a quick update on festive opening hours and how carers can access support while the service is closed.

Duntrune Community Garden - SAMH

Lucy, a Horticulture Practitioner for the Chrysalis Project, Duntrune Community Garden, SAMH provides information on the garden’s opening hours throughout Christmas, and support available to service users while the Garden is closed.

More information

SAMH website

QWELL website

NHS 24

We are joined by Julie Lindsay, Clinical Service Manager for NHS 24 North Team, who provides information on the range of NHS Health Services available, and how to access the Right Care at the Right Time.

More information:

• Any situation considered life-threatening or an emergency, you should always call 999 or go straight to A&E
• Call NHS 24 on 111 any time, day or night, if you think you need to visit A&E but your situation is not life-threatening. Or if you are too ill to wait until your GP practice is open.
• For any health care advice or information that is urgent, but not life-threatening, go online and use NHSinform.scot.
  NHS inform has lots of health information, whether that be self-care advice, directions to visit another healthcare provider, or when to call the 111 service.
• Finally, we realise the winter months can be a difficult time for many people. If you’re feeling down, there are mental health resources available on NHS inform.
  If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need support, call NHS 24 on 111, day or night. You can also contact Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.

Faith in the Community

We hear from Danny at Faith in the Community Dundee, who talks about how to access information on what is available within localities over Christmas and New Year, including warm spaces, community cafes, and food larders.

More information

Faith in the Community Dundee Website

Dundee Open Doors Online Map