Support during the festive period
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Many services close down in the district for the Christmas holidays, here’s a guide of how to find support for yourself and loved ones during the festive period.
Council Services
All non-essential Council services will be closed from 5pm on Friday 22 December and re-open on 2 January while essential services will vary their opening times over the festive period.
Local Health Services
The Together We Can website is your one-stop shop to local health services. It’s full of information to help you choose the right care for you and your family.
Only call 999 or go to A&E in serious or life-threatening situations.
If you need urgent medical help but it’s not an emergency use 111 online or call 111.
When GP practices are closed, support for urgent same day health requirements can be accessed through GP Care Wakefield. Please call your usual practice number and you will be redirected to the service.
You can also visit King Street Walk In Centre which is open from 10am to 10pm every day (including bank holidays). Pontefract Urgent Treatment also sees patients and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can book an appointment by calling 111.
To find out which pharmacies are open during the bank holidays, you can use the pharmacy postcode checker at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy or by calling NHS 111.
Be Prepared
Make sure you have all your medication you need before the Christmas and New Year holidays.
You can order your repeat prescriptions by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/online-services/how-to-order-a-repeat-prescription/ or through the NHS App.
Mental health support
The festive season can be tough for many. Shorter days, money concerns, getting a good work/life balance, and a disrupted routine can amplify feelings of stress and anxiety.
If you or someone else is struggling during the festive period there are services that can help:
Age UK advice line
01977 552114 (regular friendship service)
8am-7pm, 365 days a year.
Samaritans: a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress
Phone: 116 123
C.A.L.M Helpline: provides support for anyone who needs it. CALM provides a free, anonymous and confidential service.
5pm-12 midnight, 365 days a year
SANE Line: National out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
4-10pm, 365 days a year
Papyrus Helpline: a charity for the prevention of young suicide (under 35) in the UK, and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Wakefield Safe Space: supports anyone in the Wakefield District aged 16 or over who feels they need someone to listen and speak to through their mental health challenges in a safe, friendly, and non-judgmental environment.
Open after 6pm every evening at Prosper House (formally Caduceus House), Upper Warrengate, Wakefield, WF1 4JZ (next door to Warrengate Medical Centre).
One to one support available 7:30-10:30pm
Kooth: a free online mental health and emotional wellbeing support service for children and young people.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
THE MIX: a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25.
Text THEMIX to 85258
Winter Health advice
From keeping well to boosting your mood, our Winter Heroes page is full of advice to help you through winter. You can find out more here.