The Christmas period, while filled with joy for many, can also bring it’s own set of challenges. At Homestart Warrington and Cheshire, we recognise that Christmas can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and isolation, which impact mental health. Financial worries are heightened and families may be struggling to put food on the table. The increased stress and emotional strain can lead to escalating situations of domestic abuse or family crisis, adding further complexity to an already difficult season.
Resources and Assistance
We have compiled a list or resources to help address various needs:
Food Provision
- If you need a food parcel, or somewhere to go on Christmas Day for a meal, Warrington Open Door at Christmas are providing – please visit their website for more information – www.wodac.org.uk
- And you can find more information about Food Provision in Warrington here – https://www.warringtonva.org.uk/warrington-food-network
- If you are in Northwich or Winsford and need a food parcel, please visit https://midcheshire.foodbank.org.uk/ for more information.
Mental Health Support
Mind – Monday- Friday 9am – 5pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
Tel: 0300 123 3393.
Website: www.mind.org.uk
MIND website lists a number of support services available when they are out of hours.
Shout: mental health text support – Shout is a 24/7 crisis text service, free on all major networks.
Text: 85258. Available 24/7, 365 days of the year
CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably – CALM offer practical suggestions for all of life’s problems – whether that’s anxiety, relationship concerns, health worries, money worries or suicidal thoughts. Open 5pm to midnight, everyday. Phone: 0800 58 58 58. Online: Webchat: Open 5pm to midnight, every day
PANDAS Foundation
Pandas Foundation supports parents experiencing a perinatal mental illness.
- 10am – 5pm, 365 days a year
- There are also bookable appointment service 7 days a week (appointments at 7pm/8pm)
- Tel: (nationwide): 0808 1961 776
Safeguarding Concerns
Accessing help if you need it – Warrington
If you’re a victim of abuse, or you’re concerned that a child, young person, or a vulnerable adult is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect, then you should report this straight away. Acting speedily will enable the appropriate services to take the proper actions to prevent harm. If you’re a child or young person worried about yourself or another young person, you can contact the MASH team, who will help you access support.
Alternatively, you can speak to someone at ChildLine on 0800 1111 – calls are free and confidential. You can also contact someone through the ChildLine website.
- Report any safeguarding concerns about a child or young person to children’s safeguarding and social work teams during office hours on 01925 443322, press option one followed by option one
- Outside of office hours call us on 01925 443322 and press option 2 to go through to our out of hours service
- If you believe a crime has been committed, contact the police on 101
Accessing help if you need it – Northwich and Winsford
If you have concerns about a child’s welfare, or feel that they may be being abused or neglected please call the Integrated Access and Referral Team (i-ART) or the Emergency Duty Team for help and advice. Alternatively you can call the police.
Report a concern about a child:
The team can be contacted 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am – 4.30pm on Friday.
If you have an urgent concern outside these hours, or over a bank holiday, please call the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours) on 01244 977277.
Alternatively call Cheshire Police: 0845 458 0000/ 01244 350000 (999 in an emergency).