You Are Not Alone This Christmas — Help and Support Available in East Riding

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it can also be a really tough period for many people. Whether you’re feeling isolated, low in mood, worried about money or struggling to stay warm, it’s important to know that support is available — even over Christmas and New Year.

If you or someone you know is finding things hard right now, here’s a guide to local services and crisis support in East Riding that can help.

If It’s an Emergency — Always Call 999 If you or someone else is in immediate danger, feeling unsafe, or there’s a serious health emergency, call 999 — this includes situations where someone may harm themselves or others.

Emergency and Essential Support from East Riding Council

Emergency Assistance Scheme

If you are facing a crisis and can’t afford essentials like food, gas or electricity, the East Riding Emergency Assistance Scheme can help. This support is for residents with interrupted income or unable to afford basic living costs. You can apply online anytime — the scheme runs through the holiday period. -

You can apply online anytime — the scheme runs through the holiday period. - East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s emergency assistance scheme

**Urgent Help with Finances and Housing

East Riding Council’s Your Money team can help with benefits, debt advice and budgeting support, check .East Riding of Yorkshire Council website for more information

If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, you can contact the council on:

01482 396301 during office hours

01482 393939 outside office hours. 

Mental Health and Emotional Support

Christmas can be emotionally challenging — and you don’t have to face those feelings alone.

Local Mental Health Crisis Support:

• Mental Health Crisis Intervention Team (adults): call 0800 138 0990 — support available 24/7 for residents of Hull and East Riding facing a mental health crisis. Check out the website here
  
  
• NHS 111 (mental health option): call 111 and select the mental health option. This national service is available 24/7 for urgent mental health advice and can connect you with local crisis support. 
  
  
• Talk to someone now: Samaritans offer a confidential listening service 24/7 on 116 123 — for anything that’s troubling you. Check out the website here

• Text support: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 crisis text support. 
  
  
• Hull & East Yorkshire Mind: support line, peer support and wellbeing groups — 01482 240133 or freephone 0800 138 0990. Check out the website here

Support for Children and Young People

• CAMHS Crisis Team (under 18s): 01482 301701 (option 2) — available 24/7 for young people in emotional crisis. 
  
  
• Youngminds Parent Helpline: call 0808 802 5544 for support and advice on young people’s mental health. 
  
  
• Childline: children and young people under 19 can call 0800 1111 any time for confidential support. 

• Young Healthy Minds (East Riding): tips, support and services for young people’s wellbeing, plus Papyrus HOPELINE247 for suicide prevention 0800 068 4141 or text 88247. 

Help with Gas, Electricity and Household Costs

If you’re struggling with energy bills or staying warm over the holidays, help is available:

Household Support Fund

Many councils, including East Riding, are using the Household Support Fund to help households with food and utility costs during winter. Grants or one-off payments may be available. Residents in East Riding can check eligibility and apply via the council’s cost-of-living support pages. 

**Energy Advice

If you’re worried about paying energy bills:

• Contact your energy provider — many offer hardship funds, payment plans and priority services, even over the holidays.
• Check the government’s Energy Advice pages (gov.uk) for tips on savings and support.
  
• Citizens Advice

General Money advice. -Check out the Money Helper

You Are Not Alone
The holidays can be a time of joy — but also stress, isolation or sadness for many. It’s okay to reach out for help. Whether you need support with money, mental health, housing or just someone to talk to, there are services and people who care and who are available throughout the Christmas break.

If you’re unsure where to start, contacting NHS 111 or your GP is also a good first step — and local community groups are often there to support you too.