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MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT CHRISTMAS

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Coventry Open Christmas is a voluntary organisation managed by the "Grub & Gab club". We provide shelter and food to the homeless and lonely over the Christmas holiday.

We have been helping the homeless and lonely and we hope to make it really special.

We are looking for volunteers and donations, if you would like to help please get in touch.
We will be open for 24 hours a day in 2024 across Christmas week. As you may appreciate, this requires extra resources to make this happen; primarily we need additional volunteers but also donations of cash, and food. If you, or anyone you know, would like to help us to make a difference this Christmas then please contact us.

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Coventry Open Christmas - providing shelter and company to the homeless and lonely at Christmas

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Coventry Open Christmas is a voluntary organisation - we provide shelter and food to the homeless and lonely over the Christmas holiday.

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Meaningful Change - Royal Leamington Spa

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Home - Meaningful Change - Royal Leamington Spa

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Meaningful Change is helping to positively change the lives of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Royal Leamington Spa

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Holiday activities and food (HAF) – SearchOut

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The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme is for school aged children in full time education from reception to Year 11 (inclusive), who receive benefits related free school meals. The programme offers valuable support to families on lower incomes, giving young people the opportunity to access…

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Services across Coventry and Warwickshire are reminding residents who are struggling with mental health or loneliness that they do not have to face any issues alone.

The festive season is associated with joy and celebration but the added social, financial and family pressures means it can be a difficult time for many people, especially those who are vulnerable, lonely or facing challenging life circumstances.

The key message for those who may be finding things hard right now is that they are not alone. There are things they can do to protect mental wellbeing, as well as a wealth of support networks available in the county.

One in four people will experience mental health difficulties and it can be hard to open up and talk about them. Anyone struggling or feel overwhelmed is encouraged to ask for help.

There are also some simple ways to take care of yourself over Christmas, including:

Taking time out to sit down and relax

Setting boundaries on your time and your expectations from others

Getting out in the fresh air for a walk, even if it's just around the block

Checking in with a friend or neighbour for a chat

Taking a break from social media and screens

Wellbeing for Warwickshire - commissioned by both Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council - is a collection of partners including Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind, KeyRing, Connect Assist and Kooth PLC (for Qwell service), with a key focus on providing support in the community to prevent those who may be struggling to cope from reaching crisis point.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Wellbeing Line on 0800 616171 is available 24/7 over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day and bank holidays. The friendly and compassionate helpline team are trained and ready to help anyone feeling low, anxious or stressed, looking for information or advice, or who are socially isolated and want to connect with other people.

For 'in person' support, Warwickshire Wellbeing Hubs have opening hours throughout the holidays. These hubs are friendly spaces that provide social support in a café environment. Visit the Wellbeing for Warwickshire website to find your local hub or Safe Haven and when they are open over Christmas and the New Year - if you're aged 18 and over you can just drop in.

Coventry City Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust have also launched an initiative called 'Bin Feeling Down', which aims to take some of the most common and difficult issues people face during the festive season and offer support.

This includes promoting the importance of looking after one's mental health this winter with the NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies service for anxiety and depression. As part of the campaign residents will notice signs on numerous rubbish bins and refuse lorries in Coventry, encouraging individuals to prioritise their mental wellbeing which may be impacted by financial debt, drugs and alcohol misuse, loneliness or poor mental health and seek support.

You can also access support online via anonymous counselling, chat and discussion forums from Kooth (age 16-25) and Qwell (aged 26+) - visit https://wellbeingforwarwickshire.org.uk/anonymous-web-support-on-any-device/ to find out more. Alternatively, take a look at the self-care Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing (all age) or free courses from the Recovery and Wellbeing Academy (age 18+).

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or significant self-harm can get help and support at dearlife.org.uk for themselves or someone they know. For urgent mental health crisis support call the Mental Health Access Hub on Freephone 08081 966798. If there is immediate risk to life, call 999.

Councillor Margaret Bell, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Health said: "Whilst many people will be celebrating at this time of year it can be an especially difficult period for others, for all sorts of reasons.

"Taking care of your mental health is crucial, and we want everyone to know that there are resources and support networks across the area available for those who are feeling stressed, anxious or struggling to cope.

"You can go online, pick up the phone or meet with the support workers who will be there for you during the Christmas season and beyond."

For information about a range of local mental health and wellbeing services, including face to face, telephone, online and self-help resources available in Coventry and Warwickshire, please visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth, https://www.coventry.gov.uk/mentalhealth or https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/service-detail/health-service/mental-health-access-hubs-878/.

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Help to avoid struggling alone this Christmas - Warwickshire County Council

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Services across Coventry and Warwickshire are reminding residents who are struggling with mental health or loneliness that they do not have to face any issues alone.

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Our food parcel collection times from the Fred Winter Centre are:
Monday 5.00-6.30PM
Tuesday 12.00-2.00PM
Thursday 5.00-6.30PM
Friday 12.00-2.00PM

We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger?

Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find out more about how we work.

Can you help us with some urgently needed items? Check out our 'shopping list' for what we need the most.

Where we are
Get directions & opening times

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Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

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Our food parcel collection times from the Fred Winter Centre are: Monday 5.00-6.30PM Tuesday 12.00-2.00PM Thursday 5.00-6.30PM Friday 12.00-2.00PM We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger? Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system.

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MOSAIC KIDS CHRISTMAS PARTY • Mosaic Church

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Christmas Dinner Deliveries for Those in Need This Christmas, Guardians Grow Charity, in c

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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TURN TO YOUR PHARMACY THIS FESTIVE SEASON FOR COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS - Happy Healthy Lives

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CW Safe Haven The right place for you if you have feelings of mental health distress. Call us on 024 7601 7200. Drop-in to see us and talk to us. Every evening from 6pm to 11pm.

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Elderly & Isolated Warwick Residents - Christmas Day Meal

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Elderly & Isolated Warwick Residents - Christmas Day Meal

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Warwick Baptists: Our warm hub - Home from Home (HfH) is open as usual on Monday 23rd December between 12.30 - 3.30pm. However we will be closed on 30th December, reopening on Monday 6th January 2025.

FREE Christmas day lunch for vulnerable/older people taking place at Chase Meadow community centre - flyer attached.

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Flying Pig Catering - Christmas Day Feast Flyer 2024

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Warwick Warm Spaces - Transforming Communities Together Warwick

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Warwick Warm Spaces are places where people can gather for free in a warm, safe, welcoming place and enjoy a hot drink and some company.

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Children who receive free school meals during term time could access supermarket vouchers during festive period

check date? article published 2023

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Thousands of families to get free food vouchers this Christmas

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Children who receive free school meals will be given food vouchers to help with the cost of living over Christmas – find out how to get your

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Reminder to collect foodbank parcel before foodbanks close for Christmas

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Reminder to collect foodbank parcel before foodbanks close for Christmas

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We provide practical support to people during their hardest moments and work with our community of food banks, partners, volunteers, and supporters to ensure no one needs a food bank to survive.

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Warwick residents over the age of 70 are eligible to collect their Mayor of Warwick's £10 gift voucher

These are available to collect from today at Warwick Visitor Information Centre and can be redeemed at various businesses in Warwick.

Great support from Mayor of Warwick

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Host Christmas event for Chilled foodbank - 30th Nov as final date for requesting help with cost of Christmas.

'Nearly New Sales - pop up sales of nearly new toys, books and gifts to raise money: 6th Dec and 13th Dec

Turkey Batch Day - Wednesday 18th Dec 10am-2pm, Turkey batches available from 12pm (check Facebook)

Christmas closure - Friday 20th Dec at 12pm - reopen as normal Monday 6th January

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The Gap Community Centre will close at 5:00 PM on Friday, December 20, 2024, and will remain closed over the festive season. We will reopen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at our usual operating hours of Monday to Friday 9-5pm.

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Closed from Friday 20th December until Monday 6th, however we will be open for collection from our Community fridge on the 31st from 12.45 - 1.30. Jo will also be monitoring emails in that time and can provide support in an absolute emergency, apart from the period from the 23rd - 27th.

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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TURN TO YOUR PHARMACY THIS FESTIVE SEASON FOR COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS - Happy Healthy Lives

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Sunday Worship 10.30am each week (no gap for Christmas/New Year)

Come in for a cuppa Thursdays 1pm – 2.30pm – last one 19th December, first one Thursday 9th January – anyone is welcome to pop in.

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Christmas Day Meal - 12noon

No one should spend Christmas alone! So why not come along to our annual turkey dinner on Christmas day, its free and open to everyone! Even if you do not come along, please share the details with anyone who you know who might like to join us.

01926 289459
St John's Vicarage
Tachbrook Street
Leamington Spa
CV31 3BN

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Open as usual except on the Bank Holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day)

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MIND Drop-In and Walks - Warwick & Stratford

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MIND Drop-In and Walks - Warwick & Stratford

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WELLBEING FOR WARWICKSHIRE: CHRISTMAS

Our 24/7 wellbeing line, 0800 616171, is open throughout Christmas.

Stratford upon Avon (Maidenhead) Wellbeing Hub, Friends Meeting House, 37 Maidenhead Rd, Stratford CV37 6XT:

Monday 23 December 10am - 12noon

Monday 30 December 10am – 12noon

Stratford upon Avon (Guild St) Drop In, Fred Winter Centre, Guild Street, Stratford upon Avon CV37 6QY

Friday 27 December 10.30-12.30

Friday 3 January 10.30-12.30

A practitioner is available in a booth in the café space for signposting and advice.

Stratford Wellbeing Walk, Meet outside the RSC, Waterside, Stratford upon Avon

Tuesday 24th December 10am

Warwick Wellbeing Hub, Warwick Quaker Centre, 39 high Street, Warwick CV34 4AX

Friday 27 December 1-3pm (change from normal day)

Friday 3 January 1-3pm (change from normal day)

Warwick Wellbeing Walk Meet outside the Tea Shop in St Nicolas Park

Friday 3 January 12noon

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Family Information Service - Opening hours

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Family Information Service - Opening hours

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The FIS helpline will be closed on 25, 26, 27 December and 1 January and will reopen as usual on 2 January.

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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(Scroll to bottom of the article and click the link in the second paragraph up from the bottom - will open as an Excel document)

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TURN TO YOUR PHARMACY THIS FESTIVE SEASON FOR COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS - Happy Healthy Lives

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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Pharmacies open on bank holidays across Coventry & Warwickshire

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(Scroll to bottom of the article and click the link in the second paragraph up from the bottom - will open as an Excel document)

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TURN TO YOUR PHARMACY THIS FESTIVE SEASON FOR COMMON HEALTH CONDITIONS - Happy Healthy Lives