ACROSS Worcestershire there are 24/7 helplines and local support for the Christmas and New Year period.
The festive season can be a difficult time of year for all sorts of reasons, and can cause anxiety and feelings of loneliness.
For those who have served in our Armed Forces, or who are currently serving it can trigger changes to mental health and wellbeing that could be affected by their time in the military.
National Armed Forces organisations are offering help 24 hours a day throughout the festive period for those struggling for mental health.
The helplines are manned by people who have a good understanding of military life and all that it entails.
A number will offer text or an online chat service if you don’t want to speak directly.
Councillor Richard Morris, Worcestershire’s Armed Forces Covenant Partnership chairman, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our Armed Forces personnel and veterans across Worcestershire and their families a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
“While our fantastic local military charities and services take a short but well-earned break over the festivities any veteran, currently serving or family member living in Worcestershire who is feeling anxious or isolated should not hesitate to reach out to the military helplines and seek assistance, whatever the issue might be.”
National Helplines for the Armed Forces Community include Op Courage (NHS veteran mental health line) 24 hours call: 0300 323 0137
Samaritans (military & Armed Forces community support) 24 hours call: 116 123 Or download the Samaritans Veteran App.
Combat Stress 24 hours call: 0800 138 1619
Royal British Legion Call: 0808 802 8080 – Available 8:00am to 8:00pm seven days a week
SSAFA Forcesline Call: 0800 731 4880 – Available 9:00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
Local support is available either side of the festive break from our Armed Forces charities
STEPWAY will be closing over Christmas from December 19 to January 7. If you have any worries, need advice or support in the meantime, please call:
Worcester Office: 01905 745 253
Mobile: 07930657568
SSAFA Worcestershire will be closed over the Christmas period from December 20 to January 2 2024.
The West Midlands Region Helpline 020 4566 9116 is closed from December 25 and reopens at 9am on January 2.
Anyone who finds themselves homeless or are at risk of homelessness please contact the following numbers:
Worcester City Council: 01905 722589
Wychavon District Council: 01386 565000
Malvern Hills District Council: 01386 565000
Wyre Forest District Council: 01562 732928
Redditch Borough Council: 01527 534069
Bromsgrove District Council: 0800 0850 160
If you have concerns that someone may be sleeping rough and in need of professional support, members of the public can contact StreetLink.
This will send a notification directly to the Rough Sleeper Outreach Teams in Worcestershire who will be able to take appropriate action. This service can also be accessed by anyone who finds themselves without a roof over their head or is about to become homeless.
