Christmas and New Year holiday opening times for support services

Many services close during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Read more below on the opening times for Newcastle City Council, Jobcentre, foodbanks and support services are opening during the festive holidays

This information is currently being updated as of 19 November 2025. Many services will be closed 24, 25, 26, 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

Please check with services, if you are planning to use them as their opening times may change.

Festive bank holiday dates 2025 to 2026

Most services will be closed on the bank holidays. The dates for 2025 to 2026 are:

• Christmas Day Thursday 25 December
• Boxing Day Friday 26 December
• New Year’s Day Thursday 1 January 2026

Some services may also be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Please contact the service to make sure they are open.

Adult Social Care

Adult Social CarePoint give information, signposting and support to adults in Newcastle who are struggling at home with day to day activities. If you are worried about the safety of an adult or the person who cares for them you can talk to them. They are open during normal office hours – Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm – Call 0191 278 7878 and ask for Adult Social CarePoint or email [email protected].

In an emergency, 5pm to 8.30am on weekdays and at 24 hours a day at weekends the Emergency Duty Team is available. Call 0191 278 7878 and ask for the Emergency Duty Team

Children’s and Families Safeguarding team at Newcastle City Council is available if you’re worried about the safety of a child.

Benefits advice and support

Newcastle City Council’s Welfare Rights Service advice line is open as normal 24, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026. It will be closed 25 to 28 December 2025.

The Welfare Rights Service drop-ins are closed from the 22nd December 2025 and will restart in 2026. Details of where to get benefits advice in Newcastle’s can be found on Newcastle City Council’s website.

Housing Benefit, Council Tax and Crisis Support services at Newcastle City Council will be open normal hours 27, 28, 29 December. They will be closed Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year’s day.

Universal Credit Online Claim Support at Newcastle Libraries: Closed 25, 26 December 2025. Open 24, 29, 30, 31 December at City Library. Sessions on 24 and 31 December close at 2pm.

Citizens Advice Newcastle (CAN) will be closed from 12pm 24 December 2025 and re-open at 10am on 10 January 2026.

Jobcentre Plus and DWP services will be closed from 24 December to 28 December 2025 and 1 and 4 January 2026. For more information please visit Job Centre Christmas and New Year opening on GOV.UK

Benefit payment date

Department of work and pensions (DWP) telephone helplines will be closed on: 24, 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

• Benefits payments due on 24, 25, 26 December will be paid on 23 December 2025
• Benefit payments due on 1 January 2026 will be paid 31 December 2025

Visit gov.uk to read how and when your benefits are paid.

Carers

Newcastle Carers is closed for drop-ins on 23 December 2025. Their Carers Information Line closes at 1pm on 24 December 2025. Newcastle Carers’ services, drop-ins, and Carers Information Line will re-open as usual at 9am on 2 January 2026.

Adults: Adult Social CarePoint  Adult Social CarePoint open, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm

In an emergency, after 5pm and 24 hours a day at weekends. Phone and ask for the Emergency Duty Team email [email protected] or phone 0191 278 7878. After 5pm and at weekends contact the Emergency Duty Team Unknown

Children: Care and support for children at Newcastle City Council: Initial Response Team on 0191 277 2500, Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 5pm. Emergency Duty Team on 0191 278 7878 (out of office hours).

PROPS office will close at 4pm on 23 December 2025 and re-open on 5 January 2026. The PROPS helpline will be closed 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. The helpline will be open 9am to 9pm all other days.

Carers UK Forum: available to Carers UK members (join for free) available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Dementia

Alzheimers Society Newcastle are closed 24, 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. The Alzheimers Society National Dementia Helpline is open 9am-5pm on 24, 10am to 4pm on 26 to 28, 9am to 8pm on 29, 30 and 9am to 5pm on 31 December 2025. The helpline is closed 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

Dementia UK: Helpline for advice on caring for someone with dementia or to speak to an Admiral nurse. Phone 0800 888 6678 or email [email protected]

Silverline Memories Dementia Activity Centre, charity shop and wellbeing centre are closed from 20 December 2025 and reopen on 5 January 2026.

Digital and computer support

Get Online Newcastle will finish digital support sessions on 19 December 2025, sessions restart on 12 January 2025. The Get Online Newcastle helpline will be closed from 23 December 2025. They reopen on 5 January 2026. 

Drugs and Alcohol

NTaR at Plummer court will be closed d 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th December 2025 and 1st January 2026.

Road To Recovery Trust  at George Street Social coffee shop will be closed 25, 26, 27, 28 December 2025. 1, 2, 3, 4 January 2026. !2 step fellowship meetings will be on as normal

Oaktrees Newcastle will be open 9am to 5pm on 23, 29 and 30 December and 9am to 4pm 24 and 31 December 2025. They are open normal hours from 2 January 2026.

Employability services

Work & Thrive Central at City Library closes at 5pm on 20 December and re-opens at 10am on 6 January.

Individual Placement Support (IPS) Employment Service will be on a reduced service from 22 December to 5 January

Energy services

Energy Services at Newcastle City Council is closed from 12pm on 24 December 2025. They will reopen on 2 January 2026.  For help with prepayment top ups, please contact your energy supplier. If your supplier is unable to help then please contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service  by calling 0808 223 1133.

Foodbanks and Food Parcels

Newcastle Foodbank distributes emergency food parcels from a number of different places in Newcastle. You need a voucher or e- number to get a food parcel. See their listing for more details on how to be referred for a food parcel.

They are closed on 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31 December 2025 and 1st January 2025.

CDW Food Bank will be closed from 19 December 2025 to 5 January 2026

Families 1st NE Multibank is closed from 23 December 2025 to the 1st January 2026. They will reopen on 2 January 2026

Free or low cost meals

People’s Kitchen provide free meals to people who need it in Newcastle. They are usually open Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm and weekends 9.30am to 11.30am. Over the Christmas holidays they are also serving food during these times:

Foodcycle have their free 2025 community Christmas meals at:

• FoodCycle Benwell on 15 December at 6:30pm
• FoodCycle Walker on 17 December at 12:30pm
• Foodcycle Westgate on 18 December at 6:45pm
• FoodCycle Byker on 18 December at 7pm

Changing Lives Christmas meal is on 19 December 2025, 12pm to 3pm at Cafe 16 at Newcastle Cathedral

The Salvation Army Newcastle’s festive movie and meal is on 19 December 2025, 5:30pm. The meal is free but donations are welcomed.

Divercity Hub CIC are open 22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 30, 31 December 2025. They are closed 25, 27,  28 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. Food is served daily: 8 am-12pm (sandwiches with tea/coffee), 12 pm to 8pm (hot meal, fruit etc). If possible, contact 07711111602 to let them know you are joining for food, but drop ins are welcome.

Shieldfield Forum Community Cafe  is open 23, 24, 30, 31 December 2025 9:30am to 2pm for low cost food.

Scotswood Garden are open 22, 23, 29, 30, 31 December 2025 and 2 January 2026 for social actvities followed by a  free shared lunch at 12pm. They are closed 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

Triangular CIO have a Christmas party on 22 December 2025 10am to 3pm, and are open on 26 and 29 December 2025 12pm to 2pm with food help offered..

St Luke’s Church are hosting a Christmas dinner on 25 December 2025 at 1pm. To book a space visit their website 

Corner Kitchen Community Café at Cornerstone are offering free and low cost meals on these dates:

• 17 December 2025: 11 am to 1pm Christmas dinner (£3 for turkey dinner and £1 for pudding)
• 22 December 2025: 9am to 2pm. Free hot drinks and toast served between 9am to 11am. hot meal for £2  served between 11 am to 2 pm
• 23 December 2025: 9am to 2pm. Free hot drinks and toast served between 9am to 11am. hot meal for £2  served between 11 am to 2 pm
• 24 December 2025: 9am to 2pm. Free hot drinks and toast served between 9am to 11am. hot meal for £2  served between 11 am to 2 pm

Crisis Skylight Newcastle are offering the following support to people who have been referred to them:

• 24 December 2025 Christmas Eve buffet 12pm to 2pm followed by festive films, crafts and games.
• 27 December 2025 Breakfast club 10am to 2pm
• 29 December 2025 Breakfast club 10am to 1pm followed by bingo
• 30 December 2025 Breakfast club 10am to 12pm followed by entertainment and bingo
• 31 December 2025 Breakfast club 10am to 12pm followed by entertainment

​​​​​​​Food Newcastle working together with InformationNow, Newcastle City Council Public Health and Gateshead Food Partnership have also created a printable timetable of food support across Newcastle and Gateshead available here

Food pantries and social supermarkets

Newcastle Community Pantry Walker at Treetop Village, NE6 3JW is open 11:30am to 1pm on 22 and 29 December 2025. Please note you must be an existing member.

Newcastle Community Pantry Blakelaw at Blakelaw Community Centre, Bonington Way, NE5 3RD is open 10am to 11:30am on 23 December 2025. Please note you must be an existing member.

Vinnies pantry at St Vincents centre is open 20, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30 December 2025 and 2, 3 January 2026 10am to 4pm. 24 and 31 December 2025 10am to 3pm. The pantry is closed 25, 26, 27, 28 December 2025 and 1 January 2026

Newcastle West Community Grocery is open 9:30am to 1pm on 24, 31 December 2025 and 9:30am to 4:30pm on 29 and 30 December 2025. It is closed 25, 26, 27, 28 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. Please note membership is needed. This can be purchased during the first visit and for the whole month of December their 12 month membership costs £1 (instead of £5).

Pottery Bank Community Centre are closed from 25 December to 1 January 2026

Benwell Bridge Community Pantry Cornerstone is open 17 and 24 December 9am to 12pm. Pantry is open to anyone in NE4 or NE15. Membership is £2 (one-off payment).

There is a printable flyer with food support information available here

GP surgeries and health centres

Many GP surgeries are closed on 25th, 26th December and 1st January 2025, NHS 111 can help with urgent repeat prescriptions if you run out of medicines.

Housing and homelessness prevention

Newcastle City Council Housing Services offices will close at 12pm on 24 December 2025. They will reopen at 9am on 5 January 2026. The West End housing office will reopen at 9am on 2 January 2026

Housing Advice Centre at Newcastle City Council are closed 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. Otherwise they are open usual hours for advice: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 4.30pm. Call 0800 1707 008 or email [email protected]

Outside of opening hours the Emergency Homeless Service is open. Telephone: 0800 1707 008 (For the Emergency Homeless Service press option 2 for the Operator and ask for the Emergency Homeless Officer)

Shelter Newcastle will be closed 25 to 28 December 2025

Supporting Independence Scheme (SIS) (basic household items to help you live independently) is open for enquiries and applications during office working hours. They will only make decisions and not schedule deliveries. Closed over the bank holidays.

If you are in an emergency or crisis situation there are Emergency or crisis support and funds available to help you pay for energy bills, household items, furniture, food, travel and other essential items.

Education

Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) Support and Advice Hub will be closed from 2pm on 19 December 2025 until 10am on 5 January 2026. Their student food support parcels

Local Authority maintained schools and nurseries will close on Friday 20 December 2024 for Christmas holidays. They reopen on Monday 6 January 2025.

First schools, primary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, high schools and specialist schools may follow different dates. Please check your school’s website for more information.

Job Centre opening times

Jobcentre Plus and DWP services will be closed on Wednesday 25 December to Friday 27 December 2024 and Wednesday 1 January 2025. For more information please visit Job Centre Christmas and New Year opening on GOV.UK

Libraries

Newcastle City Libraries are closed: 25, 26 December 2024 and Monday 1 January 2025.

Jesmond Library is closed 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. They are open 9:30am to 12:30pm on 23, 27, 30 December 2025 and 2, 3 January 2026

Local charities voluntary and community groups

Riverside Community Health Project are open 8:30am to 4pm on 22 December and 8:30am to 3pm on 23 December 2025. They close on 24 December 2025 and reopen on 5 January 2026.

Elders Council of Newcastle  will be closed from 12pm on 24 December 2025 until Monday 5th January 2025

Skills for People will be closed from 24 December 2025 to 2 January 2026

Mental Health Support

Samaritans are available to talk to anyone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year. Freephone 116 123 or email [email protected]

The Newcastle Mental Health Safe Haven service at George Street Social is open from 2pm to10pm, 365 days a year. including holidays. It is open for people experiencing mental health crisis or distress to drop in or call on 03001312000

Kooth offer free online counselling and mental health support for young people aged 11 to 18 years old. Their usual opening times are: Monday to Friday 12pm to 10pm and weekdays 6pm to 10pm. Over the festive period they are open:

• 24 December 12pm to 8pm
• 25 December 4pm to 8pm
• 26 December 12pm to 8pm
• 31 December 12pm to 8pm
• 1 January 2025 4pm to 8pm

Read more on InformationNOW about other mental health help:

• local support in Newcastle
• crisis or emergency support

Money and debt advice and support

Money Matters at Newcastle City Council is closed on 25 and 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

Moneywise credit union is closed on 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. They are open 10am to 2pm on 24 and 31 December. They are open 10am to 4pm on 29, 30 December 2025 and 2 January 2026.

Clean Slate help drug and alcohol users to get control of their finances. They are closed from 22 December to 4 January 2026. They will reopen on 5 January 2026. People can call 07528 067 327 for urgent enquiries

Pharmacies

Your local pharmacy or chemist can help with prescriptions, medicines and give health advice. You don’t need an appointment. They can help quickly with minor health problems, such as: urinary tract infections, coughs, colds, stomach upsets and more. If you’re eligible for free prescriptions, you won’t pay for your medicines.

Find your local pharmacy and check their opening times on NHS website

Order and collect your prescriptions (or have them delivered) before Christmas. This will help avoid problems getting the medicines you need when your GP surgery and chemists are closed. You can order online or in your pharmacy and get them delivered to your home

NHS 111 can help with urgent repeat prescriptions, if you run out of medicines when other services are closed.

Public transport

Metro, buses and ferries are running no service or a limited service on 24, 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro

For more information visit the Nexus website

Go North East will operate no buses on 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. On 24, 27, 29, 30 and 31 December 2025 a Saturday timetable will operate with some routes last departures between 6pm and 7pm. On 26 December Some services will be operating special timetables and 28 December will run to a normal Sunday timetable.

For more information on bus routes during Christmas and New Year holiday period visit Go North East’s website

Stagecoach North East will operate no buses on 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. On 24,, 29, 30 and 31 December 2025 a Saturday timetable will operate with some routes last departures between 6pm and 7pm. On 26 December Services 1, 7, 10/11, 12, 22, 30/31, 36, 38, 39/40, 62/63, X47, X88 will be operating special timetables

On 27 and 28 December 2025 buses will run to a normal Saturday and Sunday timetable.

For more information on bus routes in Newcastle during Christmas and New Year holiday period visit Stagecoach’s website

Sexual Health Services

Sexual Health 4 Newcastle at Summerhill Clinic offers free contraception, advice and more. You can order a free kit to test yourself for STIs. It will be delivered to your home. They offer walk in sessions and appointments. Contact them to arrange a face to face appointment.

On 24 and 31 December 2025 there will be no Young Person’s Clinic and services will close by 4pm.

Waste and Recycling Centres

Open every day apart from 25, 26th December 2025 and 1st January 2026.  All centres will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve but remember last entry times to the sites are 15 minutes before closing time for small loads  and 30 minutes before closing time for large loads.

You can find out your bin collection days during the holidays using the Newcastle Bins app

App Store

Google Play

or the online bin calendar on the Newcastle City Council website

Real Christmas tree recycling

Christmas tree can be recycled at the council’s 3 household waste recycling centres in Brunswick, Byker and Walbottle – you can find your nearest site here. You can find out more about what you can recycle at your nearest site on RecycleNow

Worried about the safety of an adult or child over Christmas?

Report any safeguarding concerns to the Children’s and Families Safeguarding team at Newcastle City Council.

If you’re worried about the safety of an adult you can speak to Adult Social CarePoint.

Young people holiday activities

Newcastle’s Best Ever Winter programme is running during the Christmas break from a wide range of community settings including leisure venues, youth centre provision, community centres, schools and churches.  These sessions are for children who receive free school meals and meet the criteria.

All the sessions will provide healthy food, physical and enriching activities from arts and crafts, ice skating, dancing, swimming, and cooking lessons. Details of the activities available can be found on the Childrens and Families Newcastle Website.  

Read more about Newcastle Holiday Activities

Last updated: December 19, 2025