Christmas 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 was published on 14 December 2023. Please check with the services if you are planning to use them as their opening times may change.

Many services will be closed 24th to 27th December 2023 and 1st January 2024.

Festive bank holiday dates 2023 to 2024

Most services will be closed on the bank holidays. The dates for 2023 to 2024 are:

Christmas Day Monday 25 December
Boxing Day Tuesday 26 December
New Year’s Day Monday 1 January 2024

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

Community Health and Social Care Direct 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. Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Telephone: 0191 278 8377 or email [email protected].

From 5pm to 8.30am on weekdays and at 24 hours a day at weekends the Emergency Duty Team is available. Telephone 0191 278 7878

Benefits advice and support

Newcastle City Council’s Welfare Rights Service advice line is open as normal 28, 29 and 30 December. Closed Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year’s day.

The Welfare Rights Service drop-ins are closed between Christmas and New Year. They restart 9 January. 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 over the bank holidays. Open 28^th and 29th December at City Library.

Benefit payment date

Department of work and pensions (DWP) Some payments will be made earlier if they’re due between 26 December 2023 and 3 January 2024. Visit gov.uk to read how and when your benefits are paid.

Carers

Newcastle Carers are closed from 12pm Friday 22 December. They re-open at 9am on Tuesday 2 January 2024. During this time carers can get information, advice or support from:

Adults: Community Health and Social Care Direct at Newcastle City Council Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
In an emergency, after 5pm and 24 hours a day at weekends contact the switchboard and ask for the Emergency Duty Team email [email protected] or phone 0191 278 8377. After 5pm and at weekends contact the Emergency Duty Team 0191 278 7878

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).

Children’s and Families Safeguarding team at Newcastle City Council.

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

Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimers Society Newcastle are closed from 22 to 26 December 2023, open 27 to 29 December 2023, closed from 30 December 2023 to 1 January 2024. They are open normal hours from 2 January 2024.

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 will be closed from 4pm on Thursday, 21st December and will re-open on Monday, 8th January 2024.

Digital and computer support

Get Online Newcastle are closed from 21 December 2023 and returns on 9 January 2024

Employability services

Supported Employment Service is closed during the festive period.

Energy services

Energy Services at Newcastle City Council is closed during the festive period. Open from Tuesday 3rd January

Foodbanks and Food Parcels

Newcastle West End 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 will be closed on 22nd December, 25th December, 26th December and 29th December 2023 and 1st January 2024. They will be open during their usual opening hours outside of these dates.

CDW Food Bank distributes emergency food parcels from West Denton Church in West Denton. They are closed on 26th December, 28th December 2023 and 2nd January, 4th January 2024. They will re-open on January 9th 2024.

St Vincents Newcastle are closed from 22 December 2023 to 1 January 2024. They will reopen 2 January 2024 with emergency food parcels and hot meals.

Kenton Food bank are open 10am to 4pm on 22 December 2023. Closed 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 December 2023. Open 28 and 29 December 2023 10am to 1pm. Closed from 30 December 2023 to 3 January 2024. They will re-open with usual hours from 4 January 2024.

Low cost food

Pottery Bank Community Centre are closed from Wednesday 20 December 2023 to Monday 8 January 2024

The Bread and Butter Thing Byker affordable food hub will be open normal hours 1.30pm to 2pm on 22, 29 December 2023 and 5 January 2024.

Free meals

People’s Kitchen provide free meals to people who need it in Newcastle and are open:

Christmas Eve Sunday 24 December 9:30am to 11:30am
Christmas Day Monday 25 December – 11:30am to 2pm Christmas dinner
Boxing Day Tuesday 26 December – 6pm to 8pm
New year’s Eve Sunday 31 December – 6:30pm to 9pm
New Year’s Day Monday 1 January 2024 – 9:30am to 11:30am

At other times open Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8.30pm and weekends 9:30am to 11:30am.

GP surgeries and health centres

Many GP surgeries are closed on 25th, 26th December and 1st January 2024, including:

The Grove Medical Group
Prospect Medical Centre
Holmside Medical group

NHS 111 can help with urgent repeat prescriptions if you run out of medicines.

Housing advice and homelessness prevention

Housing Advice Centre at Newcastle City Council are open as normal on working days.

Opening hours for advice: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 4.30pm. At all other times 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)

Email: [email protected]

Shelter Newcastle are closed 23, 24, 25, 26 December 2023. Open 9am to 4pm on 27, 28, 29 December 2023, closed from 30 December 2023 and reopen on Tuesday 3 January 2024

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.

Crisis at Christmas

Crisis Skylight Newcastle are working with Gateshead College to deliver their Crisis @ Christmas Project. This includes a sit down meal on the 24th December. Each person who attends will receive a Christmas Hamper. There will be entertainment, advice and support on site. Mini buses are available for transport to and from the event (booking required). This is for Skylight members only.

If you are working with anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness this year who would benefit from attending the event, please ring Crisis Skylight Newcastle on to book a place or delivery 0191 222 0622.

Christmas Eve 24th December – Sit down Festive Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, plus tasty alternatives. Live music and bingo. Location: Gateshead College Address: Gateshead College, Baltic Campus, NE8 3BE Times: 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Support with travel may be available 11am to 4pm

Christmas Day 25th December – Hot Meal and Gift Hamper Deliveries Delivered direct to you 11am to 3pm

Crisis Skylight opening times:

Closed 25th and 26th December 2023
Open 27th, 28th and 29th December 2023, 10am to 2pm for Engagement and Assessment drop in and festive activities
Closed 31st December and 1st January 2024
Open 2nd January for normal service

Housing associations

Home Group customers can contact Customer Services on 0345 141 4663 and speak to their local housing manager between 28 and 30 December

Your Homes Newcastle’s YHN House and YHN community hubs (East End, Kenton, Outer West, Walker, West End) will close on Friday 22 December 2023 (normal working hours) and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024. During this time customers can continue to call the YHN contact centre for emergencies or any of their out of hours services.

Education

Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) and Student Advice centre will be closed from 12 pm on 22nd December until 9am Monday 8 January 2024

Local Authority maintained nursery schools and Byker Primary School will close on 22 December 2023 for christmas holidays. First schools, primary schools, middle schools, secondary schools, high schools and specialist schools may follow different dates please check each schools website

Job Centre opening times

Jobcentre Plus have changed their opening times over Christmas and New Year. Visit gov.uk to see the Job Centre Christmas and New Year opening times

Libraries

Newcastle City Library opening times are:

Closed: 25 and 26 December 2023
Closed: Monday 1 January 2023

Jesmond Library opening times are:

Open Saturday 23 December 2023 9:30am to 12:30pm
Closed: 24, 25, 26 December 2023
Open 28, 29, 30 December 2023 9:30am to 12:30pm

Local charities voluntary and community groups

Caring Hands are closed from 23 December to 9 January.

Marie Curie Newcastle’s wellbeing centre is open 10am to 3pm on 27, 28 and 29 December 2023 for free festive nibbles and natter drop in sessions. For patients with a palliative diagnosis.

Building Futures East will be closed from 12pm on Friday 22 December 2023, reopening 8:30am on Tuesday 2 January 2024

Lifting Neighbourhoods Together programme will be closed from 4:30pm on Thursday 21 December 2023, reopening 8:30am on Tuesday 2 January 2024

Elders Council of Newcastle will be closed from Friday December 22 2023 until Wednesday January 3 2024

St Martins centre is closed 4pm on Thursday 21 December 2023, and the Avenue Coffee Shop will close earlier at 2pm . The Nursery will close at 3.30pm on Wednesday 20 December 2023. They will reopen on Monday 8 January 2024.

Mental Health Support

There are telephone support lines and local support services.

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

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week to provide assessment and home treatment for people over 16 experiencing a mental health crisis. This is not an ‘emergency’ service. Call freephone 0800 652 2863 or 0191 814 8899

Read more on InformationNOW about other mental health help:

local support in Newcastle
crisis or emergency support

Money and debt advice

Money Matters at Newcastle City Council is closed 23rd to 26th December 2023. Open 27th, 28th and 29th December 2023. Closed 30th December 2023 to 1st January 2024. Normal hours begin from Tuesday 2nd January 2024,

Clean Slate help drug and alcohol users to get control of their finances. They are open during the festive period. They are closed on weekends and bank holidays 24th to 27th December and 2nd January. Residents can call 07528 067 327 to speak to the team

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.

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.

Pharmacies open Monday 25th December

Mills Pharmacy, 21 Station Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 1QD
2:00pm – 4:00pm

Boots Pharmacy, 150 Northumberland Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7DQ
9:30am – 11:30am

Walker Pharmacy, 495A (Back) Welbeck Road, Walker, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 2PB
8:00am – 10:00am

Boots Pharmacy, 41 Halewood Avenue, Kenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 3RX
12:00pm – 4:00pm

Pharmacies open Tuesday 26th December

Asda Pharmacy Newcastle Shopping Centre, Fossway, Byker, NE6 2XP
10:00am – 4:00pm

Boots Pharmacy, Unit 1, Kingston Park, Shopping Ctr,Brunton Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 2FP
10:00am – 12:00pm

Boots Pharmacy, 35 Blackett Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7AN
10:00am – 4:00pm

Asda Pharmacy, Asda Stores Ltd, Hollywood Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 5BU
10:00am – 4:00pm

Parkside Pharmacy, 335 Benton Road,, NE7 7EE
10:00am – 12:00pm

J and J Whittaker Chemists Ltd, 32 Wansbeck Road South, NE3 3HQ
7:00pm – 9:00pm

Pharmacies open Monday 1st January 2024
Mills Pharmacy, 21 Station Road, South Gosforth, NE3 1QD
2:00pm – 4:00pm

Kerr Pharmacy, 31 Heaton Road, NE6 1SA
12:00pm – 2:00pm

Asda Pharmacy Newcastle Shopping Centre, Fossway, Byker, NE6 2XP
10:00am – 4:00pm

Ponteland Road Pharmacy (FH466), 163-167 Ponteland Road, Cowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE5 3AE
10:00am – 2:00pm

Chambers Chemist, 464 Armstrong Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE15 6BY
2:00pm – 4:00pm

Asda Pharmacy, Asda Stores Ltd, Hollywood Avenue, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 5BU
10:00am – 4:00pm

Denton Turret Pharmacy, Denton Turret Medical Ctr, 10 Kenley Rd, Slatyford, NE5 2UY
10:00am – 12:00pm

Sexual Health Services

Streetwise Sexual health services are for young people up up to 25 years. Streetwise ONTHEGO! Contraception and Sexual Health Services are closed for the festive period on Monday 25 December and Monday 1 January. Normal services will resume on Monday 8 Monday January 2024.

Sexual Health 4 Newcastle at New Croft Centre offers free contraception, advice and more. You can order a free kit to test yourself for STIs. It will be delivered to your home. Their booked face to face appointments will not be available during the public holiday days 25, 26 December and 1 January 2024.

Wellbeing Hubs

Wellbeing Hubs are a warm welcoming place to spend time in Newcastle. Local venues, such as libraries and community centres, offer a range of support such as hot drinks, free Wi-Fi, place to charge your devices, information, advice and more.

Visit Newcastle.gov.uk to find what support is available at a hub near you. You can search by postcode area, day of the week and by type of facilities available.

Waste and Recycling Centres

Open every day apart from 25th December, 26th December 2023 and 1st January 2024. All centres will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve but remember last entry times to the sites are 20 minutes before closing time.

Real Christmas tree recycling

Local Christmas tree recycling points are located at the council’s 3 household waste recycling centres in Brunswick, Byker and Walbottle – you can find your nearest site here.

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 Community Health and Social Care Direct.

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 Newcastle Support Directory.

Last updated: April 4, 2024