What to do if you need support during the festive break?
Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time for many people. If you’re alone, or need advice and support during the festive season, get in touch with one of the following help lines or services.
• The Sanctuary – providing 24-hour mental health support over Christmas – The overnight service assists people who are dealing with emotional crisis, out-of hours, experiencing: anxiety, panic attacks, depression or suicidal thoughts. Local residents, or those registered with a GP in the area, can access the service by calling The Sanctuary on 0300 003 7029. The service will be open for the entire Christmas period and in to the New Year. Visit: www.selfhelpservices.org.uk/sanctuary
• NHS non-emergency free service dial 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. This number can also be used for Out of Hours GP service,
Video calling services for sign language, textphone, including interpreter service for many languages are also available.
• On Christmas Day, four pharmacies will be open and on Boxing Day there will be 12 pharmacies open.
Cohen’s Chemist, in Waters Meeting Health Centre, Bolton, will be open between 10am – 9pm on both days and Deane Pharmacy, on Horsfield Street, Deane will be open between 8am – 11pm on both days. Nash Pharmacy on Castle Street, Bolton will also be open on both days, between 9am – 10pm.
On Christmas Day, Hooton’s Chemist, on Lee Lane, Horwich will be open between 10am – 12pm.
On Boxing Day, chemists in four Asda supermarkets — Farnworth, Middlebrook in Horwich, Manchester Road and Moss Bank Way, will be open between 9am – 5pm.
Pharmacies in four Boots shops will also be open. The store at Middlebrook will be open between 9am – 8.30pm. Boots in The Gates and Mealhouse Lane will be open between 10am – 5pm. The store on Trinity Street Retail Park will be open between 10am – 6pm and Boots in The Market Place will be open between 9am – 5pm.
Sainsbury’s Pharmacy will be open on Boxing Day between 10am – 5pm.
• Bolton Council – Social Services Emergency duty team in operation from 6pm-8am seven days a week 01204 337777, working in partnership with Careline.
Some other useful contacts:
• Shelter Freephone: 0808 800 4444
• The Samaritans Freephone: 08457 90 9090
• Domestic Violence Tel: 0808 2000 247
• Childline Freephone: 0800 1111
• Cruse Bereavement Care: 0844 477 9400