Support for Carers over Christmas
Certain services will not be open during the festive period so make sure you have backup plans in place, checked the opening times of your doctors’ surgery, and that you have enough medication in stock. Here are the operational days and times of the Birmingham Carers Hub Contact Team who will operate a telephone service on 0333 006 9711:
23 December – 9am – 5pm
24 – 27 December – closed
28 – 30 December 9am-5pm
31 December – 2 January – closed
3 January – 9am-5pm
If you need information or support related to your caring role, Carers UK’s telephone helpline 0808 808 7777 will be open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm as normal over the festive period, including bank holidays.
For Carers registered with our 24-hour Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS), provision will be available over the Christmas period (including Christmas day) so you can have peace of mind that your loved one will be looked after in their home, should an emergency arise. If you are not currently registered (free of charge) with our CERS service, please make sure you have contingency plans in place as many support services will be limited or closed over the festive period.
If you have any concerns about the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person, telephone the Children’s Advice & Support Service (CASS) on 0121 303 1888 or email cass@birmingham.gov.uk. Outside normal office hours please contact Emergency Duty Team on 0121 675 4806. If you need to contact Adult Social Care Services and support, email CSAdultSocialCare@birmingham.gov.uk or call 0121 303 1234 available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Outside of these times, if you live in Birmingham, and have concerns about the immediate safety of an adult with care and support needs; Call 0121 675 4806.
Emergency Services
In an emergency call 999 for support from the police, fire brigade or medical assistance. If it is not an emergency call the following:
Police – 101 or 0345 113 5000 for West Midlands police
NHS – 111 Strep A advice: Most strep A infections are mild and easily treated, but some are more serious. The NHS website has information about symptoms to look out for, when to seek medical help and what to do in an emergency.
Fire brigade – West Midlands Fire Service – 03300 589 000
Emotional Support
If you’re struggling to cope, having suicidal thoughts or are worried about someone else, a Samaritan is willing to help. Call the Samaritans on 116 123, available 24 hours, seven days a week or email jo@samaritans.org. Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19. If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill. Information, friendship, and advice to older people is available 24 hours from The Silver Line on 0800 470 9090.
Christmas is a happy time of the year, but for some, it is the loneliest and most challenging time. If you have lost someone this year, you may find reading Cruse Bereavement Care’s advice about coping with grief at Christmas helpful or find ways to remember them at Christmas. If the person you care for is in hospital or happens to go into hospital, remember that the Carer Coordinators are there to help you.
