Christmas 2026: Where to Get Help

Year-round help

Contact your local council's homelessness team as early as you can, including if you are sleeping rough, sofa surfing, locked out or at risk of violence at home. Councils have out-of-hours contacts for emergencies; check your council's website or phone number.

In England, your council must help if you are legally homeless or will become homeless within the next 8 weeks. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules and routes, linked below. In Northern Ireland, homelessness help comes from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive rather than local councils.

Our Homelessness and Emergency Housing guide explains what to tell the council and what to do about eviction.

Year-round help

Food banks usually need a referral, for example from an advice service, a GP, a school or a support worker. Use the Trussell finder to see your nearest food bank and how to get help. Independent food banks, community pantries and council schemes may also help.

See also our Food Banks and Emergency Food Help guide.

Year-round help

You may be able to get help with energy and water bills, food, essential items or housing costs. You do not have to be getting benefits to ask. Schemes, rules and how to apply differ by area and nation, and money is not guaranteed.

• England: your local council (the Crisis and Resilience Fund).
• Scotland: the Scottish Welfare Fund, through your council.
• Wales: the Discretionary Assistance Fund.
• Northern Ireland: Discretionary Support.

Christmas-only

The Salvation Army's Christmas Present Appeal helps children and families in England, Scotland and Wales. You register with your local Salvation Army church or centre. Registration dates vary by area and you will see them when you choose your location. If your local centre is not taking online registrations, contact it directly.

In Northern Ireland, the Salvation Army runs a separate Family Appeal, also arranged through local churches and centres.

Parents, grandparents, guardians and carers can apply, and professionals or volunteers can apply for families they support. Places and gifts depend on what each local team can offer.

Year-round help

The Silver Line Helpline, run by Age UK, is a free, confidential phone line offering friendship and conversation for people aged 55 and over. Age UK says it is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year: 0800 4 70 80 90.

If you are worried about your mental health, see our Loneliness and Social Isolation and Suicidal Thoughts and Crisis Support guides.

Year-round help

Christmas can be hard. You don’t have to pretend you’re OK.

Missing someone, spending Christmas alone, worrying about money or feeling pressure to join in can make this time of year harder. If you’re feeling anxious or low, it’s OK to keep plans simple, take a break or tell someone you trust how you’re feeling. If anxiety or low mood is affecting daily life, you can speak to your GP.

If you’re worried about someone, check in and listen without putting pressure on them to join in.

If you feel you might act on thoughts of suicide or harm, or someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For other urgent help, see our Suicidal Thoughts and Crisis Support guide.

Christmas-only

Crisis at Christmas runs services for people experiencing homelessness. Crisis says its Christmas services take place in London, with day centres and hotel provision, and in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Merseyside, Newcastle, Oxford and South Wales. It is not available everywhere. Check with Crisis how its services work in your area this year before travelling.

So far the Caring in Bristol drop-in below is the only local Christmas 2026 meal or shelter we have listed, because it is the only one confirmed to us by the people running it. Councils, churches, community centres and local charities may run others. Always confirm the date, opening times, area, who can attend, and whether you need a referral or booking.

Caring in Bristol — Caring at Christmas drop-in, Trinity Centre, near Bristol city centre. The provider has confirmed it runs from Thursday 24 to Wednesday 30 December 2026 inclusive, 10am to 4pm every day. There is food, including a roast on Christmas Day, plus entertainment, a free clothes shop, a cinema and volunteers to talk to. It is for adults over 18, and you can drop in without booking or a referral. You do not need to give personal details, although staff may ask about your housing situation. Whether the food is free has not been confirmed, so ask about cost before you go. No transport is provided. Phone 0117 924 4444 or email info@caringinbristol.org.uk.

If you are a charity, council, church or community group running a free Christmas meal, warm space or drop-in that anyone who needs help can attend, please send us the confirmed details through our Support for Charities and Community Organisations page. Please tell us the town, the venue, the opening hours, who can attend, whether people need to book or be referred, and a contact phone number. We only list services confirmed by the people running them.

Our general Christmas in the UK guide covers budgeting, grief, health and medicines, travel, safety and things to do.

Sources were checked on 10 November 2026 on the providers' and governments' own websites. Services, dates and eligibility can change at short notice. This page is general information, not advice, and inclusion is not an endorsement.