Christmas & New Year 2025 – Useful Information and Services
Please note: the Sefton CVS offices in Waterloo & Southport will be closed from 5pm Tuesday 23 December 2025 and will reopen from 9am on Friday 2 January 2026.
Here you will find details of local Voluntary, Community and Faith (VCF) sector services operating over the Christmas and New Year period, as well as details of Sefton Warm Spaces, Sefton Council services and local NHS services including GPs, Pharmacies and Walk-Ins.
– Sefton MBC Services
– GPs & Out-of-hours health care services
– Sefton Foodbanks
– Christmas Meals and Social Activities
– Information, Support & Advice (Helplines)
Sefton Warm Spaces
Working alongside voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and in partnership with Sefton Council we have established a network of Warm Spaces across Sefton this winter. These include community centres, community hubs and other places offering a warm welcome and free to use for anyone struggling to heat their home.
To find your nearest Warm Space in Sefton click here.
Click here to visit the Here For You Directory – Sefton’s Voluntary, Community & Faith sector service directory.
Sefton Council Services
During Christmas and New Year, Sefton Council will provide restricted services. Most council buildings will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday 23 December, reopening at 9am on Friday 2 January, but residents can still access a range of information and transactions via the council website;
Visit: www.sefton.gov.uk/christmas-new-year-arrangements
An automated phone service on 0345 140 0845 which details helpful emergency points of contact will be in place from Wednesday 24 December 2024 until Monday 5 January 2025.
Services that will continue to operate include critical social care services for adults and children;
For more information on these services, including opening times on all non-bank holiday days visit:
www.sefton.gov.uk/christmas-new-year-arrangements/social-care
For both Adult and Children Social Care emergencies out of hours, please call:
Emergency Duty Team: 0151 934 3555
Healthcare Provisions in Sefton
Winter Wellbeing
With GP practices and most pharmacies closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, people are being urged to call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk for urgent help.
Please only dial 999 for life-threatening emergencies.
NHS App
You can also use the NHS App to get care and support to help you stay well.
It’s the quickest and easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is by using the NHS App. You use it to order your medication at a time that’s convenient for you and choose which pharmacy you would like to collect them from.
You can download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via Google play or the App store.
If you’re struggling to get started, use the ‘Help’ button in the app or visit www.nhs.uk/helpmeapp.
Pharmacies
People can get treatment for a range of common conditions through their high street pharmacy.
Highly trained pharmacists can assess and treat patients without the need for a GP appointment or prescription for the following conditions:
- – sinusitis
- – sore throat
- – earache
- – infected insect bite
- – impetigo
- – shingles
- – uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
You can use this link to find your nearest pharmacy and check the opening times.
Mental Health Support
In an emergency, or if you don’t feel that you can keep yourself safe, please contact 999 or visit A&E.
- – For children, families or professionals contact the CAMHS Crisis Line to speak directly to a mental health practitioner on 0808 196 3550 or 0151 293 3577.
- – For Childline call 0800 11 11
- – NHS 24hr Urgent support helpline Sefton & Liverpool call the 24/7 freephone helpline: 0800 145 6570. Text support for anyone. Text HEAL to 85258 for immediate support, available 24/7.
- – For the Samaritans call 116 123
- – CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) call 0800 585858 (5pm – midnight 365 days a year) or via their webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat
Sefton Crisis Cafes
Our Crisis Cafe’s in both Southport and Crosby can provide out of hours mental health support over the Christmas period. Telephone support can be arranged during opening hours.
For more info: call 0300 323 0197 or email crisiscafe@seftoncvs.org.uk
Christmas Period Opening Hours
- – Friday 26 December – 5pm – 11pm
- – Saturday 27 December – 5pm – 11pm
- – Sunday 28 December – 5pm – 11pm
New Year 2026
- – Friday 2 January – 5pm – 11pm
- – Saturday 3 January – 5pm – 11pm
- – Sunday 4 January – 5pm – 11pm
We operate a drop-in for anyone struggling with their mental health, but we advise people to call us first on 0300 323 0197 to check availability. For more information please click here.
Foodbanks
South Sefton Foodbank
St Leonards Youth & Community Centre
60 Peel Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 4RW
0151 933 1300 // info@southsefton.foodbank.org.uk // website
Please check the website for the latest information on provision over the Christmas period.
Southport Foodbank
Compassion Acts
Compassion Acts, Victoria Centre 197a Sussex Road, PR8 6DG
01704 264 505 // foodbank@compassionacts.uk // website
Please be aware that all the services will be closed from Wednesday 24 December and reopen Friday 2 January – with our Victoria Centre Foodbank 1pm – 3pm.
There will be an emergency Foodbank on Monday 29 January at the Victoria Centre 10am – 12pm.
Christmas Lunches and Activities
Emmaus Merseyside
Christmas Day breakfast, hot drinks, games, and good company.
No referral or booking required, arrive anytime between 12am – 2pm.
Venue: The Hub (onsite coffee shop), 42-44 Sandy Road, Seaforth, L21 3TW
More info and contact: emmaus.org.uk/merseyside
Change Grow Live (Bootle)
Christmas Day at their Bootle office for a brew, light breakfast and fun and games!
Open as a safe space for all between 9am – 1pm.
Venue: CGL, 2 Bridle Way, Bootle, L30 4UA
More info and contact: www.changegrowlive.org/service/sefton-drug-alcohol/bootle
The Southport District St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Free Christmas Day Lunch for anyone who would be alone or those who would like to have company, offering a sit-down meal at 1pm (12:30 arrival) with potential home delivery.
Venue: St Patrick’s Church, 35 Marshside Rd, Southport, PR9 9TJ
More info contact: Diane on 07704 006 877 or email SVPChristmas@gmail.com
The Old Bakehouse
‘Pay what you can’ Christmas Day Lunch with warm food and connection. Open to all looking for company with food served at 3pm. Advanced booking is essential with a maximum of 2 persons per booking.
Venue: The Old Bakehouse, 95 Zetland St, Southport, PR9 9DL
More info contact: 01704 335 494 or view the flyer here
Southport Soup Kitchen
Will be open on December 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th, 31st and again January 3rd, 4th between 12:30pm – 2pm providing hot food and company for those in need.
Venue: 75, London Street, Southport, United Kingdom, PR9 0TX
For more info visit: southportsoupkitchen.net or contact info@southportsoupkitchen.net
Southport Christmas Shelter
Are providing a warm and welcoming space serving breakfast, a hot/cold lunch and takeout dinner on December 24th, 25th and 26th from 8:30am – 2pm. They also have a selection of warm winter clothing for those in need.
Venue: Alchemy, 3 Mornington Rd, Southport, PR9 0TS
For more info contact xmasshelter.southport@gmail.com
Holiday’s, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme Winter 2025
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is designed to support children during the school holidays to eat more healthily, be more active and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition. Sefton Council are working with a range of schools, charities, community organisations and sports providers to create free holiday provision during the Christmas holidays.
Providers across Sefton are offering free to access holiday provision for those in reception to year 11 and in receipt of benefits related free school meals.
You can use the link here to see a full list of providers and further details on activities
Healthy Green Homes (formerly known as Affordable Warmth Service)
Vulnerable residents that find themselves in a no heat situation during the Christmas shutdown may be able to access a plug in oil filled radiator as a temporary heating source, until the Healthy Green Homes Team can help further in the New Year, from Monday 5 January.
To access an oil filled radiator please contact the community equipment stores on 0151 934 4088.
Energy Projects Plus, who allocate emergency fuel top up vouchers, will be open up until lunchtime on Christmas Eve (24 December) and reopen on Tuesday 2 of January.
Please see our website which provides information about what to do if a resident smells gas, has problems with water supply or power outage; Emergency Numbers (sefton.gov.uk).
Useful Phone Numbers:
Police (Non-Emergency) – 101
NHS (Non-Emergency) – 111
Sefton Council Main Number (Switchboard) – 0345 140 0845
Children’s Social Care – 0151 909 1206
Adult Social Care – 0151 909 1523
Social Care Emergency Duty Team – 0151 934 3555
Sefton Carers Centre (helpline) – 0151 288 6060