Christmas can be a difficult time for many people. Knowing where to go to if you need support or someone to talk about issues such as mental health, loneliness and not having enough food to eat is vital. This is why we have put together a list of resources, including free Christmas dinners and get-togethers, numbers to call and when we’re available to provide advocacy.

Support available during Christmas

Rainbow Junktion Cafe – PAYF meals
The Rainbow Junktion Cafe at All Hallows’ Church, Regent Terrace, Leeds LS6 1NP is holding Pay As You Feel (PAYF) meals on the following dates from 11am-3pm

  • Monday 23rd December
  • Thursday 26th December
  • Friday 27th December

Rainbow Christmas Dinner
Rainbow Junktion is also hosting a free Christmas Dinner for anyone who is lonely and/or doesn’t have enough food on Christmas Day. The dinner is from 12 Noon-3pm and at this address: All Hallows’ Church, 24 Regent Terrace, Leeds LS6 1NP.

Alternatively Vegan Cafe – Free Christmas Lunch
On Christmas Day from 1pm-4pm, the Alternatively Vegan Cafe in Pudsey is offering a free meal to anyone who is lonely at Christmas. Their address is 118 Richardshaw Lane, Pudsey, LS28 6BN.
St George’s Crypt
During Christmas, St George’s Crypt in Leeds City Centre usually offer support such as a hot meal for homeless people in Leeds. If you are homeless and want to find out what support they can offer, please contact them by calling 0113 245 9061 or emailing [email protected].
Leeds North & West Foodbank
In the days around Christmas, Leeds North and West Foodbank should have food parcels available if you can’t afford to buy food. Their branches are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day (Hawksworth is closed on the 27th too). Otherwise, their branches will be open. Please note that you need a voucher issued by local agencies to access their services.

Leeds South & East Foodbank
Leeds South and East Foodbank are available if you live in the south or east of the city. Please note that you need a voucher issued by local agencies to access their services.

Leeds Food Aid Network – Food Drop-ins
Leeds Food Aid Network run a number of soup kitchens which will be open around Christmas time for people who are in need. You don’t need to be homeless to access these.

Numbers to call

  • Dial House (Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service): 0113 260 9328*
  • Dial House at Touchstone: 0113 249 4675
  • Teen Connect Helpline: 0808 800 1212
  • Chapeltown Citizens Advice: 0113 262 2281
  • Leeds Citizens Advice: 0113 223 4400
  • Samaritans: 116 123*
  • Shelter Housing Advice Line: 0808 800 4444*
  • Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline: 0300 330 0630
  • NHS non-emergency helpline number: 111*
  • West Yorkshire Police non-emergency number: 101*
  • Live Well Leeds: 0113 219 2727
  • Leeds Mind: 0113 305 5800
  • Carers Leeds advice line: 0113 380 4300
  • Advonet main office number: 0113 244 0606

*These numbers will be available during one or more of the following days: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day
MindWell have put together an online resource with a list of resources for if you are experiencing mental health difficulties. You can find it at this link: https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/i-need-help-now#/

Support from Advonet

Our office will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve during normal hours, as well as on all other weekdays during Christmas except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. For more information on office opening days, please click here:
If you have an enquiry about our advocacy services, you can call us during those dates on 0113 244 0606 from 9am to 5pm.
Leeds Autism AIM have put together an information booklet for autistic people on support at Christmas. It includes some of the information in this blog post, as well as when public transport is running, when the shops are open and some of their #XmasAutisticLifeHacks.
It can be downloaded as a PDF here: https://leedsautismaim.wordpress.com/2019/12/10/christmas-2019-leeds-autism-aims-information-booklet/