I know Christmas can be a difficult time of year for many of our Online Community users. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when support services can be closed or offer reduced hours.
Here’s a guide to getting the support you need over the festive period.
Emotional support
The Cruse Bereavement helpline is open every day over Christmas, but closed Monday 2 January. Call 0844 477 9400 to speak to one of their bereavement support volunteer. See full details of opening hours .
Chris from the Family Support team at our Wheatfields Hospice has also shared her advice on coping with bereavement at Christmas over on the blog.
The Marie Curie helpline is open every day between over Christmas, offering information and support for anyone affected by terminal illness. Call 0800 090 2309. See full details of opening hours .
The Samaritans is open 24/7 all year round on 116 123 (UK) or 116 123 (ROI).
Medical help
If you are under the care of a healthcare team, check whether they have an out-of-hours contact number for any medical issues over the Christmas period. All GP services will have emergency cover details - please use your regular GP number to obtain out of hours contact details. In a medical emergency please dial 999.
Support each other
One good place to get support is right here on the Sue Ryder Online Community. As ever, this site is available 24/7 for you to share your feelings and support each other through this difficult time of year.
Here are some recent conversations where people are talking about struggling at Christmas. Feel free to join in with any of these by adding your own reply, and keep posting if you find that it helps.
Christmas after losing a loved one:
https://support.sueryder.org/community/life-after-bereavement/dreading-christmas
https://support.sueryder.org/community/life-after-bereavement/christmas-cards
https://support.sueryder.org/community/life-after-bereavement/christmas
https://support.sueryder.org/community/life-after-bereavement/lost-my-mum-dreading-christmas-and-what-it-will-be
Christmas when someone is terminally ill:
https://support.sueryder.org/community/dealing-diagnosis/finding-it-hard-enjoy-christmas
I or another member of the Sue Ryder team will be checking the site daily, so you can still let us know about any issues by clicking the ‘report’ button under a post or emailing online.community@sueryder.org.
However, we will have limited cover, so we will prioritise urgent issues, and might take longer than normal to get back to you.