Published 30th November 2022 by

The Christmas season can be a time when many of us are able to have a break and enjoy ourselves. But if you are looking after someone, it means that you may have quite a different experience – you may have more family and friends around to offer some support, but you and the person you care for may also face a range of challenges.

For example, you may be affected by:

  • some of your normal routine of activities and support not being held
  • not being able get a break from your caring role due to changes to services available
  • challenges in spending time with friends and family due to the needs of the person you care for or your caring responsibilities
  • feeling added pressures through the Christmas and New Year period. These could include financial pressures, or due to feeling people are not understanding your needs, or the needs of the person you care

There are steps you can take to help with this, and to know where the right support is available if you need it.

Plan ahead – and have an emergency plan

Thinking ahead and planning can make life easier for you and the person you look after – and for other people you spend time with over this period. Especially if the person you care for needs routine or finds it beneficial to be clear on what is happening.

Talk to family and friends about your plans, and raise any worries or concerns you have with them. Manage the expectations of family and friends, be realistic about what is doable or desirable for you and the person you care for, and chat through how certain parts of your plans may work. Say what you and the person you care for are likely to find helpful and useful, and what may be challenging.

Having an emergency plan in place for what would happen if something happened meaning you could not carry out your caring responsibilities is important at all times of year. If you do not have one in place this is something you can do. These services are free.

Find out more about emergency planning in Norfolk at carersmatternorfolk.org.uk/information-and-advice/your-rights/making-an-emergency-plan/

Asking for help and support

Talk to your family and friends. See what opportunities there are for you to have a break, or share caring responsibilities at times.

People may not be aware of what is involved in your caring role and its demands until you explain the situation to them. Particularly if they have not seen you or the person you care for recently, or there have been changes in your situation.

You may be able to use your carer personal budget to pay for a break (including homecare) or to be able to take a carer’s break. It is best to plan this in advance. Please contact us to find out more about what can be available to you.

Stay connected with support and other carers

There are activities available to carers that you can get involved in and ways you can be in contact with other carers.

See more about the groups available for carers in Norfolk at carersmatternorfolk.org.uk/groups/

You can also contact us to find out more about other opportunities available to you and see our directory at carersmatternorfolk.org.uk/carers-directory/ which has details of a range of organisations and services that can help you.

Check Christmas opening times

Some services may not be available during the normal hours during the Christmas period.

Depending on services you regularly use, it is worth checking the opening times of your GP, local pharmacy and other support you may need.

Local pharmacy opening times – You can find a list of local pharmacy opening times here.

Our Christmas opening hours

  • Friday 23 December: 9am-4.30pm
  • Monday 26 December: Closed (Bank Holiday)
  • Tuesday 27 December: Closed (Bank Holiday)
  • Wednesday 28 December: 9-4pm
  • Thursday 29 December: 9-4pm
  • Friday 30 December: 9-4pm
  • Monday 2 January: Closed (Bank Holiday)
  • Tuesday 3 January onwards: Usual opening hours

Staying warm

With colder weather, having the right advice and support for staying warm is important.

NHS advice suggests that when the weather drops below 8°C, some people are at increased risk of physical and mental health conditions; such as heart attack, stroke, pneumonia and depression. There is substantial evidence of the detrimental impact of fuel poverty on the physical and mental health of residents.

Caring Together have a session coming up on keeping warm and safe where you learn more about the links between warmth and health, advice on how to save energy and money this winter and help they may be entitled to and how to access it. Or if you need more urgent support, please contact us.

Support with your mental health and wellbeing

This time of year can be particularly demanding and you may benefit from support with your mental health, or from accessing support for the person you care for. Support is available for both of you.

For urgent help with mental health call the NHS on 111 and choose option 2.

You can talk to Samaritans anytime on 116 123, please remember their support is not just for those who are feeling suicidal. If you are under 19 you can contact Childline about anything. Whatever your worry, it is better out than in. Call 0800 1111.

First Response is a 24/7 helpline for people of all ages in Norfolk and Suffolk who need urgent mental health support. If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed or worried about your mental health you can call the helpline on 0808 196 3494. Find out more at www.nsft.nhs.uk/first-response/

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust have resources about mental health conditions available at www.nsft.nhs.uk/mental-health-conditions

If you are feeling stressed, anxious low or depressed WellbeingNandS can help. You can visit their website at www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/norfolk/ or call their non-emergency number of 0300 123 1503.

Norfolk and Waveney Mind have a range of support and resources available to help whether you are managing your own mental health problem or supporting someone else with theirs. See www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk/ or call 0300 330 5488.

Emergency numbers

If you need help with your care or need to report an adult at risk of harm in Norfolk you can contact Norfolk County Council by phone or text relay.

Telephone: 0344 800 8020 – this number is open 24 hours a day

Text relay: 18001 0344 800 8020 – for people with hearing or speech impairments

In an emergency call 999