Support Services over the Festive Holiday 2024 - 2025

Keeping yourself, your friends and your family safe over the holiday period is so important. Please remember that help is always available, no matter what you or your friends are facing, and nobody should feel embarrassed about asking for help or support – it may be the most important thing that you ever do.

The Emergency Services operate as normal over the Christmas Holidays on 999 (or 101 for the PSNI). In addition, the organisations below are available to help you throughout the holiday period. These include Counselling Support, Housing Support and Foodbanks. They are also available to provide assistance at any time throughout the year.

COUNSELLING SUPPORT

Inspire Students - 0800 098 8816
Inspire Students is an independent source of support and counselling for all students at College. They can be contacted for free, confidential and immediate support on the above number, which is available 24/7, including
Christmas. If necessary, they can call you back.  Inspire can also be contacted through the Inspire Student Support Hub, where there is lots of useful advice and guidance. click here

Lifeline - 0808 808 8000
Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service. If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help. Calls to Lifeline are free and Lifeline counsellors are available 24/7 to listen and help in confidence.  Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.  


HOUSING SUPPORT

MACS provides a range of services for young people, including those experiencing homelessness issues. They can be contacted on 028 4461 6551 (Downpatrick) or 028 9264 6329 (Lisburn), or click here to visit their website.     

Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) provides information and advice on homelessness and can be contacted on 03448 920 90 (during office hours) or 03448 920 908 (Out of hours service Mon-Fri after 5.00pm and weekends).  In an emergency the Housing Executive can provide temporary emergency accommodation for young people at risk of exploitation or who are vulnerable in some way – contact them on 03448 920 908. For further information click here.     

Simon Community NI is a homelessness charity, working to support people who have no home; they can be contacted on 0800 1712222 or click here to visit their website.

Women’s Aid provide support and information in relation to domestic abuse. Full contact details can be found here.

FOOD BANKS 

SERC students and staff have been generously supporting local Food Banks which have been making a real difference to people’s lives. If you need to contact one of the Food Banks in your area, please email them on the details below and they will be in touch:  

 
Bangor: info@bangorni.foodbank.org.uk  
Ards: info@newtownards.foodbank.org.uk
Lisburn:  team@lisburnfoodbank.org     
Downpatrick: fountainfoodbank@gmail.com     

For a further list of Food Banks operating throughout Northern Ireland please click here.