In the run up to Easter, Buckinghamshire Council wants
to highlight where families and individuals can seek emergency help and
support if they need it over the holiday period.
While most Buckinghamshire residents are looking
forward to Easter, it can also present extra challenges for some households.
For anyone needing help with food and emergency support
over Easter, please see the information below:
- If
you need emergency support or help with food and/or energy, please
contact the council’s Helping Hand service using the online form or by calling 01296 531 151.
The service is available during usual office hours and is closed at
weekends and on the public holiday days over Easter.
- If
you or someone you know is in significant and immediate need of food and
cannot wait until the next working day when the Helping Hand service is
open, and has no other avenue to help, please contact the Emergency
Social Work Team on
0800 999 77767.
- You
can find out more information about the service and other support
available on the council’s Help with the cost of living webpage.
- Many
foodbanks will be operating different opening days and times over the
Easter holidays – residents who need to access a foodbank will need a
referral from the council’s Helping Hand service or another similar
support service. So please contact the Helping Hand service in the first
instance if you need to use a foodbank.
- Support
from Citizens Advice Bucks is available on the Citizens Advice Bucks website, or you
can call the national advice line on 0800 144 8848 if you need
immediate advice.
- If you are feeling low, finding this time of year
challenging or lonely or are experiencing difficulty with your mental
health, you are not alone, so please reach out for support. You can find
out the best ways to seek help and advice on the council’s Mental health webpage.
Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member
for Communities, said:
“We know that while most of us are looking forward to
Easter, for some Buckinghamshire households it can be challenging time of
year, and some people may need to access some extra help or support. This is
why we want to make sure everyone knows what help is available if they need
it.
“Please can I ask that you pass on this information to
friends, neighbours and within local networks too. Together, we can make sure
everyone has the support they need during this time.” |