Christmas can be a daunting time for many families and individuals and knowing where to turn if you need support is absolutely vital. I will be working throughout Christmas so please do get in touch with me directly at [email protected] - emails will be monitored daily.
Cumbria County Council can provide urgent help and emergency support, including basic food and essential items, or if you are struggling to cope with your current situation for whatever reason, please call the county council’s Support Helpline on 0800 783 1966. Supportive staff will talk to you and suggest ways to help. You can also email [email protected] and you will receive a response within one working day.
Cumbria County Council has also produced a list of key contacts and opening hours. This includes organisations such as Citizens Advice, Credit Union, Phoenix Enterprise Centre and Howgill and can be downloaded directly from the bottom of this page.
Copeland Borough Council will be closed to the public – other than for emergency matters - from 5pm on Wednesday, December 23 until 9am on Monday, January 4.
The out-of-hours emergency number for issues relating to homelessness and domestic abuse support is 01946 598300.
For dangerous structures, call 01946 427121 out of office hours.
For flooding, sandbags requests for residential properties and serious food safety incidents, call 01946 427171 out of office hours. Alternatively, to request sandbags for residential properties, email [email protected].
Crematorium
The Chapel of Remembrance at Distington Hall Crematorium remains closed to the public at this time. However, the Book of Remembrance can be viewed online at https://www.copeland.gov.uk/ext/book-remembrance
Waste collections
Household recycling and waste collections scheduled for Friday, December 25 will be collected on Sunday, December 27.
Collections scheduled on Friday, January 1 will be collected on Saturday, January 2.
All other scheduled days over the Christmas period will be collected as normal.
The Beacon Museum
The Beacon Museum will close at 5pm on December 23 and will reopen at 10am on December 29, and will also close for one day on New Year’s Day.
Housing associations
Castles and Coasts:
The office will close at noon on December 24 and will re-open at 9am on January 4. During the Christmas break, the out-of-hours emergency service will available on 0800 085 1171 (alternatively contact the out-of-hours service directly by calling 0151 343 2978)
Home Group:
0345 141 4663
The contact centre is open as normal during the Christmas at the following times. Between December 25 and 28, the offices are closed except for emergencies, use the same number and it will be diverted to the out-of-hours emergency service.
Mon-21-Dec (7am – 8pm)
Tue-22-Dec (7am – 8pm)
Wed-23-Dec (7am – 8pm)
Thu-24-Dec (7am-5pm)
Fri-25-Dec ( Closed)
Sat-26-Dec (Closed)
Sun-27-Dec (Closed)
Mon-28-Dec (Closed)
Tue-29-Dec (7am – 8pm)
Wed-30-Dec (7am – 8pm)
Thu-31-Dec (7am – 8pm)
Fri-01-Jan (9am – 5pm)
Impact Housing:
03448 736 290
Services will close at 5pm on December 23 and reopen at 9am on January 4.
Impact tenants can continue to contact them on 03448 736 290 over the Christmas and New Year period for any emergency repairs or to report anti-social behaviour. These calls will be taken and actioned by its out-of-hours service provider.
Bereavement
Cruse has published a helpful leaflet with tips for those who are dealing with grief at Christmas, and those who are supporting them. The leaflet can be viewed here.
The Cruse helpline will be open for extended over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Helpline number is 0808 8081677. More information and the helpline hours can be found here.
Direct contact details for local food banks, women and children's centres, mental health and financial assistance as well as homelessness and housing support can also be found by downloading the document attached at the bottom of this page.