Stockton Borough Council

While everyone is being told to stay at home, it can be hard to know what to do if you're unwell.

• For help from a GP – use your GP surgery's website, use an online service or app, or call the surgery.
• For urgent medical help – use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111 if you're unable to get help online.
• For life-threatening emergencies – call 999 for an ambulance.

If you're advised to go to hospital, it's important to go.

The Stockton Information Directory provides information and advice on a range of services and opportunities for adults across the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. The variety of services include information on where local groups and leisure activities are taking place, what help you can get to remain in your own home, housing and care home information and much more.

https://www.stocktoninformationdirectory.org/kb5/stockton/directory/adult.page?adultchannel=0

SDAIS (Citizens Advice Bureau) provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

For further information contact Stockton District Advice and Information Service.

Advice Line: 03442 451295

For mobiles: 0300 3300650

For appointments: 01642 633877

Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Food banks provide emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK.

There are organisations which can help, the most up to date details of which can be found on the SWAN website.

Trussell Trust Food Bank Centre

The Trussell Trust Food Bank Network works in partnership with local churches and organisations to bring Food Banks to communities across the UK. The Trussell Trust runs a Food Bank Centre in Billingham.

Address: Billingham Foodbank Distribution Centre, 4-6 West Precinct, Billingham Town Centre (near Boyes), TS23 2NH.

Telephone: 07583 575522

Visit the Trussell Trust Foodbank website for further information.

https://billinghamstocktonborough.foodbank.org.ukParkfield Pantry

Volunteers serve a cooked breakfast to people feeling the credit crunch and provide information or signpost to relevant agencies to help the diners. They also try to provide clothing and arrange organisations, such as the Fire Brigade to give advice on how to keep safe.

For more information contact Parkfield Pantry on 01642 874569.

A directory has been produced giving details of organisations that can provide emergency food assistance to people in Stockton Borough. The Emergency Food Aid Information Directory https://www.stockton.gov.uk/media/1962001/christmas-food-directory-december-2020.pdf is based on information supplied by organisations and indicates the type of assistance available, where and when the assistance is available and if any referral is required to access the service.

https://www.stockton.gov.uk/our-council/housing-benefit/where-to-get-help-and-advice/food-banks/

Our Welfare Rights Service provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice and information on welfare benefits to Stockton Borough Council residents. The service recognises that individuals must make their own decisions and so we aim to provide individuals with the information to be able to exercise their rights.

Acting on Your Behalf
If you have recently had a social security benefit claim turned down and are appealing against this, we may be able to act on your behalf if you are referred to us by any of the following: 

• A Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council service, for example:

  - Adult or Children’s Services

  - Blue Badge Customer Services

  - Housing Options

  - Revenues and Benefits Service

• Stockton and District Advice and Information Service
• Your MP
• Your Ward Councillor

Alternatively if you are a member of the armed forces community, including dependent families (regular personnel, reservists, veterans, bereaved), please contact us.

If you are receiving a service from any of the agencies listed above, please ask your key worker to make a referral to us.

Contact Welfare Rights

Telephone: 01642 526141 
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 5pm, Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm, Closed Saturday

https://www.stockton.gov.uk/our-council/housing-benefit/where-to-get-help-and-advice/

If you are in concerned about your bills, speak to your supplier as payments could be reassessed, reduced or paused.

If you, or someone you know, is vulnerable such is of pensionable age, has children under 5, a disability or long-term medical condition, it is important to let your energy supplier know immediately. Each energy supplier keeps a Priority Services Register of people who may need additional assistance.

Here is a list of the energy companies and contact details for your reference.

• British Gas - call 0333 202 9802
• EDF - call 0333 200 5100
• on - call 0345 052 0000
• Npower - call 0800 073 3000
• Scottish Power - call 0800 027 0072
• SSE - call 0345 026 2658
• Bulb - call 0300 303 0635
• Co-op Energy - call 0800 093 7547
• E Energy - call 0333 103 9575
• Green Network Energy - call 0800 520 0202
• Green Star Energy - call 0800 012 4510
• Omni Energy - call 0113 457 3219
• Ovo - call 0330 102 7517
• Robin Hood Energy - call 0800 030 4567
• Utilita - call 0345 207 2000

https://www.stockton.gov.uk/our-council/housing-benefit/where-to-get-help-and-advice/

• 0808 802 0300
• www.suzylamplugh.org 
• The National Stalking Helpline provides practical advice and information to anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking. The Team can provide information and guidance on the law in relation to stalking and harassment in the United Kingdom, reporting stalking or harassment, effective gathering of evidence, ensuring your personal safety and that of your friends and family and practical steps to reduce the risk. English only spoken.

• 0808 168 9111 Supportline 
• www.victimsupport.org.uk 
• supportline@victimsupport.org.uk 

Supportline is a free national telephone helpline offering immediate emotional support as well as helpful information and practical advice over the phone to anyone in England and Wales affected by crime. You can talk to fully trained staff in confidence (and anonymously if you prefer). The service is also independent of the police and anyone can contact the helpline for support, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it took place. The Supportline is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Further support includes signposting to local services for ongoing support or organisations offering specialist support

Freephone 24 Hour Domestic Violence Helpline is a national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. The Helpline can give support, help and information over the telephone, wherever the caller might be in the country. The Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and is run by fully trained female helpline support workers and volunteers. All calls are completely confidential. Translation facilities for callers whose first language is not English, and a service for callers who are deaf or hard of hearing, are available. In addition to offering confidential support and information, Helpline staff are a source of practical help and information about housing rights and entitlements, information on getting injunctions or reassurance about calling the police. Men calling the Helpline will be also provided with initial support and will be signposted to specialist services that work with male victims of abuse. The Helpline is a crisis service that prioritises the safety of women and children and will assist them to a place of safety in a refuge if that is necessary or will empower them with information and support to make their own arrangements for safety. Where necessary the Helpline will signpost callers to the most appropriate national, regional or local service or agency. Calls to 0808 numbers are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK.

08082000247

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Child safety week is about accident prevention and training. "Accident prevention is not about restricting children or wrapping them up in cotton wool, instead it is about creating safer environments, both in the home and elsewhere, to enable children to thrive and lead a healthy active life.".

Please share, as it may one day save a life! 

Here is some tips to keeping your little ones safe around water 

Are you looking for support to encourage your child to talk and communicate more? Our local Family Hub are offering these free sessions, every Wednesday..

Could your 2 year old be eligible for 15 hours FREE CHILDCARE?? Why not apply today!

Please note if you need any support please feel free to contact the nursery on 01642 803190.

https://www.stockton.gov.uk/.../help-with-the-cost-of.../

Help towards the cost of childcare is available!!

Contact the nursery for more information on
01642 803190 

Or visit  https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/