Mental health & family support
If you are concerned about yourself, a neighbour, friend, or family member struggling during this time, please contact us.
Our phone lines are open from 9am (10am Wednesdays) to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can call us on 01524 582000 or email us at customerservices@lancaster.gov.uk.
See below for support services and organisations.
Lancaster District Directory
Serving Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and surrounding areas. Find support for your health and wellbeing, join social activities, and get help with cost-of-living problems.
Benefits and support
Housing benefit and council tax support are schemes designed to help those on low incomes meet their rent and council tax payments.
Help for households
In July 2022, the government announced that retail deals and discounts to help families over the summer holidays have been launched as part of the Help for Households campaign.
These deals have been signed with various businesses, including Asda, Morrisons, Amazon and Vodafone and are designed to reduce costs at the checkout, help provide entertainment and ensure access to necessary services for families during the summer holidays and beyond.
Local wellbeing services
Feeling lonely, or in need of a chat? Or do you need assistance with your day to day activities? There are local services to assist with with your mental health and wellbeing, and to help you get by.
Socialease
SAFE is an organisation that works with young people and adults going through mental health issues and other life challenges. SAFE run a group called Socialease.
Socialease is for any adult 18+ who may be experiencing isolation or loneliness due to health or other reasons. Socialease provides a space for people to make the first step out of the house and come and meet others who have been going through similar experiences. It is a chance to talk to those people, get involved in group discussions or activities or just ‘be’. There is a table card system which enables the person to choose their level of engagement within the session.
People can join the group and stay for as long or as little as they wish and can come along with someone else for the first few times if this is more comfortable.
Contact Keeley (SAFE Manager): 07568937988 / propupproject@gmail.com
- Tuesday 10am-12pm Brew me Sunshine, Morecambe, Victoria Street – in the back room of the café. Currently Fortnightly.
- Wednesday 2pm-4pm Cornerstone Café, Lancaster, Sulyard Street.
Visit the Socialease Facebook page - Here.
St John's Hospice - Grief Café
A free monthly drop in session for anyone experiencing grief.
This is a chance for reflection and to share experiences with others in a relaxed environment.
Every 2nd Tuesday of each month 3:30pm - 5pm at The Courtyard Café.
- Contact Lorna Brown for more information: Lorna.brown1@sjhospice.org.uk
- Visit the St John's Hospice website
AgeUK Lancashire Good Day Call Service
Are you feeling lonely? Or perhaps you have an older relative who would enjoy a regular chat?
AgeUK's friendly team will make a regular call to chat about anything from current affairs, interests and share some laughs, as well as making sure you have everything you need to try to solve any problems you may have.
Available to people aged 65+ who are currently living in Lancashire.
Service operates: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
To sign up or find out more:
- Call 0300 303 1234
- Email gooddaycalls@ageuklancs.org.uk / advice@ageuklancs.org.uk
- Visit the AgeUK Lancashire website
The Adullam Programme
The Adullam Programme is a self-referral, voluntary programme available to give people a second chance at life regardless of their background. They provide support for those struggling with isolation and/or poor mental health within a safe and healthy community as well as a pathway for people to be given the opportunity, self-confidence and tools they need to overcome their struggles, as well as fulfil their potential and find their purpose.
- To find out about the various courses on offer, please visit https://www.adullamprogramme.co.uk/ or their Facebook page, or call 07449373979 / 07861653978
Red Rose Recovery
Red Rose Recovery are a positive thinking community of volunteers and workers providing a support platform to individuals and their families from vulnerable groups, helping them to improve their wellbeing, reduce their dependency on drugs and/or alcohol, develop themselves and create thriving, sustainable communities.
In addition, they have experience of supporting military veterans. Please get in touch if you are ex-military to discover what activities you can engage in.
- Call 07753223735 or message them via their online form.
- View the online calendar for upcoming groups and sessions. What's On - Red Rose Recovery.
Lancashire Victim Services
Lancashire Victim Services has been established by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire to provide support to victims and witnesses of crime across the county. If you have been a victim or have witnessed a crime, even if you haven’t reported it to the police, we are here to help. We provide emotional support, information and practical help to anyone who needs it. All services are free of charge.
- Call 0300 323 0085 / info@lancashirevictimservices.org / complete the online contact form / or you can write to us: Lancashire Victim Services, Ringway House, Percy Street, Preston, PR1 1HQ.
Bay Buddies
Bay Buddies are a support group for anyone with a brain injury or traumatic head injury. They aim to reduce isolation and depression in people with either of these injuries. Now available to meet for face-to-face sessions and offer one-to-one sessions at the Festival Market in Morecambe.
A walk and talk support group also runs on Morecambe Promenade every Saturday morning at 11am from the Midland Hotel.
- For more information, visit Bay Buddies Facebook page, or contact baybuddies@hotmail.com / 07947342425
The Parkinson's UK Lancaster and Morecambe Support Group
The Parkinson's UK Lancaster and Morecambe Support Group meet every Friday afternoon, between 11am-1pm at Slyne with Hest Church Hall, Shady Lane, Lancaster, LA2 6JG.
The aim of the group is to provide support information, exercise, and social opportunities. The emphasis is on informality and all are welcome to drop in.
There is a one hour dance and movement session which is specifically designed for people with Parkinson's. There are a library of books, and information sheets, and a file of contacts to signpost people to various agencies. Occasionally there are guest speakers, entertainment, lunches and days out during the year. Tea and coffee is always to hand.
A donation of £2.50 per person is requested.
Find out more here.
Lancaster Men's Hub
Welcome to Lancaster Men's Hub; we are a local charity created to support men of all ages in the Lancaster area with their physical and mental health through a wide variety of activities. Our goal can be summed up in three words : 'wellbeing through doing'.
What we do:
LMH doesn’t provide therapy or counselling. Instead, we provide opportunities to enjoy shared activities in a safe environment and allow people to socialise and form friendships. Our focus is the wellbeing of men, but both women and men are welcome in LMH.
Of course, if you’re so inclined, we can always use help in setting up and running events. Volunteers are always needed and volunteering is good for everyone - as one member said, "Helping you helps me."
Find out more here.
Local support services
Citizens Advice North Lancashire
- 01524 400 404 for booking an appointment
- enquiries@northlancashirecab.org.uk for advice by email
Can help with benefits checks, benefit applications, housing issues, employment problems, all kinds of debt, issues with bills, suppliers, the cost of living or unfair practices, budgeting advice or referrals into foodbanks, food clubs or wellbeing services locally, help with the current Cost of Living Crisis can be found - Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice
There are free spaces available to find out all about;
Support with Fuel Debt. To find out more click here. (PDF, 99KB)
Our service is free and confidential.
- www.northlancashirecab.org.uk
- 89-91 Queen St, Morecambe LA4 5EN
- 5 George St, Lancaster, LA1 1XQ
Bay Volunteers
Bay Volunteers is a community-based project, run by Hope Church, Lancaster, that offers support for the needs of people and communities in the Lancaster District.
Volunteers can help with picking up shopping and prescriptions, picking up or delivering post and parcels, regular call listening if you are lonely or need someone to talk to.
Support can be for one-off requests, or for ongoing support.
- You can request support via the Bay Volunteers website - Here or by calling Lancaster City Council Community Hub on 01524 582000, a Customer Service Advisor will process the volunteer request on your behalf.
If you are interested in supporting Bay Volunteers by becoming a volunteer, you can also do this via the Bay Volunteers website - Here.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) debt help
"Free debt counselling in your community from an award winning charity"
Christians Against Poverty offer a totally free service which works with you to help address your debts. The service is committed to being available to all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Helpline for debt help open: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 5pm, Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm.
Contact the debt helpline on: 0800 328 0006
For more information, visit the Christians Against Poverty Website - Here.
Barnardo's - Cost of Living Helpline
As a result of the ongoing Cost-Of-Living crisis, Barnardos has set up a dedicated Helpline to support parents and young people across the UK.
This is currently an additional resource for families being supported by Barnardo's. We hope to extend this offer outside of Barnardo's in the near future.
Please see our Helpline flyer here. (PDF, 11.7MB)
If you are struggling with the cost of managing your household, worried about how you are going to pay the bills, feeling the squeeze on your finances, we can help. This type of worry can not only impact financially but also emotionally. Don’t suffer in silence or think that you are alone. Call the Barnardos Cost-Of-Living Helpline to speak to one of our Advisors.
Contact the helpine on 0808 500 0045 or email at COLhelpline@barnardos.org.uk.
For more information please click here.
Lancaster City Council - Homeless Support
If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless we urge you to contact our Housing Options Team as soon as possible for help. Our team of experienced officers can provide you with advice and assistance to resolve your housing issue - whether its to help you remain in your current accommodation or to find a suitable alternative.
- During office hours call 01524 582257
- At weekends and when the office is closed call 01524 6709
For more information visit https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk
Lancaster City Council - Council Housing
Lancaster City Council is a social housing provider. A key function of social housing is to provide affordable accommodation for people.
All of our properties are now advertised through our own lettings website called Ideal Choice Homes.
If you are interested in applying for a home, or would like to browse our available properties then please visit Ideal Choice Homes for more information about who can use the service, how you can apply and other frequently asked questions.
Contact the helpline on 01524 582005 or councilhousing@lancaster.gov.uk for advice by email.
Healthwatch Lancashire
Healthwatch Lancashire are an independent organisation set up to champion the views of patients and social care users in Lancashire, with the goal of making services better and improving health and wellbeing.
Healthwatch Lancashire is the public voice for health and social care in Lancashire and exists to make services work for the people who use them.
We believe that the best way to do this is by providing the people of Lancashire with opportunities to share their views and experiences.
Our focus is on understanding the needs, experiences and concerns of people of all backgrounds who use services and to speak out on their behalf. It is often those closest to the process who are best placed to give useful feedback on the way services work and how they can be improved.
For more information visit https://healthwatchlancashire.co.uk/about-us/
Carers Link Lancashire
Carers Link Lancashire and n-compass Northwest working together in partnership to deliver carers services across Lancashire.
For many years adult carers living in Lancashire have been supported by Carers services which have been run independently. The good news is that from 1st July 2019 a new service has been commissioned bringing the two entities; Carers Link Lancashire and n-compass Northwest together.
We will work in a new partnership called The Lancashire Carers Service which will deliver support for all.
To find out more click here.
Attached here are some documents explaining more - Winter Magazine (PDF, 4.9MB) & March Leaflet 2022 (PDF, 1.1MB)
Lancashire Adult Learning
Lancashire Adult Learning (LAL) aims to provide learning opportunities for all adults across the region.
LAL currently offers an extensive range of subjects to learners, with over 2000 courses delivered through more than 300 venues across Lancashire. We engage over 14,000 learners, many of whom have very diverse motivations for engaging with LAL’s offer, and makes us one of the UK’s largest Adult Community Learning Providers.
To find out more click here.
Attached is a document explaining more -LAL - Cost of Living Flyer (PDF, 51KB)
ICANN
Independent Community Advocacy Network North is a Lancashire based advocacy charity providing advocacy services within Lancashire, as well as the rest of the North West. As an experienced independent advocacy organisation, we can provide both private instructed and non-instructed advocacy commissions. The advocacy support which is available could range from helping parents going through the child protection process, providing Relevant Persons Representatives (RPRs), and also assisting young people with disabilities to challenge education choices that are being made on their behalf.
To find out more click here.
Attached is a document explaining more - Lancashire Benefits Advocacy Service (PDF, 3.2MB)
Holiday Activity Fund / Happy Healthy Holidays
Funded by the Department for Education, 'Happy Healthy Holidays' provides a great opportunity for local children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals to get out and about, get active and meet new friends. The sessions include a variety of fun activities alongside a nutritious meal each day.
Anyone with any queries on the programme can email HAF@lancaster.gov.uk and someone will be in touch.
National support and wellbeing services
- Alzheimer's Association • Tips for Caregivers
- BEAT Eating Disorders
- Big White Wall • Counselling for over-18s
- British Heart Foundation
- British Lung Foundation
- Childline
- Cost of Living Support
- Diabetes UK
- Frank: Drug and Alcohol Support • Call 0300 123 6600
- Freegle
- Freinds Against Scams
- Gingerbread
- Help for Households
- Kidney Care UK
- Kooth • Counselling for under-18s
- Lancashire Carers Service - 0345 688 7113 option 2
- Mind • Email • Call 0300 123 3393 • Text 86463
- NHS • Call 111
- NSPCC
- Parkinsons UK
- Public Health England
- Samaritans • Call 116 123 (free to call from all phones) • Email jo@samaritans.org (response time 24 hours)
- Shelter
- Stroke Association
These organisations are independent of the council. Reference to these different organisations is provided for information purposes only. We cannot give any guarantees as to their work and we cannot be held responsible for the quality of their advice and any support you may receive from them. The details included on this page were correct at the time of input, please visit the websites or use the contact details provided if you have any uncertainty around changes to times and days.