Need support over the festive period?

The LRMN offices will be closed from the 22nd December until the 2nd January 2023.
Please note that there might be slight delay in email correspondence once offices reopen.

During this time, if you are an existing LRMN client and have been detained and/or received removal directions, please contact emergency@lrmn.org.uk

Unfortunately we will not be able to provide emergency support for any other issues.

Services

Lewisham Warm Welcomes has a list of up-to-date location available here. Community centres, libraries, faith groups and more offer drop-in spaces free of charge where they provide hot drinks, some hot food, social activities and additional support.

Lewisham Council’s Customer Service Centre is open every day 24/7, call 020 8314 6000.

Crisis Mental Health Line (South London and Maudsley’s 24 hour mental health support line) is also open every day, call them on 0800 731 2864.

For other mental health support, the Samaritans will be open for calls on 116 123.
For older people, Age UK runs The Silver Line on 0800 470 8090 if you fancy a chat, they’re open 24/7 every day.

Social services Gateway are open until 4pm on Christmas Eve, and on the 27th, 28th and 29th. On other dates, they are staffed by Emergency Duty Team. The out of hours number is 0208 430 2000.

Lewisham Healthy Walks allows you to get a little exercise with others during the winter period. You can see all the information on that here.

HAF (Children’s Winter Holiday Programme) is organising free activities and lunches for school-aged children and young people aged 4-16 years who receive benefit related Free School Meals from 21st December to 5th January.
Find out more here.

The Brook Hub at 29th Brook Lane BR1 4PU is open on Mondays 9:30am-2pm for a free lunch at 12:30pm and a Craft Club/Scrabble Club from 1-2pm. They also offer free Wifi and baby/toddler play space from 9:30-11:30am.

For Food over the Christmas period

Check out Good Food Lewisham’s list of free and cheap food here.

Lewisham Foodbank, will be open as usual on 22rd December (Catford Salvation Army). The Food bank will then be closed and reopen on the 2nd of January (Foodbank Warehouse) and 3rd of January (St John the Baptist Church Downham).
Email info@lewisham.foodbank.org.uk or call 07938 071854 for more information.

The Rastafari Movement UK will be continuing deliveries as normal until 20 December. There will be no delivery on the 26 and 27 December or 2 and 3 January. Normal opening times will resume on Monday 9 January. You’ll need to contribute £2-£4. Email rmukwellbeing@gmail.com or phone on 07769 813799 for more information or to make a referral. For emergency food requests or to offer food donations, please call Chi on 07377871228 or Derwin on 07879652645.

Lewington Food Project  at Lewington Community Centre, 9 Eugenia Road, SE16 2RU. A food bank for local residents. They are open Fridays 1-3pm but do call them ahead of time, especially for referrals, deliveries and dietary requirements.
Contact: 07940 393291 

Lewisham Donation Hub, Unit D, PLACE/Ladywell, SE13 6AY
You can pick up food, clothing and home essentials. They offer a range of fresh and frozen foods, and a more limited selection of non-perishables, toiletries, women’s essentials and incontinency pads. No booking required but do check the website ahead of visiting!
Check out their up-to-date hours here as service is weather-dependent.
https://lewishamdonationhub.org/

For Christmas dinner

Barley Loaves, The Ecclēsia (London City Mission) 1 Cornmill Lane, Lewisham SE13 7FY, will be serving the public on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, both Sunday evenings from 8pm. Their services are alternatives between men and women each week but food spare will be given to anyone regardless of gender. Check ahead of time with barleyloaves@ecclesia.uk

The UKCG Soup Kitchen in Catford, UCKG Help Centre, 1 Bromley Road Catford, SE6 2TS, 020 8698 3612, are open as usual.
Christmas lunch is provided on 23rd December from 11-1pm. 

Cummin’ Up Caribbean Restaurant & Takeaway, Catford, 389 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6NZ are providing a free hot festive meal on 25th December at 1pm. Get in touch at 07831423163.

Christ Church United Reformed Church Bellingham, 15 Bellingham Green, London SE6 3HQ. A Christmas Meal is served Friday 22nd December 12:30-1:30 (as well as a meal on Friday 29th December 12:30-1:30), followed by various activities until 4:30pm. Book in advance by messaging Fiona on 07905889260 or info@ftconsults.co.uk

Ichthus Community Table, Ichthus Lee Green, 23 Lampmead Rd, London SE12 8QJ are providing Christmas dinner on 22nd December at 1.30pm. They are also doing food hamper deliveries on Christmas Eve for which people can sign up. Closed for one week on 29th December.

Pie n Mash are offering a Christmas meal at Deptford Square (opposite Deptford Lounge, corner of Giffin Street and Deptford High Street) on Thurs 21st December from 2:30 pm, groceries and food distributed 1-3:30pm. Closed on Thursday 28th.

Hill Station Cafe on Kitto Road, SE14 5TY, is open on 26th December 11am-5pm for some basic hot drinks, squash and biscuits (not a meal).

Check out even more places here.

If you are feeling unsafe…

Women’s Aid has great safety and support resources for survivors, friends, family, neighbours and community members.

If you need housing services…

If you need emergency housing, find a shelter by entering a postcode here.