If you’re struggling over the Bank Holiday weekend, there’s people who can help.

While most people look forward to a long weekend, it can be difficult for others. Listed below are 11 groups offering emergency support to North East Lincolnshire residents.

Please remember, your GP practice will not be open on Bank Holiday Monday but there’s still expert advice, treatment, and support available.

Emergency services will be operating as usual, but you should only go to A&E or dial 999 in a real emergency. A&E and ambulances are only for if you are badly hurt, seriously ill, or if you have been advised to go there by NHS 111, your GP, or a pharmacist.

If you need health advice urgently (something that won’t wait until your GP practice opens on Tuesday), please get in touch with NHS 111 by visiting 111.nhs.uk. You can also phone 111, however, due to high demand on the service, it is likely that you will be sorted quicker online. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including bank holidays, you will get the help or advice you need. All you need to do is answer questions about your symptoms and you will then be directed to the right service.

Fortunately, most people do not need professional help for minor ailments and a lot of minor illnesses can be treated at home with a well-stocked medicine cabinet or first aid kit. Search for your ailment by visiting the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions for advice on how to treat yourself at home.

Remember, you can also visit a pharmacist. Pharmacists are highly qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses like sore throats, colds, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If your symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to direct you to the help you need. Find out which local pharmacies are open on Bank Holiday Monday by visiting the CCG website. The information is correct at the time of publishing, please check with the pharmacy before making a special journey.

Feeling well is not just a physical thing and longer weekends can be a difficult time for many people. Feelings of anxiety and depression can affect us all and the need for mental health support is normal. If you are struggling with how you are feeling, don’t try to do it alone, there is a support available:

NAViGO, offer 24/7 support for anyone going through a difficult time with their mental health. You can call NAViGO on 01472 256256, option 3 for 24/7 mental health support in North East Lincolnshire.

Shout 24/7 text support – in partnership with NAViGO. Text ORANGE to 85258.

The Silver Line is a nationwide confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK. It’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers telephone friendship for older people. Call 0800 4 70 80 90.

Qwell is a free online mental health and emotional wellbeing support service for adults, living in our area. They offer access to one-on-one online sessions with qualified counsellors, receive and provide peer-to-peer support through moderated online forums, and read and contribute to articles. To register, visit: www.qwell.io/hcv/urgent-support- external site.
Counsellors are available to chat via the website on:
Monday to Friday from 12:00pm to 10:00pm. Weekends from 6:00pm to 10:00pm

Kooth are an online mental wellbeing community that offer free, safe and anonymous support for young people. To access support, including discussion boards, a daily journal, and to chat with the team, visit Kooth.com- external site. Counsellors are available Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm and 6pm – 10pm on weekends.

Childline give support, information and advice for children on any topic they want to talk about, from bullying and education to drugs, alcohol and sexual abuse or anything else that’s worrying them. To get in touch, call 0800 1111.

NEL Bereavement Support Service is a partnership between the region’s providers, St Andrew’s Hospice, Care Plus Group and CRUSE Bereavement Care. The partnership provides a ranger of free confidential support services for adults and children. To get support call, 01472 250623. 

The National Bereavement Partnership provides a support helpline, counselling referral and befriending service for all those suffering from anxiety, grief or mental health issues.
To get support, call 0800 448 0800 or email Helpline@NationalBereavementPartnership.org.

The Samaritans are there to help. You do not need to have any credit or call allowance on your plan to call 116 123. You can also contact the Samaritans by emailing jo@samaritans.org.

Support with addiction/substance misuse: We Are With You is a charity that offers free, confidential support with drugs, alcohol or mental health.
To get in touch with the local team, call 01472 806890 or visit the website at: www.wearewithyou.org.uk– external site

Domestic violence and abuse Nobody should suffer being a victim of domestic violence or abuse. Our local domestic abuse support services are still offering a full range of support during the holiday season.
If you, or someone you know, is affected by domestic abuse, contact:

Women’s Aid NEL (who support individuals of all genders, abilities and sexual identities) by calling their 24-hour helpline on 01472 575757, or via email at support@womensaidnel.org. Alternatively visit www.womensaidnel.org– external site for more information and support if it is safe to do so.
If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of someone else, please 999 and ask for the Police. If you can’t speak, dial 999 and, when the operator is on the line, press 55 on your telephone keypad to still get help.
Alternatively, you can report non-emergency incidents to Humberside Police on 101.

“With another Bank Holiday upon us, we are encouraging people to familiarise themselves with what support is available in North East Lincolnshire over the long weekend. Things don’t always go to plan and it’s important to know where to turn if you find yourself or a family member injured, feeling unwell or struggling with your mental health” explains Dr Ekta Elston, Medical Director, North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

“There are plenty of places to get advice and treatment but as normal we are urging people to choose well and help us to keep services available for those that need them. Stocking up our first aid kit or medicine cabinet are really useful things we can all do, so that we can relax and enjoy the weekend”.