Thank you for working with Action for Refugees in Lewisham this year. The AFRIL office will be closed from Friday 23rd December 2022- Thursday 5th January 2022, and we look forward to supporting you in the new year.
Please see below a list of services and organisations who are able to offer support or advice over the holiday period. If you have urgent casework or advice needs, AFRIL are able to support you in the case of an emergency between Wednesday 28th-Friday 30th December. AFRIL however will be closed to new referrals of non-urgent cases during this time. If you require emergency support during these dates please contact our Advocacy and Advice Manager, Chloe, on 07549030328.
Housing
If you are facing immediate homelessness you can contact your Local Authority Housing Team who maintain a reduced service over the holiday period.
- Lewisham Council Homelessness Team 0808 178 0939. Lewisham Council Customer Service Centre 020 8314 6000.
- Greenwich Council Housing Inclusion Team Team 020 8921 2863. Greenwich Council Customer Service Center 020 8854 8888
- Southwark Homeless Persons Unit 0207 525 5000 and choose option 3
- Bromley Council Emergency Homeless Service 0300 303 8671. Bromley Council Customer Service Number 020 8464 3333
If you experience issues with Asylum Support Accommodation you can contact Migrant Help on 0808 8010 503 27/7, 365 days per week (including the festive period)
If you are homeless and are not able to access statutory housing you can contact Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 for support with accessing local homeless shelters.
If you are facing homelessness but do not have Recourse to Public Funds and have children, please contact the Local Authority Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.
- Lewisham 020 8314 6660
- Greenwich 020 8921 3172
- Southwark 020 7525 5000
- Bromley 030 0303 8671
Immigration
If you experience urgent immigration issues during the holiday period and require urgent support please contact Chloe on 07549030328 or email chloe@afril.org.uk between Wednesday 28th-Friday 30th December.
Some solicitor’s firms will have solicitor’s on call during the Christmas period, if you have a solicitor, please do contact them.
Food
Please see the link for food project opening times across Lewisham, and a list of free, local Christmas Meals: https://www.lewishamlocal.com/christmas-in-lewisham-useful-services-free-meals-and-free-food/
Mental Health
The following organisations will remain open as usual over the holiday period to provide wellbeing and mental health support
- Crisis Mental Health Line (South London and Maudsley 24 hour mental health support line) 0800 731 2864 – open every day.
- Silver Line Helpline offers conversation and is open 365 days a year 24 hours – 0800 470 8090
- Samaritans Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org– open 24/7
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or are having thoughts of harming yourself please call 999 or present at your local A&E department. Hospitals remain open over the holiday period and you can locate your closest A&E here: https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/other-services/Accident%20and%20emergency%20services/LocationSearch/428
Children and families
Please see the below links to activities for children over the festive period, these sessions are all free for children entitled to Free School Meals (you must book these in advance as they may have limited capacity).
- Lewisham: https://www.lewishamcfc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Winter-HAF-Programme.pdf
- Greenwich: https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/holidayfoodandfun
- Southwark: https://grange.southwark.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Southwarks-Winter-of-Food-and-Fun-promotional-flyer-2022.pdf
- Bromley: https://www.bromley.gov.uk/Holidayactivitiesandfoodprogramme
Children’s Social Services remain open during the festive period and should you have concerns about your family you can contact Local Authority Children’s Services at:
- Lewisham 020 8314 6660
- Greenwich 020 8921 3172
- Southwark 020 7525 5000
- Bromley 030 0303 8671