Axia Christmas Closing Times 2024

Posted on December 17, 2024 by

Evie Connor Posted in News — No Comments ↓

Our office will close
at 4.45pm on Friday 20^th December 2024
and will reopen at 9am on Thursday 2^nd January 2025

We would like to thank you all for your continued support throughout 2024, and we look forward to seeing some more of you at our Post Diagnostic Support Groups in the new year.

While some people look forward to and enjoy the festive season, other people find it a trickier time that presents some challenges. For some people, there will be lots of change, social interaction, expectations and demands to negotiate as well as sensory considerations to manage.

Here are a few useful links, including some useful overviews from the National Autistic Society:

National Autistic Society – Christmas tips for Autistic people and their families
Mind – Tips for coping during Christmas
Samaritans – If you’re finding things hard this festive season
Spaced Out and Smiling – 3 tips Autism friendly Christmas

For some people, Christmas can be an especially difficult time when they feel very low: www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/social-life-blog/2015/dec/16/austistic-christmas-festive-social-expectations

If you need help this Christmas, there are a number of organisations that can provide support:

The Samaritans are available round the clock every single day of the year, even Christmas day. They can be contacted on (0114) 2767277 or 116 123, or you can email jo@samaritans.org.
PAPYRUS HOPEline is a charity for the prevention of young suicide. Their helpline telephone number is 0800 068 4141 and is open from 10am to 10pm on weekdays and 2pm to 10pm at weekends. They are available from 2pm – 10pm on bank holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day).
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. Online webchat is available via www.thecalmzone.net. Their telephone helpline (0800 58 58 58) is open 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year.
The Hub of Hope (www.hubofhope.co.uk) can be downloaded as an app, as well as having a website. It can help you find services that are nearby.
Mind offer non-emergency advice for people who are at risk of self-harm or suicide. Their helpline (0300 102 1234) is closed 25^th December, 26^th December and 1^st January.
No Panic offers advice, support, recovery programs and help for people living with phobias, OCD and any other anxiety-based disorders. Their telephone helpline (0300 772 9844) is open 10am-10pm 365 days a year.
Cruse Bereavement offer support through their website, national helpline, group, zoom, telephone or one-to-one in person support. Their telephone helpline (0808 808 1677) opening hours differ over the Christmas period and can be found here www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/helpline/
SHOUT is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258.
Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK for women and children. Their helpline (0808 2000 247) is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Additional contact methods can be found here www.refuge.org.uk/about-refuge/contact-information/.
Shelter offer an emergency helpline for people who are homeless, at risk of harm in their home, or worried about losing their home. Their helpline (0808 800 4444) is open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, except bank holidays when it is closed. They also offer a webchat and online housing advise https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/helpline