If some support would be helpful this Christmas, please do not hesitate to make contact.
TQ9: Together We Care
TQ9: Together We Care is a partnership of 27 local organisations that have come together to help you navigate the cost of living crisis we are currently all experiencing. Click the link to see local events that will be either free, donation-based, ‘pay-what-you-can’ or for a subsidised fee.
Stepping Stone Totnes
07988639514 or contact@steppingstonestotnes.co.uk, or FB @steppingstonestotnes
Totnes Food Bank (by referral) Last open day before Christmas is Thursday 18th December then
closed until Monday 5th January 2026 when we open business as usual.
Regular customers for the Food Bank and TQ9 Food Club are welcome to take double the amount
they usually do on weeks beginning 1st Dec, 8th Dec, or 15th Dec to cover the two week Christmas
period of closure.
Special parcels of Christmas food will be given out in the week beginning 15th December to all
regulars.
The Warm Hearts Cafe will be open Thursday 18th December and it will then be closed until 5th Jan
when it will reopen as normal.
HAF – Winter 2025
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme includes a hot meal. The winter provider list can be viewed here.
If your child is eligible to access the programme, simply search for a provider in you
area, have a look to see what they’re offering and book a place with them directly.
Please note some organisations can also provide Christmas presents for families in
need. This includes The Salvation Army please contact your child’s school for them to
refer. Please do also contact other providers directly to find out what support they offer over the Christmas period: https://southdevonfoodalliance.adoddle.org/localorganisations/
Other support that can help you stay well over Christmas:
Samaritans
For emotional support in a crisis 08457 909090
Tel: 0345 155 1074 (landline call rate)
Family Lives (formerly Parentline Plus)
Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families
https://www.familylives.org.uk/
Switchboard
LGBTQIA+ Support https://switchboard.lgbt/ 0800 0119 100
Qwell
Free digital mental wellbeing support for adults across the UK
https://www.qwell.io/
Fear Free Devon
Domestic Abuse Support Tel: 0345 155 1074 (landline call rate)
If you are in immediate danger you should always call 999. – don’t put yourself, or your
family at risk.
Concerned about the safety of a child?
Contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) 0345 155 1071
If the child is at immediate risk contact the police on 999.
Suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused?
Contact Adult Social Care on 0345 1551 007 (Monday to Thursday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm,
Friday 9.00 am to 4.30 pm and Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm).
Outside of the hours above/on bank holidays call the Emergency Duty Service on 0345
6000 388
Shelter
Emergency Helpline 0808 800 4444
Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm. Weekends and bank holidays, 9am – 5pm.
SASHA
Safety, Advice, Support, Help & Aid – SASHA is here to offer support to women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, coercive & controlling behaviours, or violence towards them. This support is being offered to women who are aged 16 years and upwards. Our aim is to be an additional layer of local support alongside other services.
Call on 07399564517, there is someone on the end of the phone at the following times: Tues, Thurs & Sun 7-9pm and Tues, Thurs & Fridays 10am-3pm. Please text or email us out of hours: sashatotnes@gmail.com
Call 999 if it is an emergency or you are in immediate danger.
SHDC homelessness
If you know of anyone who is sleeping rough, or if you are concerned about a rough sleeper, please contact a member of the Housing Team on 01803 861234. You can also connect with StreetLink, a service for reporting concerns about rough sleepers.
If you are homeless tonight and you have nowhere to stay please call our housing advice team on 01803 861234. You can also get help for yourself with StreetLink.
Outside of office hours, you can call us on 01803 861539.
We will arrange for an outreach worker to contact the person sleeping rough about providing emergency accommodation.