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We know that the Christmas period will be hard for some people and your issues and problems don’t just go away. We wanted to share with you what support will be available over Christmas.
Our Opening hours
We will close our Cleator Moor office at 12pm on Wednesday 24th December and re-open on Friday 2nd January 2026 for telephone advice & pre-arranged appointments.
Foodbank Opening hours
Egremont Centre
Last session before Christmas Tuesday 23rd December 1-3pm
Then re-opens as normal Tuesday 6th January 2026
Whitehaven Centre
Last Session before Christmas Tuesday 23rd December 11:30am–1:30pm
Re-opens Monday 5th January 2026 11:30am-1:30pm
Millom Centre
Friday 19th December 2025: open 11 – 1 pm
Tuesday 23rd December 2025: open 11 – 1 pm
Friday 26th December 2025: Closed
Tuesday 31st December 2025: open 11 – 1 pm
Friday 2nd January 2026: open 11 – 1 pm
Tuesday 6th January 2026: open 11 – 1 pm
Help to Claim Service
Help to Claim is a dedicated service from Citizens Advice. It’s free, independent, confidential and impartial. Our trained advisers can help with things like how to gather evidence for your application or how to prepare for your first Jobcentre appointment.
You can contact an adviser through our free national Help to Claim phone service on 0800 144 8444 (Help to Claim enquiries only).
Opening hours for Help to Claim over the Christmas period:
Monday 22 December: Open as usual
Tuesday 23 December: Open as usual
Wednesday 24 December (Christmas Eve): Closed
Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
Friday 26 December (Boxing Day): Closed
Saturday 27 December: Closed
Sunday 28 December: Closed
Monday 29 December: Open as usual
Tuesday 30 December: Open as usual
Wednesday 31 December (New Year’s Eve): Open until 4pm
Thursday 1 January (New Year’s Day): Closed
Friday 2 January: Open as usual
Monday 5 January onwards – Normal hours resume
You can also visit the Citizens Advice National website this is also packed full of advice and there is live chat function: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Citizens Advice Debt Helpline
If you need help with money or debt you can call the Citizens Advice Debt Helpline:
0800 240 4420
Opening hours for Help to Claim over the Christmas period:
Monday 22 December: Open as usual
Tuesday 23 December: Open as usual
Wednesday 24 December (Christmas Eve): 9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
Friday 26 December (Boxing Day): Closed
Saturday 27 December: Closed
Sunday 28 December: Closed
Monday 29 December: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Tuesday 30 December: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday 31 December (New Year’s Eve): 9.00am – 5.00pm
Thursday 1 January (New Year’s Day): Closed
Friday 2 January: Open as usual
Saturday 3 January: 9.30am – 1.00pm
Sunday 4 January: Closed
You can also visit the Citizens Advice National website this is also packed full of advice and there is live chat function: www.citizensadvice.org.uk9.00am – 5.00pm
Consumer Helpline
Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service if you need more help with a consumer problem. For example they can help with things like broken or faulty goods, or problems with energy or post.
Call the consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133
Opening hours for the Consumer Helpline over the Christmas period:
Monday 22 December: Open as usual
Tuesday 23 December: Open as usual
Wednesday 24 December (Christmas Eve): 9.00am – 1.00pm
Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day): Closed
Friday 26 December (Boxing Day): Closed
Saturday 27 December: Closed
Sunday 28 December: Closed
Monday 29 December: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Tuesday 30 December: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Wednesday 31 December (New Year’s Eve): 9.00am – 1.00pm
Thursday 1 January (New Year’s Day): Closed
Friday 2 January: Open as usual
You can also visit the Citizens Advice National website this is also packed full of advice and there is live chat function: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Phoenix Enterprise Centre Opening hours
Mon 22nd December 9am-3pm
Tues 23rd December 9am-3pm
Wed 24th December CLOSED
Thurs 25th December CLOSED
Fri 26th December CLOSED
Mon 29th December 9am-3pm
Tues 30th December 9am-3pm
Wed 31st December 9am-3pm
Thurs 1st January 2026 CLOSED
Fri 2nd January 2026 9am-3pm
Open normal hours from Mon 5th January 9am-4.30pm
01946 813555
Whitehaven, Egremont and District Credit Union
Mon 22nd December 10am-2pm
Tues 23rd December 10am-2pm
Wed 24th December 10am-2pm
Thurs 25th December CLOSED
Fri 26th December CLOSED
Mon 29th December 10am-12pm
Tues 30th December 10am-12pm
Wed 31st December CLOSED
Thurs 1st January 2026 CLOSED
Fri 2nd January 2026 10am-1pm
Call 01946 66755
Help is here this Winter
Cumberland Council have compiled a list of support services that can help you this winter:
Activities, Groups and Services open over the Christmas period 2025
Citizens Advice National also have lots of advice on their website and they have also put together a list of contacts offering support over Christmas click here