Winter wellbeing

Stockton and District Advice and Information Service (Citizens Advice Bureau)

Home visits and appointments available throughout the Borough. Use the following telephone numbers to get in touch:

• help with energy problems: 01642 626106
• help with welfare benefits: 01642 633877
• help with debt: 01642 626124
• any other issues: 01642 633877

Warm Homes Healthy People

Cold temperatures can have a serious impact on your health and are linked to a number of health conditions including respiratory disease, strokes, falls and flu. Keeping warm and healthy during the cold weather can help keep illness away.

For more information call 01642 528215 or visit the Warm Homes Healthy People webpage.

Energy, heating and benefits advice

Working with the Cleveland Fire Brigade and Stockton and District Advice and Information Service, the Council can help with:

• emergency heating
• energy saving and debt advice
• welfare benefits advice and assistance
• advice and support to help keep you healthy and more able to cope with cold weather

To apply or for further information please call 01642 528215 or visit the Warm Homes Healthy People webpage.

Community Spaces

More than 60 Community Spaces are open across the Borough where you can go for a warm welcome, to save money on household bills, avoid social isolation, and enjoy refreshments and activities. You can also get support and advice to boost your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Find your closest Community Space by visiting the Community Spaces Directory.

Staying healthy

Book your flu vaccine

You can have your flu vaccine at your GP surgery or at a pharmacy if you are aged 18 years or over. You can also book online at the NHS flu vaccine webpage.

Book your COVID-19 vaccine

You can phone 119 for free or book your COVID-19 vaccine online at the NHS book COVID-19 vaccination webpage.

Reduce infections and stay well

You can reduce the spread of winter infections with regular hand washing using soap and warm water, as well as cleaning surfaces regularly.

If you have the symptoms of a respiratory infection, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people to reduce the spread.

To help keep warm, wear several layers of light clothing, drink regular hot drinks, and try not to sit still for more than an hour without moving or stretching.

Welfare support

Check whether you're getting all the welfare support that you're entitled to. There are Council Tax discounts, cost of living payments, and much more available. Make sure you look at the eligibility and get in touch if you think you may be missing out.

Visit the benefits and support webpage or call our Welfare Rights service on 01642 526141.

The welfare support opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm
• Friday, 8:30am to 4pm

Here to Help hub

Information on a wide range of support and services to help with the cost of living and wellbeing are available on the Here to Help hub webpages.

Cleveland Fire: Stay safe and warm

Do you know someone who is struggling to stay warm in their home?

Cleveland Fire's award winning Stay Safe and Warm scheme is completely free and open to anyone living in Cleveland, no age restrictions apply.

It offers access to heaters and other equipment as required (following a free home assessment). So whether it's a short-term issue such as a boiler breakdown or an ongoing heating issue, we can help.

Speak to a member of our team by calling 01429 874063 or visit Cleveland Fire's stay safe and warm webpage for more information.

Winter fuel payments

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment designed to help older people with their heating costs in the colder winter months. It is provided by the government to those who are eligible.

Please visit the winter fuel payment webpage at GOV.UK for more information and to check your eligibility.

Help in a crisis

If something unexpected leaves you struggling to pay for essentials such as food and or energy, we might be able to help you.

As part of the Council's Back on Track scheme, we can offer crisis support for people who need help immediately.

For further information and how to apply, visit the crisis support webpage or call 01642 524180.

The crisis support opening hours are:

• Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
• Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm