Support this Winter

Looking for support this winter?

We know how important it is to feel safe and well this winter, and there is lots of support available to you across Doncaster. On this webpage, you can find specialist advice on financial support, health guidance, as well as information on staying warm through the winter months. You can also ring the Council's dedicated Winter support phoneline on: 01302 736999 or sign up for our newsletter mailing lists for regular, local updates.

Please note that for information over the Christmas and New Year period about available services and opening times across the council and partners, you can visit the Council's Christmas webpage.

Winter Support Pamphlet

Winter Support Pamphlet
Download (2413KB - PDF)

Easy Read Winter Support Booklet

Easy Read Winter Support Booklet
Download (13.3MB - PDF)

Feeling Unwell Over Winter?

If you start to feel unwell during the winter months don’t wait until it gets more serious. Over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are available to help relieve the symptoms of common seasonal coughs and colds. Talk to NHS 111, use the NHS 111 online symptom checker or speak to any pharmacist for advice.

Urgent Care and Hospitals

There’s always a health professional available 24/7. If you think you need a doctor or nurse and can’t get an urgent appointment at your practice, you can call the Same Day Health Centre at Cavendish Court on 0300 123 3103 to be seen between 10am-10pm. If you need an urgent appointment during the night, call 0300 123 9990.
If you’re not sure what to do, call 111 or visit the website 111.nhs.uk 24/7 for advice.

Minor Injuries Unit at Mexborough Montagu Hospital (MMH)

The unit is open every day from 9.00am to 9.00pm, except on Christmas Day when it is closed. The unit is staffed by experienced Emergency Nurse Practitioners who can assess and treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments, including sprains, cuts and bruises and some simple fractures.

Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC)

UTCs provide urgent medical help when it’s not a life-threatening emergency. Doncaster UTC is based within Doncaster Royal infirmary and open 24/7 365 days a year. Patients can be referred there from the Emergency Department, the Same Day Health Centre or 111. Staff are equipped to support with many of the most common illnesses people attend Emergency Departments (A&E) for.

Out of Hours (OOH)

 This service operates from within the Urgent Treatment Centre and is operational Monday – Friday, 6pm – 8am and all-day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Appointments are made via NHS 111 or by contacting your own GP, where you will be re directed. 

Less Urgent Support

For less urgent situations when you call your surgery, you may be offered a phone or video consultation, or an appointment in the evening or at the weekend. If you’re assessed as needing a face-to-face appointment, you will get one. You should only call 999 for an ambulance or go to A&E in the case of a serious life-threatening illness or injury.

Health Bus

If you have a minor ailment or illness that’s been troubling you and we’re in the neighbourhood, come and see the health bus. The Health Bus Service makes stops in communities so that everyone, regardless of whether you’re registered with a local GP practice or not, can access high quality healthcare and is staffed by GPs, nurses and other healthcare staff who work locally in Doncaster. Find out where the health bus is this week through the Primary Care Doncaster website.

Evening and Weekend Appointments

Routine and same day appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional are available across several sites in Doncaster. This makes it much easier to get the care you need, at a time that’s convenient for you. Appointments for this service are released every week, to find out more visit the Primary Care Doncaster website.

Medication

It’s important to ensure you have enough medicine in case you can’t leave the house for any reason during winter especially during bank holidays. NHS 111 should be able to help with an emergency supply if you run out of prescribed medication.

Find out more about support over Winter through the NHS website. You can also find out more about the health support that is available all year round through the Your Health South Yorkshire webpage.

Staying Warm and Well

There is lots of grants and support available to you this winter. From national support such as the warm homes discount and the winter fuel payment, to local schemes including the Energy Company Obligation, the Boiler on Prescription schemes and the Household Support Fund. For more information on any available schemes, fill out the Councils Sustainability Unit webform or by visiting the Energy Saving Tips webpage.

Healthy Homes

Our Healthy Homes webpage also has lots of information on how to ensure our homes protect our health and wellbeing. You can find the Healthy Homes checklist and lots of other support to keep your home healthy through the Your Life Doncaster webpage. 

Welcoming Spaces

If you are finding it hard to heat your home over the winter period, Welcoming Spaces are available throughout Doncaster to support you. Welcoming Spaces across Doncaster provide a warm, safe, local space for anybody who may need it over the winter period without the expectation of having to spend money. You can find your local Welcoming Space through the Warm Welcome website. Or find more information on spaces across Doncaster that you can stay warm on our Welcoming Spaces webpage.

For more information on managing money, energy support, food banks, and lots of other support- you can visit the Cost of Living webhub.

Choose Kindness this Winter

We know that over the winter months, there are many people in our community that may need a bit more support than usual. If you have an older neighbour, relative or friend, choose kindness and look out for them during the winter period. They may not be able to get out of their home and perhaps need shopping and prescriptions collecting. Here's a few ways that you can check in on those around you this winter:

Checking in on Your Neighbour

  • Say Hello: There is no easier way to make someone's day
  • Ask: Not everyone will ask for help, but that doesn't mean they don't need it. Always ask if there is anything you can do to help.
  • Keep them informed: Not everyone is online, if you see important information you think may be useful, post them a note through the door or you can even print out this webpage!
  • Shopping: If you're going to the shops or pharmacy, ask if they need anything collecting.
  • Spot the signs: Know the signs that they may need help. Not seen a neighbour for a while? Are their curtains always drawn? Remember, if the weather is bad, they may not be able to get out and about easily.

Social Isolation Alliance

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing social isolation and loneliness and would like to connect with people in your community, Doncaster’s Social Isolation and Loneliness Alliance (SIA) may be able to assist. The SIA is a group of voluntary, community and faith sector organisations work together, throughout Doncaster, to help anyone who is experiencing social isolation and loneliness. The SIA can offer:  

  • A variety of activities in each community - allowing you to meet new people or try a new activity.
  • Access to further support depending on your needs, including the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, the Job Centre, or other community groups within our network.
  • Opportunities to develop your skills through basic IT programmes, volunteer opportunities, and training.
  • Access to mental health and wellbeing support including counselling and peer support groups.
  • Information about available financial support such as foodbanks or hygiene products.
  • Specific support services, such as domestic abuse or carers support.

For further information, help or support, please visit the Social Isolation Alliance website or follow their facebook page.

Winter Events

Find all the fantastic local community events, as well as council events, happening over the winter period through our events page. There's lots of fun, free activities to get stuck into over the festive period and beyond! You can also find out lots about what is going on throughout Doncaster on the Visit Doncaster website.

 

Penguin Parade

Can you find all of Doncaster's penguins? Get ready to slide into a new, exciting adventure with your loved ones as the penguin trail comes to Doncaster. If you're looking for a free, easy way to spend quality time with your family whilst exploring the city centre, look no further! The Doncaster Penguin Trail promises a fantastic experience for everyone, from the youngest explorers to the young at heart.

You can download the Trail Map on the Visit Doncaster website.

Festive City

Doncaster City Centre will transform itself into a festive city this Christmas, with a whole host of activities, events and festivities taking place this November and December.From Penguin trails to the Doncaster Festival of Light, Christmas decorations and the annual panto – there is plenty to welcome locals and tourists alike to our city.

As an added bonus, Doncaster’s free parking initiative is back again this year! From Friday 1st December until Friday 5th January, visitors will be able to park for free in council car parks after 2pm at the popular Markets Car Park, St Georges Car Park and Colonnades underground car park and park for free all day on a Saturday in December at the Chappell Drive car park.To plan your diary this festive season, go to the Visit Doncaster website.

Frost Festival

Frost Festival events taking place include:
  • An Evening with Father Christmas at the Mansion House on 7th December
  • The Frost Festival Finale in Sir Nigel Gresley Square on 21st December with lots of festive entertainment and attractions.
  • Christmas Cabins in the area around Clock Corner between Frenchgate and Doncaster Market from 2-16 December for plenty of gift ideas.

Find out everything else in store on the Visit Doncaster website.

Holiday, Activity and Food (HAF) programme

As the festive season approaches, Doncaster Council are pleased to announce that the Holiday, Activity and Food (HAF) programme will run over the Christmas holidays period from 27th December – 8th January 2024.The HAF programme provides physical exercise, healthy food and enriching activities during the school holidays for children who are eligible for, and in receipt of benefits related free school meals.For full details of the activities available, visit Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme - City of Doncaster Council from the 1st December or email HAF@Doncaster.gov.uk for more information

Christmas Dinners in your community

Come and have a Christmas dinner and spend the afternoon chatting with peers in your community. Contact each group to book.

North:
  • CMA Bentley St Peter’s Bentley Church Hall | 15/12/2023 3pm
  • 7th Day Adventist Church Church Youth Hall | 24/12/2023 12pm-3pm
  • Town End Flood Group Marantha Church | 14/12/2023- 12pm 18/12/2023-12pm
  • Whinfell Community Whinfell Comunity Hall | 14/12/2023 12pm
  • Askern CRY St Peter’s Church | 14/12/2023 - 10:30am - 1:30pm 21/12/2023 - 11:30am-1:30pm

East:

  • Club Thorne Iqbal Poultry Stadium, DN8 4NA | 23/12/2023 1pm-4pm
  • Duncroft Together Duncroft Together Centre | 13/12/2023 11am-3pm
  • Moorends Miners Welfare Miners Welfare | 14/12/2023 10:30am-2pm
  • S4All Stainforth Library | 22/12/2023 12:30pm-2:30pm
  • Wednesday Recycled Teenages Dance Group Nai’s Cafe | 13/12/2023 1pm-3pm

Central:

  • Second Generation Wheatley Hotel | 21/12/2023 2pm
  • Friends of Clay Lane Dropped off at your home | 14/12/2023 12pm
  • Club Doncaster-ECO Stadium | 19/12/2023 11am-3pm
  • Cura Care Community CIC Intake Library | 19/12/2023 5pm-7pm
  • PFG Grove Park Pavilion | 25/12/2023 11pm-4pm
  • Pheonix Women’s Aid 12 Priory Place | 25/12/2023 12pm
  • The ME Project Intake Library | 19/12/2023 5pm-7pm
  • MHA South Yorkshire Tickhill Methodist Church-10/12/2023-12pm Cantley Methodist Church- 21/12/2023-12pm Bullcroft Memorial-22/12/2023-10am

South:

  • MAY CIC The Hot Chocolate Lounge | 14/12/2023 15/12/2023- 18/12/2023 1pm-2:30pm
  • Ann’s Willing Tee’s Able Denaby Community Centre | 23/12/2023 1pm
  • Friends of Denaby Market Nai’s Cafe December | week days 1pm-3pm
  • Helping Hands Helping Hands Building | 11/12/2023- 18/12/2023 12pm-1:30pm
  • Charlie’s Cafe Harrograte Court | 15/12/2023, 16/12/2023,17/12/2023 1:30pm
  • Conisbrough Community Association Invanhoe Centre | 04/12/2023 12pm
  • Dog Daisy Dog Daisy Community Hall | 20/12/2023 12p,-1pm
  • Mexborough Community Hub Mexborough Hub | 12/12/2023 12pm-4pm
  • The Friends of Master’s House The Masters House, Braithwell | 18/12/2023 11am-2pm
  • Rossington Arks & Crafts Holmescarr Centre | 21/12/2023 3pm
  • Pheonix Women’s Aid 12 Priory Place | 25/12/2023 12pm

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