Support available during the holidays

20 December 2024
Holiday Support 2024

The holiday season can be challenging for many. At Cyrenians, we are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary assistance and knows where to seek help during a crisis.

Cyrenians Support Services

Over Christmas and New Year, Cyrenians will be running on reduced capacity due to public holidays. This will affect most services from Monday 23 December to Friday 3 January. Some services will be open during these times – see below.

Cook School

Our Flavour and Haver Cook School will be closed from 23 December until 6 January, during which Crisis will be using our facilities to prepare Christmas meals for those who need them.

FareShare Depot

The depot will be running at a reduced service from 23 December.

  • 8am – 4pm on Monday and Friday
  • 8am – 2pm on Tuesdays

The Depot will not be open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and 2 January. Service will resume as normal on Monday 6 January.

The majority of our Community Pantries will finish up on 20 December and resume on 6 January. Our pantry at Pitcairn Centre will return 3 January. Most of the buildings that we operate out of will be closed during this time. If you require emergency food assistance, you can find a list of food support services below:

Street Support Network

Edinburgh City Mission

Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts

ERA (Edinburgh Recovery Activities)

For detailed information on Edinburgh Recovery Activities during the festive period, check the ERA Facebook.

Outreach

Our WiSH (Women in Safe Homes), Ability Development, Hospital In-reach and Chances will be operating but at reduced service. They will not be available on 25/26 December and 1/2 January.

HMP Addiewell Visitor Centre 

The Addiewell Visitor Centre’s Christmas opening hours are:  

  • Monday 23 December: CLOSED
  • Tuesday 24 December: 1pm – 8.30pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 December: 1pm – 8.30pm
  • 28 - 29 December: 9:30am – 5.30pm
  • Monday 30 December: CLOSED
  • New Years Eve: 1pm – 4pm
  • New Years Day: CLOSED
  • Thursday 2 January: CLOSED

The Visitor Centre will reopen on the 3 January at normal working hours. 

Reset

The Reset service will be open during office hours over the holiday period.

Gardens

The Midlothian Community Hospital Garden will be unstaffed from 23 December until 6 January. Please be reminded that although the Midlothian Community Hospital Garden is unstaffed throughout the festive period, the garden is always open.

The Dollar Park Walled Garden will close on Saturday 21 December and reopen Monday 6 January.

Golden Years

Our Golden Years service will finish up on Christmas Eve (24 December), it will then reopen on 6 January. The team will be checking the inbox on 27, 30, 31 December and then 3 January.

OPAL (Opportunities for Active Lives)

The OPAL offices are open until noon on 24 December and will then reopen on 3 January. For detailed information on the OPAL service during the festive period, check the OPAL Facebook page.

Communities

Our communities will be operational as usual.

Green Skills Centre

Our Green Skills Centre is closed from 20 December and reopens 6 January.

Falkirk services 

Our Falkirk Services will be closed from 21 December. The service will reopen on 6 January.

As the holidays approach, we wish you joy and warmth. We look forward to welcoming you in the new year!