Archive Archives - First Light

Christmas Operating Hours 2024/2025

Cornwall Domestic Abuse Service – Safer Futures

Tuesday 24^th December: 9am – 3pm

Wednesday 25^th & 26^th December (Christmas Day & Boxing Day): Closed

Friday 27^th December: 9 am – 8pm

Saturday 28^thDecember: 9am – 1pm

Sunday 29^th December: Closed

Monday 30^th December: 9am – 8pm

Tuesday 31st December: 9am – 8pm

Wednesday 1^st(New Years Day): Closed

National Church-Related Abuse Service (Safe Spaces)

Tuesday 24^th December: 9am – 9pm

Wednesday 25^th & 26^th December (Christmas Day & Boxing Day): Closed

Friday 27^th December: 9 am – 9pm

Saturday 28^thDecember: 9am – 1pm

Sunday 29^th December: 1pm – 5pm

Monday 30^th December: 9am – 9pm

Tuesday 31st December: 9am – 9pm

Wednesday 1^st(New Years Day): Closed

The Gables: Swindon & Wiltshire Sexual Violence Services

The ISVA service operating hours.

Tuesday 24^th December: 9am – 3pm

Wednesday 25^th December: Closed

Thursday 26^th December: Closed

Friday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Monday 30^th December: 10am to 3pm

Tuesday 31^st December: 10am to 3pm

Wednesday 1^st January: Closed

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

The SARC will remain operational over the Christmas period and will still be providing immediate support and aftercare for survivors of sexual violence.

Please note*

Our Crisis Workers will still be on call 24hrs a day, throughout the Christmas period, for advice or to book forensic medical appointments, on 01793 781917.

The SARC office operating hours.

Tuesday 24^th December: 9am – 3pm

Wednesday 25^th December: Closed

Thursday 26^th December: Closed

Friday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Monday 30^th December: 10am to 3pm

Tuesday 31^st December: 10am to 3pm

Wednesday 1^st January: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Thursday 2^nd January 2025.

Devon – Plymouth Counselling

The Plymouth Counselling operating hours.

Tuesday 24^th December: 9am – 3pm

Wednesday 25^th December: Closed

Thursday 26^th December: Closed

Friday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Monday 30^th December: 10am to 3pm

Tuesday 31^st December: 10am to 3pm

Wednesday 1^st January: Closed

If you need urgent support, the following numbers are available 24/7 to help you.

National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

If you are in danger,

please dial 999 immediately, or 101 for non-emergency

Swindon and Wiltshire Services

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service

The ISVA service will be closed on Monday 25^th December and Tuesday 26^th December for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Between 27^th December to the 29^th December the service will be operating at reduced hours.

The ISVA service operating hours.

Monday 25^th December: Closed

Tuesday 26^th December: Closed

Wednesday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Thursday 28^th December 10am to 3pm

Friday 29^th December 10am to 3pm

Monday 1^st January 2024: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

The SARC will remain operational over the Christmas period and will still be providing immediate support and aftercare for survivors of sexual violence.

Please note*

Our Crisis Workers will still be on call 24hrs a day, throughout the Christmas period, for advice or to book forensic medical appointments, on 01793 781917.

The SARC Office will be closed on Monday 25^th December and Tuesday 26^th December for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Between 27^th December to the 29^th December the service will be operating at reduced hours.

The SARC office operating hours.

Monday 25^th December: Closed

Tuesday 26^th December: Closed

Wednesday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Thursday 28^th December 10am to 3pm

Friday 29^th December 10am to 3pm

Monday 1^st January 2024: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

Devon Services

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service

The ISVA service will be closed on Monday 25^th December and Tuesday 26^th December for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Between 27^th December to the 29^th December the service will be operating at reduced hours.

The ISVA service operating hours.

Monday 25^th December: Closed

Tuesday 26^th December: Closed

Wednesday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Thursday 28^th December 10am to 3pm

Friday 29^th December 10am to 3pm

Monday 1^st January 2024: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

Plymouth Counselling

The Plymouth Counselling service will be closed on Monday 25^th December and Tuesday 26^th December for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Between 27^th December to the 29^th December the service will be operating at reduced hours.

The Plymouth Counselling operating hours.

Monday 25^th December: Closed

Tuesday 26^th December: Closed

Wednesday 27^th December: 10am to 3pm

Thursday 28^th December 10am to 3pm

Friday 29^th December 10am to 3pm

Monday 1^st January 2024: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

Cornwall Services

The Safer Futures service will be closed on Monday 25^th December and Tuesday 26^th December for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Between 27^th December to the 29^th December, our helpline will be operating during office hours only.

The Safer Futures operating hours.

Monday 25^th December: Closed

Tuesday 26^th December: Closed

Wednesday 27^th December: 9am to 5pm

Thursday 28^th December 9am to 5pm

Friday 29^th December 9am to 5pm

Saturday 30th December 9am to 5pm

Sunday 31st December Closed

Monday 1^st January 2024: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

Safe Spaces

The Safe Spaces service will be closed on Monday 25^th December and Tuesday 26^th December for Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Between 27^th December to the 29^th December, our helpline will be operating as usual.

The Safe Spaces operating hours.

Monday 25^th December: Closed

Tuesday 26^th December: Closed

Wednesday 27^th December: 9am to 9pm

Thursday 28^th December 9am to 9pm

Friday 29^th December 9am to 9pm

Saturday 30th December 9am to 1pm

Sunday 31st December 1pm to 5pm

Monday 1^st January 2024: Closed

All services will return to regular operating hours from Tuesday 2^nd January 2024.

If you need urgent support, the following numbers are available 24/7 to help you.

National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999

National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

If you are in danger,

please dial 999 immediately, or 101 for non-emergency

Christmas opening hours 2022

Please note our Christmas opening hours for 2022

We’re here for you over the Christmas Holidays. We’ll be closed on the National Bank Holidays, and if you do need support on these dates you can contact the below numbers:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

National Rape Crisis Helpline 0808 802 9999

The Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre will remain open as usual and can be contacted 24/7 on 01793 781 916.

For the remainder of the break we will be operating reduced services, or on reduced opening hours. See below for details.

Friday 23rd December – Normal Working Day

Saturday 24th December – Christmas Eve

Sunday 25th December – Christmas Day

Monday 26th December – Bank Holiday

Tuesday 27th December – Bank Holiday

Wednesday 28th December

Thursday 29th December

Friday 30th December

Saturday 31st December – New Year’s Eve

Sunday 1st January – New Year’s Day

Monday 2nd January – Bank Holiday

Tuesday 3rd January

Normal Operating Hours

Domestic Abuse Helpline 9am – 3pm

CLOSED

Helpline 10:00 – 15:00

All Services 10:00 – 15:00

Helpline 09:00 – 15:00

CLOSED

Helpline 10:00 – 15:00

Normal hours resume

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝-𝟏𝟗 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 📢

In light of the recent Government announcement regarding Covid-19 measures, we wish to reassure everyone that all of our services remain open.

We are currently providing a mix of face to face and remote support dependent on the needs of the individual.

Please do not hesitate to make contact if you or someone you know is in need of help and support. Details of all the services we provide are available on our website.

Christmas opening hours 2021

Please note our Christmas opening hours for 2021:

Our Swindon and Wiltshire SARC will still be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Friday 24th December 2020 – Christmas Eve

Saturday 25th December 2020 – Christmas Day

Sunday 26th December 2020 – Boxing Day

Monday 27th December 2020 – Bank Holiday

Tuesday 28th December 2020 – Bank Holiday

Wednesday 29th December 2020

Thursday 30th December 2020

Friday 31st December 2020 – New Years Eve

Saturday 1st January 2021 – New Year’s Day

Sunday 2nd January 2021

Monday 3rd January 2021 – Bank Holiday

Tuesday 4th January 2021

09:00 – 15:00

CLOSED

Helpline 9:00 – 17:00

Helpline 9:00 – 17:00 / Other 10:00 – 15:00

CLOSED

Helpline 9:00 – 17:00

Normal hours resume

Supporting First Light this Christmas

Whatever you buy and for whoever you buy for, make a difference this Christmas to thousands of lives across the South West. Here are some of the ways you can support First Light which doesn’t need to cost you a penny:

Give As You Live – Shop online at thousands of stores who will donate a % of your basket to First Light. Stores include M&S, ebay, Sainsburys, Tesco, John Lewis, Boots, ASOS, Debenhams, Argos and many more. To create your online account and donate: https://www.giveasyoulive.com/

Amazon Smile – Shop through the ‘smile’ portal of Amazon ad they will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to First Light. Use your existing Amazon account at https://smile.amazon.co.uk/

Don’t Send Me A Card – Save on postage and your carbon footprint by sending charity e-cards this Christmas in aid of First Light, visit https://www.dontsendmeacard.com/

Cornish Christmas Giving Catalogue 2021 – Provides an opportunity to give a gift of hope this Christmas by giving a charity gift certificate to friends and family. To give to First Light in lieu of presents or cards visit: https://cornwallindependentpovertyforum.com/cornish-christmas-giving-catalogue-2021/

Christmas opening hours

Please note our Christmas opening hours for 2020:

Our Swindon and Wiltshire SARC will still be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thursday 24th December 2020 – Christmas Eve

Friday 25th December 2020 – Christmas Day

Saturday 26th December 2020 – Boxing Day

Sunday 27th December 2020

Monday 28th December 2020 – Bank Holiday

Tuesday 29th December 2020

Wednesday 30th December 2020

Thursday 31st December 2020 – New Years Eve

Friday 1st January 2021 – New Year’s Day

Saturday 2nd January 2021

Sunday 3rd January 2021

Monday 4th January 2021

09:00 – 14:00

CLOSED

10:00 – 14:00

CLOSED

Normal hours resume

Domestic abuse safety tips

Safer Cornwall have produced a series of videos giving practical advice to those experiencing domestic abuse during Covid-19…

Tip 1: Accessing domestic abuse and sexual violence support

Tip 2: Preparation increases safety

Tip 3: Get up & go bag

Tip 4: Domestic abuse safety advice if abuse escalates

Tip 5: Keep a journal

Thank you!

Thank you Coastline Housing and Cornwall Council!

Many thanks to everyone who offered supplies of headsets for our helpline team when we put a shoutout across social media last week. All offers were greatly appreciated. HUGE thanks to Chris from Coastline Housing and Cornwall Council who donated headsets to us – AMAZING!!!

As a result we were able to expand our domestic abuse helpline in Cornwall and in addition to this we were able to run our helpline over Good Friday and bank holiday Monday 10:00 – 16:00.

Thank you all 😊