We hope you have a wonderful festive season, but if you need help over the holidays, here is a list of services to call on:
Life-threatening emergencies
Call 999 or 112 in a medical emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Also call 999 or 112 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as after a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.
For non-emergencies. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can ask for a translator if you need one. If you’re deaf and want to use the phone service, you can use the NHS 111 BSL service – visit www.interpreternow.co.uk/nhs111. You can also call 18001 111 on a textphone.
Mental health crisis
If you or someone you know experiences a mental health crisis over the Christmas period, there are organisations you can contact. Please reach out - don't suffer in silence. Calls are free and in complete confidence.
- Samaritans operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123
- SANEline is open from 4-10pm 365 days a year. Call 0300 304 7000
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) helpline is open from 5pm-midnight. There is also a webchat.
The entrance to Deal Pier at dusk
Calling for help at sea
For emergency assistance call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. For emergencies at inland water spots (such as lakes and rivers) call 999 or 112 and ask for Fire and Rescue services.
To report a crime
Call 999 or 112 if:
• a serious offence is in progress or has just been committed
• the suspect is still at the scene
• someone is in immediate danger or harm
• property is in danger of being damaged
• a serious disruption to the public is likely
If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, use the textphone service 60066.
For non-emergency reports, call 101 or visit www.kent.police.uk. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, use the textphone service 18000.
Dover Street Pastors
Dover Street Pastors are volunteers from all walks of life, from churches all across the town, working together for Dover. As a group of Christians from different churches, they patrol the town's streets on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as one Wednesday morning and one Friday afternoon each month. They will stop and chat to anyone they meet – caring, listening and helping where appropriate – while supporting a peaceful presence on the streets. Email them at dover@streetpastors.org.uk or phone 07742 196281.
Help for rough sleepers
Porchlight is Kent’s largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people. If you are in urgent need of help, call the free helpline – 0800 567 7699
Dover Outreach Centre offers a drop-in service for rough sleepers between 9am and 11am, Monday to Friday at Victory House, 168-172 Snargate Street, Dover CT17 9BZ. Tel 01304 339022 or email admin@doveroutreachcentre.com
Information about DDC rough sleepers cold weather protocol can be found here.
Breakdown recovery services
FFH Recovery & Car Transport: 54 Melbourne Ave, Dover CT16 2HU, 07731 310663Carl’s Recovery: 19 Hewitt Rd, Dover CT16 1TH, 07784 487614Andy's Garage: Eric Rd, Dover CT17 0TE, 01304 207206Knights Recovery & Transport Services: Unit C3, Enterprise Centre, Deal CT14 6PJ, 01304 267842Autotranz Recovery Services: Western Road, Deal CT14 6PJ, 01304 239655J’s vehicle Services: Jubilee Rd, Worth, Deal CT14 0DS, 07710 134708Annett Autos: Sandwich Industrial Estate, Sandwich CT13 9LN, 01303 647546
Emergencies with utilities
Power cuts - UK Power Networks: 0800 31 63 105
Water supply or waste-water problems - Southern Water: 0330 303 0368
If you have no water supply or a burst water main - Affinity Water: 0345 357 2407
National Gas Emergencies: 0800 111 999 (NB If you think you have a gas leak or can smell gas, leave the house straightaway.)
Please also see our page on Essential Services.