Winter support
Winter can be a challenging time, and you or your friends or loved ones might need extra support during the colder, darker months and over the busy Christmas and New Year period.
Whether it’s helping a family member who struggles to live independently due to illness, age, or disability, or some support with childcare to help you juggle work and life, we’re here for you.
You can also get home energy saving advice and may be eligible for financial support to help with measures like insulating your home.
Support for adults
Cold, damp weather and darker nights can increase illness and the risk of falls, making it harder for you, or the people you know, to live independently. It's a good idea to stay in touch with people who you think could be at risk to ensure they’re okay and not feeling isolated.
You can get tips to reduce the risk of slips and trips on our Avoiding Falls webpage.
If you care for someone aged 18 or over, you can find guidance on benefits, putting together a support plan and more on our carers webpage. You may also be eligible for support provided by The Lancashire Carers Service.
For daily living aids, which make tasks around the home or getting out and about much easier, visit our AskSARA portal for advice on equipment and where to buy it.
Our Technology Enabled Care (TEC) uses digital sensors to help you live independently, alerting friends, family, our call centre or emergency services if needed. For more information, visit our TEC webpage.
Support for children and families
We’ve expanded our Wraparound Childcare Support, offering before and after school clubs, typically from 8am to 6pm during term time. These are perfect for parents starting new jobs in 2025. You may be eligible for tax-free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help you.
For pre-school children, funded places are available for working parents with children aged nine months to four years at local nurseries, childminders, or pre-schools.
If you would like more information, visit our Wraparound Childcare page.
Help saving energy
Heating and electricity bills increase during the winter. You'll find lots of energy saving advice on the gov.uk website. For other tips to reduce your energy bills, see the Energy Saving Trust website.
If you need help with home energy efficiency measures such as insulation, visit the Cosy Homes in Lancashire website or call 03306 061 488. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for free or discounted measures.
Other support to improve and repair heating and make homes more energy efficient may be available for people on lower incomes who are vulnerable to the cold because of health conditions. We provide grants to district councils to support this. Find your district council by entering your postcode on this page.
For more information about financial support to help with energy bills and payments you may be entitled to, go to our Help with Energy page.
New domestic abuse support service
A new domestic abuse support service has been launched for people in Lancashire who are currently experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, including specialist support for children and young people.
The Domestic Abuse Support Service Lancashire (DASSL) offers support in safe accommodation and outreach services for adults and children. The service is a partnership between a number of specialist domestic abuse services in Lancashire.
You can also find domestic abuse support at Domestic abuse - Lancashire County Council
Other support
For more information about the types of support we offer, visit our Adult Social Care and Children, Education and Families pages.