Our Winter Office Pause & Where to Find Support
Tuesday, December 16th, 2025
As part of our annual calendar rhythm, the Swiss Benevolent Society office will observe a short winter pause over the festive period. This allows our small team to rest, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead. This brief pause helps us return refreshed for the new year, while our website continues to point you to helpful support and guidance if you need it during this time. Our office will be closed from December 22nd, 2025, to January 4th, 2026. We’ll return refreshed and ready to connect with you again on Monday, January 5th.
Need Assistance During Our Closure?
For urgent matters,
please contact the following resources:
If your life is at imminent risk, please call the emergency services on 999 or for urgent care you can also dial 111.
Welfare Issues:
Local Council: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Emotional Wellbeing:
Swiss Church London: Rev Manuel Zimmermann Grey +44 (0) 777 851 6211; or via email to minister@swisschurchlondon.org.uk
Samaritans 24/7 Free Helpline: 116 123 (https://www.samaritans.org/)
SHOUT 24/7 Free Text Message Service: 85258 (www.giveusashout.org); To start a conversation, text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258. Trained Shout Volunteers are there to listen at any time of day or night and messages won’t appear on your phone bill.
Mind: Navigating mental health services can be difficult, so Mind is offering Advice & Support to empower anyone experiencing mental health problems. They also offer local services, coping tools and information. (Not a helpline for urgent cases) www.mind.org.uk
Swiss Nationality:
Swiss Embassy London: +44 (0) 20 7616 6000 or Swiss Embassy UK Website
FDFA Helpline (Available 24/7): +41 800 24-7-365 or +41 58 465 33 33
Help with Swiss citizenship, documentation, or overseas emergencies.
Financial Assistance:
Citizens Advice Bureau: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Local Council: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Wishing you a season filled with joy, warmth, and connection!
While our office is taking a short seasonal break, your wellbeing journey doesn’t pause. This quieter time of year can offer space to slow down, take stock, and gently reconnect with what matters most.
Finding Direction Starts with Looking Back
Meaningful goals are rarely set all at once. They grow from reflection, noticing what has served you well, what has been challenging, and where you would like to place your energy going forward. Gratitude plays a central role in this process: acknowledging what is already present helps bring clarity, perspective, and direction before any new intentions are formed
A Companion for the Year Ahead – Wellbeing, One Month at a Time
Our SBS Wellbeing Calendar is designed to accompany you throughout 2026, offering monthly prompts, reflections, and gentle encouragement rather than a one-time exercise. Each page invites small moments of pause, helping you revisit your intentions over time and stay connected to your wellbeing in a realistic, sustainable way.
You can read more about the calendar in our dedicated blog post HERE.
Gratitude for the Year Behind – Hope for the Year Ahead:
As we reflect on the year behind us, we are deeply grateful for the strength of our community and the trust placed in the Swiss Benevolent Society. We look forward to the year ahead and to sharing new initiatives and opportunities to connect, support, and uplift Swiss nationals living in the UK.
We wish you a peaceful and restorative holiday period and look forward to reconnecting in the new year.
You may also wish to read our Chair’s end-of-year message, reflecting on the year just passed and what lies ahead.
Stay Connected
While we’re away, you can still stay connected with the SBS:
Social Media: Follow us on social media (Facebook & Instagram)for the latest updates and community news.
Newsletter: Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates, including blog posts, event announcements, and helpful resources.
Knowledge Hub: Visit our website to access valuable information on UK benefits, regulations, and other important topics.
We look forward to reconnecting with you in the New Year!
Warm regards,
The Swiss Benevolent Society