Community Spirit: Shopping & Medication
Published: 27/04/2020
With the current restrictions in place for self isolation, it has become increasingly difficult for our customers and all elderly to obtain their basics such as food and medication.
In turn, in these truly difficult and unprecedented times, we have seen community spirit rise to new highs by supporting and protecting our vulnerable residents.
Local communities are pulling together...
Local communities such as those in the small town of Ottery St Mary are pulling together to offer any help they can, to all of those in need.
A volunteer group has been created with all types of people offering their time and services to help those in need. They have posted leaflets to the whole town, to encourage the elderly isolated residents to make contact. Either for food shopping or just a friendly chat. Ottery Community Volunteers can be contacted on 01404600013.
Many local shops within the Exeter, Exmouth, and East Devon areas, including the Butchers, Greengrocers, Farm shops and Bakery, are now taking phone orders and delivering direct to the door with contactless deliveries. These include Darts Farm, Greendale Farmshop, The Grocer on The Green, and Lloyd Maunder in Exeter.
It is heart-warming to see so many communities pulling together in similar ways. If you or someone you know, who are not with Bluebird may need some help, please contact one of the volunteer groups below.
Exmouth Covid-19 Mutual Aid
Exmouth Covid-19 Mutual Aid is a group of volunteers helping those in need in Exmouth during the Covid-19 crisis. If you or someone you know are self-isolating in Exmouth and need help with errands (e.g. shopping, collecting prescriptions), please contact the group via the following ways:
Phone: 07494 462057 (9am-5pm 7 days a week)
Email: exmouthcovidhelp@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/197458401530661
Exeter Community Wellbeing
Exeter Community Wellbeing has been set up to assist individuals and community groups to help and support each other during this challenging time. If you or someone you know are self-isolating in Exeter and need help with errands (e.g. shopping, collecting prescriptions), please contact the group via the following ways:
Phone: 01392 265000 (Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00, Sat-Sun 09.00-12.00)
Online contact forms: https://exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/community-safety/coronavirus/exeter-community-wellbeing/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/exeterupdates
Honiton Community Volunteer Coronavirus Support Network
Honiton council have teamed up with Trip, who have an army of community volunteers to help with any errands (e.g shopping, dog walking, collecting prescriptions, food shopping). Please contact the group if you are someone you know needs extra help.
Website www.tripcta.org
Contact phone no. 01404 384050
Contact email address cornavirusupdates@tripcta.org
Supporting our customers
Here at Bluebird we are running at full steam to continue providing our outstanding care to all of our isolated customers. The carers have been using their phones to make video calls to loved ones who are unable to visit. Collecting essential food shopping and medication and generally going above and beyond their roles to insure the Wellbeing of our customers.
Our Wellbeing department has been making weekly phone calls to all our customers to make sure they have everything they need, are feeling positive and know they have support through the pressure of lockdown and isolation. Karina, our Wellbeing Facilitator can be contacted at wellbeingdevon@bluebirdcare.com at any time, if you feel you or your family member may need a friendly chat or a little extra help.
Other key resources:
Age UK food deliveries: https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/age-uk-devon-covid-19-food-deliveries-1-6629354
Just Eat food deliveries: https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/11435166/just-eat-food-parcels-coronavirus/
