(Information last checked and updated 4.30pm on 23.3.20)
Lots of information and offers of support have already been posted across social media and local websites to help the local Chippenham community during this unprecedented time. Below is a long list with the ones we’ve spotted already that you or you family/friends might find useful. We’ll keep this news page updated daily as we hear new information or when we see updates to the information below.
The Salvation Army Chippenham have said that the Chippenham Foodbank will be open Wednesdays 10am-3pm and Fridays 10am-1pm. They say “you do not need to get a voucher from another agency but you do need to call us for a phone assessment and a pick up appointment. Please call 01249 655458, please do not just turn up! We want to be able to see people quickly and avoid multiple people waiting at any one time. “We are hoping to be able to offer fresh food as well during this period to prevent people visiting multiple shops for the bits they need. We are anticipating a rise in demand so please continue to support us by making donations or giving financially. Thank you all in advance! Salvation Army, Chippenham Team
Wiltshire Air Ambulance is asking people to donate face masks. Because there is such a shortage, they’re struggling to have enough for their paramedics to use when treating a patient during a cardiac arrest of patients with severe respiratory difficult.
The Wiltshire Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) want to support all the people they work with as best they can. They have joined forces to work in partnership to cover the geographical spread to reach and support as many people as needed across Wiltshire. “If you are worried, self-isolating or need a listening ear or practical and advice or help to get shopping, prescriptions etc, please contact us and we will do our very best to support you using our combined workforce and volunteers across Wiltshire.”. This includes the following organisations.
Age UK Wiltshire are accelerating plans to launch their Community Meals+ Service (Meals on Wheels) across Swindon and Wiltshire. It’s reconfiguring its services to make sure it can make contact with those most in need and come to them with hot meals, snacks and a wellbeing check. They are also offering ‘reassurance’ social telephone calls to older people from one of their friendly volunteers for a temporary period. Call them on 0808 196 2424 or email them at enquiries@agewiltshire.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Support are staying in touch with their local families with dementia in Wiltshire – with regular telephone calls to have a chat and check how families are doing and to arrange help with shopping. You can contact them on 01225 776481.
Carer Support Wiltshire – their face to face support is suspended. Care Act assessments will be carried out by phone wherever possible. They are still offering a telephone service (Monday to Thursday 9.30-16.30 and Friday 9.30-16.00. For support or advice call them on 0800 181 4118 or email them at admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk
Citizens Advice Wiltshire – their ‘drop in’ service and face to face appointments have been temporarily suspended until further notice. They say “Please do not come to any of our buildings or leave any paperwork for our staff at reception. For the time being, we will be operating a telephone and email only service. Extra advisers are being deployed to operate the telephone helpline during this time. Contact details and opening hours for the temporary service are as follows: If you need advice about Universal Credit, please call us on: 0800 144 8 444 (freephone) Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. For advice about anything else, please call us on: 03444 111 444 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm or email via contact us link on our website“
Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living – 0300 123 3442
Chippenham Children’s Centre The Rise Trust – have said that all their groups are cancelled and they will keep people updated on their courses as they find out more. They aren’t taking any more room bookings. Anyone with a health appointment booked in a Children’s Centre will need to contact the relevant agency to check it is still going ahead. They say “We are endeavouring to keep all 4 RISE Children’s Centres open as long as possible – The RISE, Spring Rise, Calne and RWB Children’s Centres. However this will be following social distancing protocol resulting in reduced staffing, i.e. 2 staff members per centre, 9am-3pm every day. Any queries please do not hesitate to phone one of our four Children’s Centres:
The RISE, Chippenham: 01249 463040
Spring Rise, Chippenham: 01249 464008
Calne: 01249 823247
RWB: 01793 851224
The Cause is now closed. They are setting up a Cause ‘Mutual Aid’ group for anyone who needs support or a friendly chat as we have a number of elderly and vulnerable people who we see every week. They will keep in touch through their website and Facebook and people are welcome to call them on 01249 446893 or email fred@thecausevenue.com or norma@thecausevenue.com
The Chippenham and district Constitutional Club – Consti Club Chippenham are offering out their help. “The Consti family is here to help. We know how hard it is at the moment to get the items you need, so for anyone struggling to get around or collect anything, we are here to offer a helping hand. Update 19.3 they are struggling to get food shopping for customers in need but if you need a prescription medication, checking up on relatives etc call them on: 07849491684
Barnes Coaches have said “Are you, or do you know someone who is self-isolating within the local area and is unable to get out to the local shops for essentials to get them through? Our drivers are available for free of charge errand running during this difficult time for anyone that may need it. Whether this is food shopping, picking up prescriptions or anything else we can do. The Barnes team will be happy to help! All our drivers will be in ‘Barnes’ branded vehicles, and are all DBS cleared. For errand requests, please call the Barnes office on 01793 821303 option 1 or email travel@barnescoaches.co.uk
From Friday 20th March, Waitrose supermarkets will dedicate the first opening hour as a priority shopping time for the elderly, vulnerable and those who look after them.
Sainsburys say that that they will help elderly and vulnerable customers access food online. From Monday 23rd March, NHS and social workers will be able to shop in their supermarkets from 7.30-8.00am Monday to Saturday (anyone with NHS ID will be able to shop at this time). Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, all their supermarkets are dedicate 8.00-9.00 to elderly customers, disabled customers and carers. They are also providing online delivery slots for elderly, disabled and vulnerable customers.
Tesco will prioritising one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 9-10am (except in their Express stores) to ensure their more vulnerable and elderly customers can shop in-store.
Iceland in Chippenham is opening its doors to elderly customers on Wednesdays from 7.30-9.30am.
Morrisons have introduced an NHS hour at all of their stores from 7-8am for all NHS badge holders. They are also encouraging contactless payments if possible – there isn’t a £30 limit with Apple or google pay now.
Allington Farm Shop are offering a pre-order minimal contact collection service and deliveries to Chippenham and it’s surrounding villages. Orders can be placed via email to sales@allingtonfarmshop.co.uk or telephone them 01249 658112
Wiltshire Council say that older and vulnerable residents will be able to use their bus passes before 9.30am from Friday 20th March to help them to get to the local supermarkets that are opening earlier.
Chippenham Town Council’s customer service at the Town Hall is now closed. You can get in touch by telephoning 01249 446699 or by emailing them.
Waterstones Chippenham have said if anyone is self isolating or can’t make it into their stores that they will deliver out books. 01249 446760. Chippenham@waterstones.com
Wiltshire Library – Anyone with a library card can access their e-audiobooks, ebooks. and e-magazines for free.
Chippenham Link Transport is still open for business helping to take people to and from medical appointments. The service they offer will be constrained by the number of the volunteers that are available – Call to volunteer or use their services on 01249 461881 or contact through their website.
Royal Mail says all parcels will be put in front of the door, their staff will then knock before stepping aside a safe distance to see you pick it up. If you’re unable to come to the door, they’ll give you a red card as normal.
First West of England bus service is planning to run the Saturday service during the week from Monday 23rd March to make sure it can keep delivering services. It says bus passenger numbers continue to reduce as people choose to stay at home or walk/cycle to their destinations.
National Trust have closed all their buildings, gated gardens and parks. Their countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived but they encourage people to stay local, check the individual websites and want visitors to follow government guidance on social distancing. All their toilet facilities are closed.
Nourishers will be delivering daily to the Chippenham area from Monday 23rd March. They say “We will be doing hot, delicious and cheap meals in the evening and food will be available from our lunch menu daily. As food purchasing is a bit unpredictable at the moment we will put menus up daily on our Facebook page with those who may like a healthy meal delivery” . They are working on an ordering system for lunch and coffee.
The Gladstone Arms are offering a £10 takeaway service Monday to Saturday 5-8.30pm. They are also doing a Roast Dinner available the same times and on Sundays 11.30-5pm for £13 main course and £5 dessert. Call them on 01249 660535 to place your order and pay. They will arrange a collection time for you to pick up your food. They say “We are only taking telephone orders and we cannot deliver. If the phone is busy or unanswered please leave a message and we’ll call you straight back. Please try and give us as much notice as possible.”
Chippenhampitstopjctseventeen are offering their full menu to takeaway. You can call ahead for delivery to your vehicle. They also have stocked their shelves with food to buy – you can call in advance with your order for delivery to your car of food and groceries. They have implemented an hourly cleaning regime and are asking all customers to wash their hands when they arrived – 01249 750645
La Passione are doing takeaway – Monday to Saturdays 4-9pm and Sundays 12-4.30pm. Phone to order on 01242 652162
BBC Radio Wiltshire are going to be doing a daily post with everything they know. Comment on their Facebook page posts, drop them a Direct Message or call them on 01793 513652 with any informations or updates.
If you have any updates or information that you would like us to share please send an email to Katie, our Communications Officer on Katie@cblc.org.uk.