Your safety and well-being is paramount.  We do not have either the time or financial resources to carry out criminal record checks on everyone who is volunteering help, although we do know that they all live locally.  It is therefore very important that you are careful in your dealings with someone that you don’t know.

1. Coronavirus is contagious. Goods will be delivered to your door by volunteers.  If you answer the door to them, keep your distance (2-3 metres) to avoid contact.
2. Keep a disinfectant spray/wipes to hand to clean your bell push/knocker/door handles. We are asking volunteers to wear disposable gloves, but these may not always be available.  Protect yourself.
3. Be vigilant in matters of finance. If volunteers collect shopping for you, you will have to arrange payment. You must agree in advance with the volunteer how this is to be done – by cash, cheque or bank transfer.  NEVER GIVE ANYONE YOUR BANK CARD AND PIN NUMBER.
4. Some local shops accept orders and payment over the phone – Bebbington’s butchers and Bebbington & Williams fishmongers at present. You can phone ahead and your volunteer can collect.  The supermarkets are still trying to organise telephone payment, but Broughton Post Office is offering home deliveries of groceries to the housebound (01244 531246).
5. The veg shop in Handbridge offers deliveries – ExSqeezeMe tel: 637960 exsqueezemechester@gmail.com
6. Morton’s Dairies deliver locally on Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 01244 374422, https://www.mortonsdairies.co.uk/  Not just milk – a whole range of products.
7. Francis Thomas (now based in town only) are offering to take orders and deliver supplies of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables as well as milk, bread, butter and eggs. Deliveries are currently planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays and orders should be placed a day in advance. There is no minimum order and no delivery charge.  When you have placed your order they will ring you back to take a card payment or you can arrange to leave cash.  They will give you an approximate time of delivery.
8. Although most supermarket delivery systems are over-whelmed, it might still be possible to place a ‘Click and Collect’ order which your volunteer could collect for you.

Please remember that many volunteers are still working or looking after children and may not be available at all times.  It goes without saying that we should all be kind, courteous and patient in our dealings with each other.

If you have any comments on how this system is working or can be improved, please let me know – we are all feeling our way in this unprecedented situation.

With all best wishes

Jennifer Crew

Chair, WPRA