How on earth am I supposed to self isolate?

[GammaRays]

Hi, I'm in a bit of a sticky situation and need some advice.

DS today got a high temperature out of nowhere. I called 111 and they've said I need to self isolate. However, I'm a single parent to DS, who's father is legally not allowed near us and for very good reason. My parents are both at risk and already self isolating, and the two friends I have who live nearby have both gone to stay with family far away. Every delivery slot of every supermarket is booked, and I cannot drive to do click and collect.

So, on Friday I'll be really running out of food. I don't know my neighbours (they all keep to themselves). What the hell am I meant to do? Even my local Facebook is saying they can't take any more requests for help as they're prioritising the elderly, which I completely understand, but in short, I'm screwed aren't I?

@GammaRays, I am in a similar situation, except that I drive... had a Tesco delivery that had been booked for three weeks ago get cancelled on me late last week, that I had been absolutely relying on... I actually cried my eyes out, and it takes a lot for that to happen!
now having to go out to the local Waitrose for small shops as I can only fit stuff under the buggy or what I can carry, and the looks I get anyway at taking dd out in the first place... like I want to? Plus I hear that they are now banning kids from shops? So that's me buggered...
I have zero family able to help and her father is also absent for very good reasons
Have you any farm shops nearby? I don't, so ignore me if that's a stupid suggestion anyway...
I also find that people are suggesting vegetable boxes etc, which when there are only two of you works out massively expensive and wasteful.
It's fucking difficult isn't it?

rapid.waitrose.com

delivery of small shop within two hours - I could have got one this afternoon, but not self isolating so combined it with exercise walk.

Hi all wondering if anyone is in this position or knows what I'm dealing with as far as rights go.

I'm due back to work after my mat leave in two weeks time, due to the coronavirus my nursery ha closed even to key workers.

I am not keen to put my child into a temporary one until the original the opens, my other half is a key worker so can't look after them and everyone else is either high risk or isolating etc etc

Do we receive any form of help from our jobs if we aren't able to work due to the coronavirus? I guess it's not due to actually the virus it is due to zero child care but that is because of the virus.....have no idea where I stand if I'd be entitled to statutory sick pay or completely zero??

Many thanks in advance for any advice xxxx

We had one of the Morrisons boxes today and were quite impressed - no treats (!) but definitely enough food to keep you going. I can recommend it and for £35 I thought it was well thought out if you aren't too fussy what you eat.

Look at the local shops, many are delivering supplies now. Milkmen are delivery more than just milk. Amazon do fresh and dry grocery deliveries in some areas. Ask for help on local FB groups.

www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Fresh-UK-Grocery-Shopping/b?node=6723205031&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

www.amazon.co.uk/Coffee-Snacks-International-Speciality-Food/b?node=340834031&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

www.supermarketdelivery.co.uk/chelmsford/

www.wedeliverlocal.co.uk

www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes

www.nutriboxmeals.com

www.facebook.com/essexcoronavirusaction/

We have a local list of volunteers in Boreham are you far from there?

OP is your DS school age? Try calling the school and asking if they would be able to put you in touch with local families who could drop some shopping off? If they can't do that, our school is doing food parcels and somebody might be able to drop one off. Schools are supposed to be hubs for the community. School may be 'closed' but there might well be some staff in.

I'd try all your neighbours, obviously the neighbours who has to shield isn't your best bet.

Your child's school will be able to help.

Local schools, churches, foodbanks, plus Facebook groups are pulling together. When I make a meal I'm portioning some up for a neighbour who is on their own and we've been isolated for a while so aren't a risk. I leave it on her porch.

If you post what you have in posters can help with meal plans too. Feed your family for £1 a day Facebook group has good ideas. Covid Mutual "your area' is the best way to find the Facebook groups. There's often more than one.

You are NOT alone my love. No one will starve. For every wanger buying 20 packets of loo roll I've seen tens of people offering food, lifts, to pick up shopping and prescriptions. Don't be shy of asking. You're not the only one.

poster user1478639495

You can’t claim sick pay when you can’t work due to childcare issues. Holiday, unpaid leave, work from home? You need to speak to your employer ASAP, they may be happy to put you as furlough

www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

Posted on NextDoor, hoping for a response!

Neighbour text back saying she will get me food if I give her the cash to first, that she won't take a bank transfer. I have no cash and funnily enough can't go out to the cash point (we have 1 in my town, a fair walk away).

Unfortunately I'm not in Chelmsford but in a small town (really a village) nearish to it. Thank you so much though, I'm working my way through all the suggestions here!

There is company near me (Scotland) that normally provides food for restaurants/hotels etc that are now delivering food to people's homes instead. They have a website that runs pretty much the same as any big supermarket but slightly more expensive. Obviously they wouldn't be able to deliver to you but you might have something similar nearby?
Wishing you the best! X

try your local vicar - round here they are providing a base for volunteers to provide support - they would know who can help. My local FB group just had a call out for help for a single mum and was inundated with offers.

Try this from the Chelmsford city council website

I mean this was pretty inevitable tbh

Check on fb, there are lots of local companies delivering food boxes round me and I dont live in a city or anything

Also I am sure your neighbours will be willing to help, everyone understands the situation

Do you have any work colleagues or anything? You must know someone, I dont know anyone not willing to buy food for someone right now

If not you might be living off takeaways from friday

I'm not far from you, try Barleylands farm shop or south woodham vegetables depending on which side of Chelmsford you are. If you want to pm me i can let you have the list of people delivering that I've got

Beelivery app delivered , its pricier but you can get basics

I'm sure I heard somewhere that things were being put in place for social services to help. Maybe call your local social services to explain and see what they can do?

Our local taxi company are delivering food boxes. I have 3 coming tomorrow as we are 10 days into self isolating and seriously running low. Also we got a takeaway last night. I know some people are saying it's risky but we had got to the takeaway or starve stage.

Your local council might be able to help by putting you in touch with a local community group that might help. Or small farm shops are offering delivery services.

Your mum should be able to drop off a food parcel surely, even if it's just a parcel of spare stuff she has?

Have you tried:

www.essex.gov.uk/get-help-in-your-community

Can you ask your dc school for a contact? Some local farm shops, corner shops, pubs and dairies are offering deliveries of essentials.

Just had a message back (5 actually) on the nextdoor app, seems some of my neighbours do want to help! Thank you all so much and I'll definitely be working my way through all the suggestions on here too just in case.

Sorry if my post was annoying or stressful, I had just worked myself into a right panic, especially when I messaged my friends and then they were away.

Is the neighbour who wants cash worried about giving out her bank details? If so they may let you transfer some money to them by PayPal. All you need for that is their email address that they used for their account I think. Hope someone else on the app offers to help. lots of help being asked for and given on our local support site on Facebook.

Hi there - we live near Chelmsford. Hubby is shopping at Sainburys South Woodham and could drop a shop off for you ?