Wish I had stockpiled - what to do now?!

[bananaloff]

So it would appear DH has Covid-19. Gone through the NHS 111 page and he is symptomatic, so following the guidelines, he must self isolate for 7 days. The rest of us - me and 2 kids must self isolate for 14 days.

I have been responsible for getting my neighbours shopping (over 70's - unable to get a delivery slot online) as well as my parents (who did finally manage to get a slot online as DF is on the vulnerable list)

How the fuck do I now look after my neighbours and my own family for the next week? I've been trying to go shopping just once a week, and last went on Friday so we are now very low on fresh stuff, and I know my neighbours will be too. My neighbours the other side have a young family and are already buying for the elderly couple who live on the other side of them so I can hardly ask them to get for me and the other neighbours too.

I know in the grand scheme of things we will somehow manage (freezer roulette anyone?) but I feel so bad that I can't get my neighbours stuff. I've put off telling them but know I'm going to have to make that call soon, so they can try and make some alternative arrangements (god know what - their own daughter lives about 40 miles away and I've not seen her for months)

Don't know why I'm posting - just made me realise how tough it is and must be especially for those on the 12 week lockdown....

Well, it's time for neighbours to call on their daughter for help.

Local Facebook page for Coronovirus volunteers and local shops that will deliver?

could you order a food delivery for your neighbours and yourselves from muscle foods? they have fresh veggies under the 'vegetarian and vegan' tab, and its easy where to find the meat. they also have things like rice if you use the search bar at the top. check if creamline deliver to you for milk, bread and eggs. you could also see if your local church has a list of people who will need help getting food delivered, ours has a list of volunteers willing to go shopping for people like your neighbours and yourselves

all the best

Are you on facebook? Seriously get on there and ask for help. This is exactly the sort of situation that people want to help out with.
See if you can get a delivery slot for your elderly neighbours? Any other neighbours you can ask?

You'll be fine, you just need to ask for help.

See if you could add items to your mum and dad's slot?
Also lots of local businesses are delivering to people in isolation. Join the local Facebook groups because these are brilliant for support.

There are lots of local places near me that are doing deliveries - farm shops, butchers, pubs etc. Also look at wholesale places that are still delivering.

Your neighbors will be able to use local services too - you can't take responsibility for everyone.

What a worry for you. I think there's a lot of variance depending on your area.

I'd look at your local Authority's website to see what they're doing for the vulnerable without any help. The daughter could do that for her parents if they're not able to.

Any local community Facebook groups? Might be a shop that's diversified with stock and deliveries.

Some stores may be able to offer some help, maybe not official delivery but via a taxi, worth some direct contact attempts.

Morrisons foodboxes - demand is high but worth checking periodically particularly if you're struggling to sleep in the small hours.

But most of all, you're doing the responsible thing by self isolating, so don't feel bad about not being able to get neighbour's shopping.

I hope DH recovers quickly and you all stay well

Loads of smaller local places are delivering - have a look on FB, you will get sorted. Don't panic! Your parents have a slot so they are ok. Your neighbours will have to get sorted by their daughter, 40 miles is hardly that far. In fact maybe she could bring you something too given how helpful you have been????

Do keep checking supermarkets delivery slots too, as they are adding more. Even worth looking at the next day etc.

Parsleybox online are delivering meals also could try Wiltshire farm food, farm boxes, focus on your family and get the others to sort themselves out or find other help. take care

You need to ask for help got yourself (groceries) and inform neighbours they need to ask someone else as you are self isolating, same with your parents

Take care

Have you looked at nextdoor.co.uk, they have set up a Help map, listing people in your area that have offered help and what they're wiling to do, shopping, dog walking etc, you may be able to find assistance there for your neighbours and your family if needed,

Where I am there are loads of face book groups often done by postcode and lots of business have started doing online delivery. Lots of volunteers doing shopping for people . I’m doing regular shops for two people who can’t get out and making sure they are ok and staying in touch with there family for them . I’m even delivering a birthday cake & card to someone mum who is SI tomorrow .
There is lots of help out there if you ask for it .
Wiltshire farm foods are great but not accepting new orders .
My sister managed to get a tescos delivery slot last night by staying up till midnight and getting a slot for two weeks time .

rapid.waitrose.com/

www.marksandspencer.com/mands-food-box/p/p60016371
www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes

www.coop.co.uk/in-store-services/home-delivery

These are all basic food boxes that the supermarkets deliver - no choice and you may need to log on early to secure one.

www.wedeliverlocal.co.uk/

This may be worth a look too.

Look at local farm shops too, many are delivering.

There lazy daughter needs to get her finger out and help. This sounds very familiar to a family member. He hasn’t seen his mother for weeks. Hasn’t bothered about shopping. Taking his son down to say hello at the window to his gran. Him and his wife boasting on fb how great they are. It’s left to other family members to get her shopping, medicine.

My local Covid Facebook group has people falling over themselves to help out in situations like this - I’m sure if you ask on yours someone will be able to help.

And do try online deliveries. We got one this morning that came and only booked it yesterday am.

Just wanted to say I hope you're okay and to take care of yourself. How kind of you to still be thinking of your neighbours. I guarantee that your other neighbours with the young family wouldn't think twice about extending that help given the circumstances but if you feel like it would be too much, as others have said local Facebook is your friend. I've managed to get a meat delivery from a local butcher and a box of fresh fruit and veg delivered and I bet your community will want to help also.

Thanks everyone for all the great support and ideas. I went onto Facebook and there is a local Covid 19 Mutual support group for the local area - they have been brilliant.

Expecting a call tomorrow - just need to convince the neighbours it's a legit scheme. That said - the volunteer group have said they will help us as well as we are self isolating - so will let neighbours know we will use the service too so hopefully that will reassure them.
I was so worried about them - it's a huge relief to know I can get this sorted for them. If anyone else is in a similar situation, would recommend taking the advice posted her.

For us it will only be a couple of weeks and I will go back to shopping for the neighbours once we are out of isolation.

Meanwhile, thanks to all on here for the ideas, but also thanks to any volunteers who are doing this on a daily basis to help people out. Fabulous community spirit.