Shopping for most vulnerable - Positive Wellbein...

Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

9,738 posts

Shopping for most vulnerable

Joan10 profile image
42 Replies

How do we manage shopping when in highest vulnerable group and no delivery slots are available at supermarkets?

Written by
Joan10 profile image
Joan10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

42 Replies
LeoGwen profile image
LeoGwen

I feel exactly the same Joan. No slots available from all the big supermarkets where I live in Scotland.

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to LeoGwen

None where I live in Scotland either Leo and I'm disabled and live alone! Terrible.

Nuttyshirlz profile image
Nuttyshirlz

I’d love to no that question too. I’ve just managed to get my pills delivered with boots but supermarket are impossible I’m even sitting up at midnight trying to get spot. If your alone government getting a home delivery sorted if you register. That’s what Boris says lol

Cookyboy1 profile image
Cookyboy1

Really tried every supermarket but alas no slots, I suppose we will have to wait for the army to turn up with food parcel

CDPO16 profile image
CDPO16

Hi, I just joined but am also struggling with supermarket delivery. There isn't the infrastructure to cope with the demand. Hope the supermarkets van step up soon.

Coffeebeans profile image
Coffeebeans

I'm lucky and can rely on some friends to shop while sorting out deliveries however there seems to be no way of prioritising delivery for the shielded group. It would good if this were to happen.

What worries me is that i haven't got any evidence from GP and am unlikely to get it quickly either as I'm newly diagnosed with fast changing dosages of drugs.

Thankfully my Rheumatology department called to tell me or else I wouldn't know but it also means I can't evidence vulnerable/shielded group.

LH44 profile image
LH44

All of Tesco slots are taken within 60 seconds of appearing & I haven't managed to get through on the Sainsbury's phone line to confirm vulnerable all week.

MaggieSylvie profile image
MaggieSylvie in reply to LH44

I'm in the same boat. Sent Sainsbury's a message to say why we are vulnerable but no response. Phone line engaged all the time. Had to go out. At least Lidl had what I wanted, which Sainsubury's wouldn't have had even if I'd got a slot. Much cheaper too. Very happy.

jillydabrat profile image
jillydabrat

Hi Joan, phone your local council. They will be operating a delivery system from volunteers or street wardens who will deliver whatever they can for you. I registered with my Council on line, now if I need shopping I contact them and get a call back to see what I need. People are still being morons and hoarding but they will try and get you the essentials at least. We make batches of food and freeze it. Hope you get sorted.

Jill

Xx

Bennijax profile image
Bennijax

It is very troublesome in London too. There are many volunteers to go and get, but none in my local areas where I prefer to shop. Sainsbury's mega store is hopeless. and I am concerned no one is helping those of us who need to shield. There need to be an overhaul of the online ordering and delivery systems very soon.

cazer profile image
cazer

Have you had a txt /letter from NHS fir High risk group... Link on there for food del through government..

If not in that group try sainsbury as they are giving priority slots to vulnerable...

If not try the local shop.. Ask if they can help you.. They might surprise you.. Xx

Marijo1951 profile image
Marijo1951 in reply to cazer

If you can get through to them to explain that you're vulnerable. I tried repeatedly from 7.15 today until after 11 a.m. The line was engaged until the last call when the recorded message said they weren't responding to any calls.

cazer profile image
cazer

Good luck.. Let's us know how you get on... Xx

Gillyflower18 profile image
Gillyflower18

Many of the stores here have special shopping hours for seniors and the vulnerable. Usually in the morning before opening when everything is still clean. People are good about maintaining safe distance and you get in and out real quick. I won’t have to go again for 2 to 3 weeks. Even able to get some paper products finally!

Sops profile image
Sops

Hi Joan10

I have tried every supermarket also and no slots.

Then I tried being pushy and rang my local farm shop to ask for some help. They are considering a service for the vunerable. No answer as yet.

I received my text comfirming vunerable status yesterday, and my surgery has just contacted me with some contact numbers of local people who're volunteering to offer some support. Might be worth ringing your surgery for advice.

I worked until almost 68 so don't know any local people.

Good luck and stay safe Sops

CarolM profile image
CarolM

We've got that problem too, but luckily the church and the neighbours have offered to help. We've got this week's shop though, so we're OK for a week or so.

The cats are OK though, I buy their food in monthly orders.

Banbha profile image
Banbha

Have a look outside of the main supermarkets too. I get milk from the milkman now and lots of local milkmen do other essentials like bread, butter etc. Neighbourfood has started delivering where I live also so maybe see if one is in your area. Many people who would normally have sold at farmers markets etc are now doing deliveries also. It seems that every day some new local shop is offering deliveries. The bonus of course is the money is going directly to someone in your community. It costs a bit more for sure but I’m not spending on anything else at the moment!

Banbha profile image
Banbha

Whereabouts roughly are you Joan - I’ll see if I can find anything local to you.

Joan10 profile image
Joan10 in reply to Banbha

Chelmsford

Banbha profile image
Banbha in reply to Joan10

Try wedeliverlocal.co.uk/ Iceland are limiting orders to elderly/self isolating customers

I’ll keep looking for more for you. Stay safe.

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to Banbha

It's very good of Iceland but they dont deliver to my postcode unfortunately.

CarpeDiem11 profile image
CarpeDiem11

You can register for the government help using the following link gov.uk/coronavirus-extremel...

I haven't tried it myself, and I'm sure since it's pnly just started that they will be over-run, but it's worth a try. Good luck

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to CarpeDiem11

Ive just tried the gov.uk link and You can only register for this help if you live in England !! The usual English Scottish divide !!

CarpeDiem11 profile image
CarpeDiem11 in reply to Catoutdoors

So sorry to hear that. Morrisons apparently are doing boxes for £35, but everything is already selected for you and M&S are doing something similar. I need to check this out myself as our neighbours have asked us to shop, but since I'm in the shielding group, I'm not keen on OH going out several times a week and he has already picked up some groceries and essentials for them. I hope you get somewhere with it, as this whole thing is stressful enough. I believe Iceland has been helpful for many.

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to CarpeDiem11

Thanks you CarpeDiem. Yes its certainly a stressful time for sure. Quite a few people have suggested Iceland but they dont deliver to my postcode !! I'll check out the food boxes, but both these stores are over 20 miles away so not sure if they'll deliver to my postcode.

CarpeDiem11 profile image
CarpeDiem11 in reply to Catoutdoors

I've jsut tried both for food boxes for our neighbours. Morrisons is sold out for today (don't know when they are restocking) and I did have one M&S box loaded, but by the time my neighbour got back to me, it was gone!! Looks like you have to keep trying. I would give the store a ring and see about delivery, but since M& S are charging £3.99 for delivery, I can't see why they wouldn't deliver, 20 miles or not. I've had a look in my Facebook group, but I couldn't find anyone posting about deliveries in Scotland- so sorry about that. Maybe put a sign on your door saying "Help needed" or like others have said, phone a local church for advice. It's ridiculous that you can't get food and I really feel for you. Sadly, I live too far away to be of any assistance, so I hope someone else can help you out. All the very best.

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to CarpeDiem11

Thank you Carpe. You sound like a kind person. I'm going to look into these food boxes although I expect there wi be none available the more people find out about them. Thanks again

CarpeDiem11 profile image
CarpeDiem11 in reply to Catoutdoors

I try my best, but I am sure I could do better lol :) I think unfortunately you are right about the boxes. I checked again today, but no luck. Surely people have stopped stockpiling by now? I'll keep looking for info on Scotland and get back to you if I find anything actually useful. Take care and all the very best.

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to CarpeDiem11

Thank you CarpeDiem. That's very kind of you. You take care too.

CarpeDiem11 profile image
CarpeDiem11 in reply to Catoutdoors

Try Viral Kindness Scotland. They are a group of volunteers trying to help the vulnerable. They have an 0800 number to call and also a form to fill in, so that someone can get back to you. Do you need more details? Good luck and hope this is useful to you 😉

TdeF profile image
TdeF

Good morning I had the same problems living alone and no local family. I live in Kent and emailed the council. The replied with contact number if a charity who can collect what I need. I called and the lady said give them 24 hours notice and they would sort out for me. May be worth trying your council it's lifted a weight from my shoulders. Stay safe well and happy . John

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

Wish I knew, It's taken 10 days to get a delivery and I haven't been able to get another since!

lgd333 profile image
lgd333

I've just responded to another member about this... When there's no delivery slots for 3 weeks, how can one shop then online? Also, I tried 2 online supermarkets and both have closed their delivery slot times.

Re delivery slots. Tesco are now opening slots for the next available day at your local Extra store. Only problem is these slots get released at midnight. Short of setting your alarm so you can get one not great timing.

Unfortunately as the whole online shopping system linked from HO to stores is automated for a large part they are unable to manually override when they release slots. So midnight it is

TdeF profile image
TdeF

I had a beautiful suprise this morning I did register with gov.uk as vulnerable and had a knock on my door this morning and a delivery driver with a food package. Had no idea this would happen I thought maybe someone would contact me and offer to collect bits of shopping for me. Had tins soup pasta tinned corned beef fruit salad tin tuna loaf of bread even loo rolls and fruit. Was so brilliant as I had nobody local to shop for me. Well done Gov.uk.

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to TdeF

Ive just tried to register TdeF and unfortunately this service is only available in England . I live in Sotland

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors

I've just written a post similar to yours Joan10. I'm 65, disabled, live alone and can't get a delivery slot for over a month. Tesco have no prioity home delivery slots for the most vulnerable!! I believe Iceland are doing the right thing, but they don't deliver to my address. All the major supermarkets should be allocating slots to the more needy. Terrible!!

Todothings profile image
Todothings

I registered on the government website got a reply N said haven't I got a letter from gp we will get in contact, in meantime why don't I order online or get others to shop for you yesterday spent few hours on council website but all good parcel delivery schemes are for the v elderly or others arnt self referrals even the charity that's helping with the condition i have i need referring to jus feel so useless keep on asking others for help it's so stressful sorry for ranting on

Catoutdoors profile image
Catoutdoors in reply to Todothings

Sorry Todothings. It's very stressful and frustrating. Ordering online is a joke. You cant get a delivery slot. Although these food boxes are a good idea they are sold out. I actually got an Asda slot tonight for Sat and couldn't believe it. I felt like dancing around the living room but as I can hardly walk never mind dance thats not a good idea lol The slot just appeared by magic as I ad kept the window open on my phone so maybe you could try the same. Good luck and take care.

Cheeky sods £3.49 for a loaf!

Yes that's still a rip off for what it is charging that for a pasty like they do in the services! Still they are cheeky sods charging that amount!

Todothings profile image
Todothings

I had couple help me out with shopping it was quite a big shop so am ok for bout a week it's jus orange juice keep on running out tho

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

You may also like...

COVID-19: 'VULNERABILITY'

I believe shopping online has been a nightmare with some people only getting delivery slots 3 weeks...

A cycle ride then the weekly shop

by around 11:00. I then thought I'd do the weekly shop and it was still dry - bonus. The rain...

Online supermarket shopping

Not sure how those who are not classed as vulnerable have got any online food orders but I’ve got a...

COVID SHOPPING 29/4/20

call it quits Shop another day for the missing bits That’s the story of the COVID shop Go around in...

A most unusual dance.

leaving my armchair. And who wouldn't take the trip when you can discover extraordinary things...