Are you receiving the vulnerable pers... - Positive Wellbein...

Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

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Are you receiving the vulnerable person's food box each week?

wiserlady profile image
75 Replies

If so what are your thoughts on it? And the contents?

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wiserlady profile image
wiserlady
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75 Replies
Jennymary profile image
Jennymary

I thought you only had one box

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toJennymary

Its a box each week

Jennymary profile image
Jennymary

I know, I've just checked, hope we get a variety of stuff each week, I only registered Saturday so still finding my way around everything

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toJennymary

have youa received one yet, how as it?

Jennymary profile image
Jennymary in reply towiserlady

Not so far doubt if they'd deliver tomorrow

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone

Everybody seems to get much the same : large loaf of white bread with expiry date in 2021., pasta, rice, cereal of some sort ( I got cornflakes the first time, cheerios this week ) large bags of potatoes and carrots. Fruit of some sort ( apples and satsumas first week, pears the second ). 3 tins of soup. 2 small tins or 1 large of fruit. Tin of either peas or sweetcorn. Either 2 jars of pasta sauce or 2 tins tomatoes. Small tin tuna. Tin chopped pork. ( some people are getting meatballs or corn beef or a tinned pie instead.) 20/40 sachets of tea/coffee/drinking chocolate. Small bar of soap and some shower gel. 1 or 2 loo rolls. I think that's it. If this was really all you had it would be a grim prospect but is very welcome as an addition. Oh I forgot, 2 litres of long life semi skim milk.

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone in reply toAngelagone

Something else I forgot; packet of biscuits , usually either digestive or fig rolls.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toAngelagone

same here

Bobbyo1 profile image
Bobbyo1 in reply toAngelagone

I have the same in my box each week but finding I running out out cupboard space I feel honoured to have one but I may ask if they have someone else in mind as I feel guilty receiving itxx

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone

I've managed to reply to myself, I see. It's the lockdown, talking to myself. Also a packet of biscuits.

springcross profile image
springcross in reply toAngelagone

😀😀 👍

in reply toAngelagone

😀

I am sixty nine, classified vunerable If I was three months older I may have been given on.

However I am very independent still so we leave the boxes to the needy.

BOB

Bobbyo1 profile image
Bobbyo1 in reply to

It for the people who cannot get out you should have had a letter they do not go by age as I am 65 with low immunity

in reply toBobbyo1

Hello Bobby

Yes I know, they are changing the work things out, possible changes on Monday.

I am seventy in three months time and they are widening the the rules to cover age, disability and Mental concerns I understand. We are getting delivered food from Supermarkets and their lists are getting full very quickly. We can get various organisations to shop for us although if we can do it ourselves that still is the best way too go

BOB

Ghounds profile image
GhoundsReading Rabbits

Also unsuitable for those with allergies.

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34

On the phone they do ask if you have any special dietary needs😊

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34

We recieved our first boxes today. My husband didn't send a text because I was able to do the food shopping . But last week our local council phoned him and told him to accept the food delivery as it would save me from going to the shop more often and possibly me bringing the virus into our home. 😊

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toBuddy34

Exactly. Even if you can go to the shop why go when its dangerous now? daft My partner is not on the vulnerable list yet he closed down his business and retired as soon as all this happened, at great financial cost. Because it was that or meeting strangers every day risking getting the virus each day -both for himself and bringing it home to me , a vulnerable. We also agreed we would not go to the shops and risk that now. We have a lot of friends who go shopping everyday, one of our friends will go to Sainsburys, then Morrisons and then Tesco in the same day - he is 74 and on the vulnerable list.More fool him.

ninelives profile image
ninelives

We are on week 4 of the food boxes,as unable to get regular supermarket slots.

The box contents are as others have said - the fruit varies from week to week but staples remain the same.

Very grateful for them

When I rang council to cancel the deliveries was advised to go to govt website as the foodboxes are sent out via them.

Really appreciate food now...

Ghounds profile image
GhoundsReading Rabbits

There's a list of qualifying medical conditions, also receiving a letter telling you to shield entitles you to help. However provision has been patchy and many with qualifying conditions have been missed.

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone

It's not age, I'm 66. Register yourself on gov.uk site as being extremely vulnerable. Even if you're not on the list, I believe you can get in touch with your local council.

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired in reply toAngelagone

Doesn't work if you are in Wales or Scotland. YouGov only recognises English Postcodes.

Contact Customer Services at your normal supermarket for online slots. I have just got mine. Had to explain I was 72, Partially sighted so couldn't drive, and list my aliments. Got a call from Tesco authorising me for Vulnerable slots.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toAngelagone

Thought the doctors tell them who is eligible. you cant decide u are just because it suits you. The doctors give them a list. if your not on it then your not entitled to same help.

Elle-26 profile image
Elle-26 in reply towiserlady

Yes my letter was sent due to my GP saying I was vulnerable and needed to self isolate fully. I'm grateful of the government food boxes in the beginning as I couldn't get an online delivery.. I've now cancelled the food box online by filling the form out again but they still deliver. There's no phone no.to contact anyone either. I bag it up now and it all goes to those who are in need of it.

At age, seventy years old

Heart conditions, Cancer, breathing conditions. Dementia etc

I am sixty nine, seventy in a couple of months time and disabled, I also have an immune system problem that attacks my body. I am not entitled to a box. I even suffer persistent

Dizzy turns because of spine problems in the neck. I am classed as vulnerable Severe PsA

BOB

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply to

that seems so unfair, it sounds like you very much need the same help as the other vulnerable people

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

There is a link online about this. The conditions I remember are severe respiratory disease (I am classed as mild copd so don't qualify), heart conditions, diabetes, and if you are immune deficient. It's basically those who are at greater risk if they contract the virus and are being shielded. I can only speak about the UK though.

I am considered at risk but not high risk, but it really hacks me and my sister off as she is crippled with osteoarthritis and uses 2 sticks. I have the same in my back but only need 1 stick. Neither of us have a car or any young members of the family to help us out so are forced to pay for cabs. I have to put my lungs at risk and also have to queue the same as able bodied young people and walk round the whole flaming store following the arrows. This when it is very painful for us both to walk. Fortunately I bought a walking stick with a little seat attached a few months ago from a charity shop which enabled me to queue for half an hour at Iceland's last week to get our shopping, otherwise we would both be stuffed as there are no online shopping slots available for love nor money.

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone in reply tohypercat54

Time for the goverment/supermarkets to sort this out I feel, and make slots available only to people who are vulnerable because of age, illness, disability or circumstance. I've been lucky to finally secure a regular weekly slot with asda starting on may 9th and the relief is enormous after a month of spending hours online, with little success.

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply toAngelagone

Well done and like you say a big relief. I was only just managing with heavy shopping well before the crisis and have been considering online shopping for a while. The new conditions of queuing etc. have pushed me over the edge and I suffer the rest of the day with being unable to do anything else. It wipes my sister out for a couple of days.

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone in reply tohypercat54

Wish I could share my slots with you !

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply toAngelagone

Ha ha x

Angelagone profile image
Angelagone in reply tohypercat54

No guarantee of course they'll be actual food delivered. My last asda delivery just before lockdown was missing bread, milk eggs, potatoes, cheese...I've buried my pride and hanging onto the goverment box until I see what happens !

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply toAngelagone

Oh dear all the essentials.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toAngelagone

Same here. We ordered from Asda including two boxes of eggs. With substitutes if needed. They have loads of diferent eggs yet no eggs and it said NO SUITABLE SUBSTITUTE. This is ridiculous when they have a shopful of eggs and could have given us some different ones. I suspect that as we go for cheap eggs the other eggs cost a considerable amount more and they didnt want to switch cheap ones for dear ones.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toAngelagone

You could say that only those listed by their doctor as vulnerable should be allowed slots and nobdoy else , but then the shops would not get enough delivery orders to make it a viable service. I see a lot of people making naive or short sighted mistakes at the moment. i.e. one of our friends goes to the shops every day, but not just one shop, two or three each time. He us 74 and unwell but still does it. Yet he insists that his family and friends cannot visit him in case he catches the virus! It doesnt occur to him that going shopping is just as dangerous and it would at least be sensible to go a lot less often. He then had a delivery from a supermarket. Then the day after he went to three supermarkets again.

in reply tohypercat54

Hello B.

I am like you classified at risk, although not needful enough so we are lucky to get our food delivered from two Supermarkets, so that helps. I have been down to town two weeks ago when I fell down and broke my glasses, then one week later when I had to have a B12 injection, we visited Aldi and did some more shopping to complement what we could not get some stuff to be delivered. You know I am seventy soon and it is to say strange that even at this age with my disabilities I am still thought not Screened , just at risk.

I understand your COPD you will have breathing problems and it sounds wrong that you cannot get help.

My Doctor has me down for my medications are brought to me and several people in our Hamlet and nearby village will do our shopping for us. I have only used someone picking up my script.

Have you any groups nearby that could pick up your groceries

BOB xx

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to

Those who are high risk are those with certain conditions or severe respiratory or heart problems. This is because getting the virus is more likely to be fatal. Other conditions such as arthritis or only having 1 leg for example doesn't increase your risk for illness.

I am classed as mild copd so while I am risk I am not considered high risk and in need of govt. help.

in reply tohypercat54

B.

So true, this does not bother me I am managing,

Try local health groups, they can help with shopping and medication pick ups.

My immune system attacks my body, still independence is very important still so I do not need the parcels.

B. If you are feeling uncomfortable with your breathing have a chat with your GP.

they may be able to arrange assistance

We use Supermarket delivery instead of going into town, so we remain in lock down.

The only time I need to go out is appointments at surgery

BOB

Elle-26 profile image
Elle-26 in reply tohypercat54

Have you tried local help? People volunteer to get peoples shopping that can't or struggle. Your local shops should be able to deliver or know organisations that can.

Kkakdugi profile image
Kkakdugi

Where do you guys live and what is a vulnerable persons food box? I am from the US.

R1100S1 profile image
R1100S1 in reply toKkakdugi

UK with a free health service!!!!

Kkakdugi profile image
Kkakdugi in reply toR1100S1

Wow! UK is awesome! Here in the US we have a crappy president and our healthcare system sucks!

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired in reply toKkakdugi

We may end up in the same boat as you if trade talks go badly.

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply toKkakdugi

I was reading that the USA is the only developed country in the world without a universal healthcare system. It gave examples of a British man having covid19 and getting free treatment on the NHS, and an American having the same treatment and ending up owing thousands of dollars. Apparently the ambulance ride alone cost $2,000. Horrific.

Kkakdugi profile image
Kkakdugi in reply tohypercat54

I know! It’s embarrassing...

Elle-26 profile image
Elle-26 in reply toKkakdugi

Wasnt Trump, it always has been a paid health Service or Insurance.. My US friends were horrified over Obamacare..

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34 in reply toKkakdugi

These food boxes were introduced for people who have had a letter from the government advising them they should stay indoors for 13 weeks ,that was about 5 weeks ago now.

Lots of stuff that will keep in the cupboard until you use it.

Our local authority even introduced a dog walking service . I think it's a great thing they have in place if you really need it 😊

exy21 profile image
exy21

I get the box. Similar but I get porridge (scotland) for breakfast. Carrots instead of tinned veg. And meat this week was 1 tin meatballs.

Marcy47 profile image
Marcy47

I didn't receive my shielding letter until last week, but hubby and I are both vulnerable, me because I am over 70 and on 8mg Pred. and hubby has had 2 strokes and now has Parkinson's. We decided to stay inside on March 16th.

I saw the boxes advertised in the local paper, so phoned the council and asked for a delivery every week, after a few questions I was told to set up a standing order on-line for £15 a week and it would be delivered every Tuesday. I couldn't get a supermarket slot for 3 weeks so it was very useful. I also got a note put through the door from a neighbour who works in the care sector offering to do any shopping or collect prescriptions or just to call for a chat. She has 2 young children and has been wonderful, we sent her a big bunch of flowers last week. Morrisons slots are becoming easier to get now and I have a big delivery coming next Tuesday, so I have cancelled the Council box, someone more needy can have it.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toMarcy47

We never read the local paper.

Marcy47 profile image
Marcy47

We do here. They are organised by the Town Council who are always cash-strapped. They are good value for money I think, a big box of basics. Easter week I got an Easter egg.

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply toMarcy47

I didn't know any of the councils charged as its supposed to be free.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply tohypercat54

Personally I would not see the point in buying a box off the council and paying £15 for it. Most of the stuff in the box is not your choice and something you would never buy in a million years. You might as well get Asda or Tesco to deliver £15 of things you like instead. At the start it was impossible for us to get deliveries from supermarkets, now it is easy, the only thing we find awkward is that you cannot order more than 3 of one thing. So if you want four tins of baked beans its tough luck, unless you get 3 of the one you want and 1 of a brand you dont like. That system is flawed. If they can spare you four they may as well give you the four you prefer.

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply toMarcy47

telegraph.co.uk/politics/20...

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

No, I don't get one I'm 72 and the rules are different in Wales.

On a brighter note, I have finally been given the go-ahead for Tesco Vulnerable slots! Took some getting and a letter to the CEO, but got there in the end!

Cheers, Midori

ninelives profile image
ninelives

Well done re delivery,Midori.

Am sure the supermarkets are facing an uphill struggle with their vulnerable customer slots,as I said Asda have a 15 day wait for vulnerable when we booked last weekend.

However am so grateful to get food delivered as am abiding by govt guidelines and not been out for 7 weeks now.

We at least have access to food,those poor souls elsewhere here and overseas have nothing

kitkatkaz profile image
kitkatkaz

I thought I should have been a vulnerable person, but I seem to have been forgotten. or my gp doesn't think I am. I have been self isolating for 7 weeks now. any help would have been appreciated, I feel like I am eating food that isn't healthy for me. I tried to call gp, and all I got back was a link to the government guidelines, so I haven't got cancer and I haven't had a transplant, but I can hardly walk and receive pip and esa. any advice would be appreciated.

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired in reply tokitkatkaz

I'd keep on at your GP, With PIP and ESA, I'm pretty sure you should. A lot depends on individual circumstances, age, conditions, medications, etc. If you are in England, it's worth trying the YouGov site, or even your local Social Services.

Cheers, Midori

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply tokitkatkaz

think they only count you as VULNERABLE if you are more likely to get the virus or die from it. hence those with copd, asthma, etc because it goes to lungs, not a gammy leg which has no connection to it.

kitkatkaz profile image
kitkatkaz in reply towiserlady

yes I am struggling to walk, but I also have asthma, arthritis, nash cirrhosis, thrombosis in portal vein, in fact it fills up a whole page for the consultant and the letter starts on the following page. the doc(gp) doesn't seem to be reading all my notes but agreed I am vulnerable but my immune system is not impaired enough. by the time I get it sorted it will all be back to normal or as normal as it will ever be.

thanks for your comment though.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply tokitkatkaz

Am very sorry to hear that but struggling to walk doesnt have any connection wiht the virus, it doesnt make you more likely to get it.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady

I got large loaf white bread, pasta, bag rice, box cereal - wheetos, small bag carrots, large bag potatoes, apples, 3 tins soup, usually tomato or carrot, two tins baked beans, sometimes tins peas. two jars of pasta sauce or tins tomatoes, maybe one big tin intead. tin meat balls or fray bentos meat pie, some tea, coffee, tiny slithers of soap that dont get soap, shower gel, 2 loo rolls. some milk. like angelagone says it would be grim if this is all you got and you would starve.

We need to be SHIELDED Cancer, lungs etc

BOB

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

No, now I have the Tesco slots I can manage, although I did have a veg box a couple weeks back, I didn't continue with it. There is someone doing a meat box, but right now,as I have my fridge freezer and it is now full, I shall be fine, barring power cuts! ;)

Cheers, Midori

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

Yes, I'm planning to get a Chest freezer as well, so I can batch cook and freeze meals ready to go. I tell my son I want one big enough to hide the bodies! ;)

Cheers, Midori

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

It only covered England, when I tried to join up. That's why I ended up writing to Tesco CEO!

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

I have a feeling that I am still on the English websites, rather than the Welsh. I don't know how to change them over. I'm a technophobe nowadays, I have lost my way as I haven't kept up.

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toMidori

We have found that praying every day helps us a lot. We use a free forum online, that way we can do it when it suits us, and anyway with the lock down we cant go to church now. A friend of ours, who is a minister's wife now "goes to church" online sunday mornings.But we prefer to sign on and off more often and when we feel in the mood and have spare time. The forum we use is totally free, no sign up or waiting or spam later. At accuratepsychicreadingsonli...

Midori profile image
MidoriVisually impaired

Thank you for that, actually I am just getting back into Spiritual things, I am a healer and clairsentient. Having recently moved, My cards, etc., are still packed.

Cheers, Midori

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toMidori

Very interesting. The spiritual side of life can help us when we go through tough times or lonely times can't it? I find it does anyway. Have had some excellent psychic and clairvoyant readings online from a well known lady Rosemary Price, it has been a while since that happened, because where some of my friends tend to see it as entertainment or fun or something to do when bored I only turn to it when there is a real need, such as when my guy was very ill and it was touch and go just over a year ago. Hope you are coping well with all of this lock down and all that goes with it.

ninelives profile image
ninelives

Hi kitkatkaz

Do hope that you persevered re delivery slots and food boxes.

Asda still have an average wait time here in North Warwicks of 15 days.

Thank goodness for tinned food ,long life milk, fridges and freezers.

Will never take fresh fruit and vegetables for granted again!

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady in reply toninelives

We started to grow some.

ninelives profile image
ninelives

We are trying to grow Pak choi,choy sum and runner beans -absolute beginners here!!

wiserlady profile image
wiserlady

its fun isnt it? time consuming but fun and we have more time now so that dont matter. we are trying to grow runner beans, mange tout, beetroot and carrots, very few carrots appearing and no beetroots at all but the mange tout is doing ok.

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