Covid-19 Advice and Information

Totnes Town Council Advice and Help

The Council Offices are currently closed to the public, but Councillors and Officers are working from home and able to answer your questions. We will keep this area updated with local news, particularly on which local shops are able to deliver, as well as updating information from local and national level government.

Update as of 11th May 2020 - frequently asked questions about what you can and cannot do

LiveWest - Advice for Residents

LiveWest had updated their website to include a section on the Covid-19 outbreak and inlcudes a message for its customers

Totnes Community Help and Volunteering

If you are looking for some help because you are self-isolating or struggling, please contact the following organisations:

Totnes Caring – info@totnescaring.org.uk or call 01803 865684

Totnes Connection Hub – info@totnesconnectionhub.co.uk or call 01803 840354 / 07946 821154 for food bank enquiries and help if you are homeless.

Food in the Community - foodincommunitycic@gmail.com

Caring Town Totnes - www.caringtown.org.uk

South Hams District Council - CommunityCoordination.Covid19@swdevon.gov.uk

Totnes Help Hub on Facebook

If you would like to volunteer your time to help some of the established community groups in the town, please complete this Totnes Volunteer Form - we will share your details with volunteer organisations who need help.

Alternatively in order that your time and skills are made best use of, we would suggest that you contact one of the following local community groups direct who have established volunteer networks and have prior knowledge of those who are vulnerable in our community, or who have requested help with the introduction of self-isolation. They are:

Totnes Caring – info@totnescaring.org.uk or call 01803 865684

Totnes Connection Hub – info@totnesconnectionhub.co.uk or call 01803 840354 / 07946 821154

Bridgetown Alive – email eagleowl1429@gmail.com

Food in the Community - foodincommunitycic@gmail.com

Caring Town Totnes - www.caringtown.org.uk

NHS Volunteers Good Sam www.goodsamapp.org/nhs

Community Voluntary Services

Totnes Help Hub on Facebook

Citizens Advice

Crisis teams (Domestic Violence/Rape/Childline)

Befriending services

In addition, South Hams District Council is harnessing community effort and volunteers as part of a nationally integrated plan to ensure that vulnerable people are cared for, looked after and protected. This plan will be directed at Devon County Council level, co-ordinated by the Red Cross. Contact: CommunityCoordination.Covid19@swdevon.gov.uk

Totnes Shopping and Delivery

The shops may be closed but you can still support local businesses and get your goods delivered to you:

TAKEAWAY FOOD - COLLECTION OR DELIVERY it's not exhaustive but please see below a list of the local eateries which we know are offering a food collection or delivery service:

Silver Grill – takeaways on Monday to Thursday 4.45-8pm, and Friday and Saturday 11.45 am-2pm and 4.45-8pm.

Waterside Bistro – collections Wednesday to Saturday from 5-8pm, please order online

Pie Street – take away and delivery options Wenesday to Sunday 1pm-8.30pm please call 01803 868674 to order

Totnes Grill – Kebab and pizza delivery, call 01803 863835

Café Mumbai – From 5.30pm Tuesday to Sunday call 01803 866171

Room 101 – pizzas for delivery Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm, call 07727 278428

Lamaro Tour and The Curator Totnes - Italian food on Friday and Saturday 5-9pm, call 01803 862288

Taguchi-ya Canteen - Japanese food on Friday and Saturday collect 5-9pm, order online by Wednesday 12pm

Good Food House – Chinese food. Delivery from 6-10pm every day (except Tuesday when closed), call 01803 864696

Back for 2 Seconds – daytime opening in Fore Street

Willow Vegetarian Restaurant - takeaways starting on 3rd June

The Cellar Door - the Sharpham Estate cafe is delivering meals, see The Cellar Door

Pizzaside – Thursday to Sunday 5-8.30pm for collection or delivery.

Roundhouse Cafe Dartington - 11am to 4pm for takeaway drinks, sandwiches, cakes and snacks

FOOD & DRINK

Morrisons - Open as usual with social distancing rules. Offering a delivery service for those self-isolating via Food Delivery Boxes

Sharpham Wine - grab a few bottles at sharpham.com at 10% off with the code sharpham10 on checkout

Roly's Fudge Totnes- buy online https://rolysfudge.co.uk

The Hairy Barista - Home Delivery. Check out their FB page and Instagram

Ben's Farm Shops - Order and Collection service available via their website. Go to the collections form and add your order, they we will call for payment the next day and tell you to collect. https://bensfarmshop.co.uk/self-isolation-collection/

The Kitchen Table - this week's stews are Spanish-inspired fish (from Jacksons Fishmongers) & Ben's Farm Shops chorizo stew with fresh veg, white wine & herbs or Spanish inspired bean & seasonal veg stew. Both dairy, gluten & nut free. Order by midnight on Monday 30th March via https://www.luscombebutchers.co.uk/ or https://apricotcentre.co.uk/boxma…/category/Store%20Cupboard for delivery or call/ text Sima on 07583400998 or email sima@thekitchentable.org.uk to collect from the Totnes Indsutrial Estate kitchen.

Earth.Food.Love - free delivery on orders over £20. Full product & price list on their website. Order via email. Click & collect option for those not in the delivery area. http://thezerowasteshop.co.uk

The Happy Apple - Totnes - open with social distancing rules in place

A W Luscombe Butchers - delivering their products and a range of products from other local businesses including Annies Fruit Shop, New Lion Brewery, The Almond Thief, The Wild Fig Deli and more - check their FB page for more details and list of products in one of the images

Bridgetown Butchers - call 01803 866165/863323 to order where possible to help reduce waiting times in the shop. Minimum order for delivery £25 - free delivery within the Totnes area

McCabes and Halls Butchers are both also operating

Majestic Wine - email for delivery or call if over 70. tot@majestic.co.uk

Annies Fruit Shop - online with delivery to Totnes & the wider area www.anniesoftotnes.co.uk

The Refillery Totnes - daily deliveries to Totnes & Dartmouth areas, visit the website or call Tracy 07950 269955

Dartmouth Dairy - deliver to Totnes & surrounding villages on Monday & Thursday ?? https://www.dartmouthdairy.com

Wine & Greene - delivering nationwide via courier and doing local drops every weekday (free over £20 to TQ9) - www.wineandgreene.com

Bridgetown Stores - open Monday - Friday 2pm - 6pm Saturday & Sunday 11am - 3pm and delivering

Follaton stores - open normal hours 7am-8pm mon to sun with social distancing rules in place

Bulk Buy Groceries - offer a next day delivery service on bulk orders.

Forest Produce - wide selection of groceries delivered to your door. 01884 849274

Caterfood - wide selection of groceries delivered to your door. 01803 664422

Totnes Delivers - useful links to local shops providing a home delivery service.

GIFTS / HOMEWARE

ME AND EAST - check their website or send them a DM. FREE postage with code MEANDEAST https://meandeast.com

China Blue - online shop including paint your own kits https://china-blue-shop.co.uk/…/pr…/paint-your-own-kit-mug-1

A Choice of Gifts from Out of the Blue - buy online www.a-choice-of-gifts.co.uk

Love Frankie - buy online https://www.lovefrankie.com

Little Blue Budgie - buy online https://www.littlebluebudgie.co.uk/ or phone 01803 847800 / message via facebook

Penelopetom - buy online https://www.penelopetom.com/

Pagoda Interiors - free delivery for online orders https://www.pagodainteriors.co.uk/

FASHION

Colony Life Store - online orders via their website with FREE delivery on any order value https://colonyshops.com

Conker Shoes - UK customers get FREE UK delivery for all orders made online including shoes, belts, bags, use code FREESHIP20 https://conkershoes.com

Salago - check out their online shop with this season’s ADINI and the 2020 sandals by Earth Spirit all with BIG DISCOUNTS. https://salago.co.uk

Fifty5a and Fifty5a men's store - offering free p&p and personal Totnes delivery via their telephone ordering - 01803 866681 or DM or email shop@fifty5a.com

SMALL-FOLK - check their online shop & free UK shipping (no end date). Use code POSITIVITY at checkout for the free postage https://small-folk.co.uk

ART

White Space Art - check out their online gallery. Offering 10% discount & free delivery on all artworks in the Easter exhibition (and across the site) while the gallery remains physically closed. Use discount code SPRING20. https://www.whitespaceart.com

Eastgate Gallery in Totnes - contemporary art and craft from local makers including jewellery, textiles, ceramics and much more. Shop online with FREE delivery https://eastgategallerytotnes.com/shop/

SERVICES

Boots the Chemist - home delivery of prescriptions. 01803 862356

Barnes the cleaners - free deliveries & collections daily for Totnes residents

The Potting Shed Totnes and The Potting Bench Totnes - email thepottingshedtotnes@gmail.com with your order, name, address and PHONE NUMBER and they will call you back

Totnes Post Office on Fore Street is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am-12pm.

South Hams Bee Swarms for free help in removing any bees that may be swarming.

Local Authority, Police and NHS Updates

Parking Charges to Resume in SHDC Car Parks from 1st June

Parking charges will apply again in all South Hams District Council car parks from 1st June 2020. Permits are now available to purchase - see the SHDC website for details. South Hams District Council is advising people to use the RingGo payment app where possible to help limit the spread of COVID-19 - for more information see this press release about safe parking in the South Hams.

SHDC Coronavirus Information

Information for residents, business and community support see the latest update, SHDC Coronavirus Information and Advice, an update as of 11th May - Stay Alert and operating businesses safely.

See the following page for the Latest Coronavirus Updates from South Hams District Council

Help for residents who need basic essentials

Community Support - a message from the Leader of South Hams District Council

Business Updates - 26th May including information on the phased re-opening of businesses and updates from 31st March 2020 , 6th April 2020, 17th April and 6th May.

Council Grant Advice to Businesses

THE WELFARE FUND We are very aware of the pressures that households are experiencing where there has been a change in income.

For this reason we have established an emergency Welfare Fund which is designed to ensure that people waiting for their first universal credit payment are not left in hardship.

Due to the lockdown, the administration of this fund prevents us giving out cash. However, if you or someone you know has an urgent need for essential items and is unable to meet the immediate cost please advise them to make an application online or by calling: South Hams - 01803 861297

Examples of payments that may be made would be to top up a gas card or electricity key where no other option is available. The fund is not intended to purchase food where a food parcel would be available.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT HELPLINE South Hams and West Devon Councils are offering a hotline number for residents needing help and support during the Coronavirus outbreak.The Community Support number in South Hams is 01803 861297.

The number, which will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, will be answered by the Community Co-ordination Team at the Council. Outside of these hours an answerphone service will be available.

The team can help people with a wide range of queries, such as where to get additional help and support, as well as putting residents in touch with their nearest community support group.

The hotline is intended for people who can’t access the information and support available through the council’s websites or social media.

Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “We’d urge you to keep this number free for those residents who don’t have a computer or a smartphone, and find it more difficult to access the help we can provide. I’m pleased that we’re able to offer our most vulnerable residents this extra service during this difficult time.”

DCC Coronavirus Information

See the following page for the latest update from Devon County Council.

Statement by the Devon County Council Leader and Chief Executive

A business news update including advice on trading standards.

Learn Devon is changing the way its service is made available to deliver courses on line, with hundreds of free courses. This will include subjects relating to employability, digital skills and wellbeing. The courses went live on their website on the 1^st May.

Devon Libraries for access to digital books, digital magazines and audio books.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust

Patient and Visitor information during the Covid-19 outbreak for Torbay Hospital.

Latest update with information about the Covid-19 testing facility, routine vaccinations, and other news.

Devon and Cornwall Police

Devon and Cornwall Police Covid-19 Advice including Frequently Asked Questions, operational updates and other news

Devon and Cornwall Police Rural Update

Devon Communities Together

Advice and support for local community groups responding to coronavirus is available from Devon Communities Together

They have an emergency helpline (0808 1963390) staffed 9am to 5pm on weekdays for the foreseeable future, or email info@devoncommunities.org.uk and someone will get back to you.

Rural Service Network The Rural Bulletin 1st June and funding news

The LOVE Devon newsletter for May 2020

Update to date bus time tables, including temporary changes

Bob the Bus Service Terminated from 23rd March due to COVID-19

Proof of coronavirus absence from work

People unable to work for more than seven days because of coronavirus (COVID-19) can obtain an isolation note through a new online service. For more information, refer to the link Isolation notes launched.

Isolation notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor; this will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and prevent people needing to leave their homes.

For the first seven days off work, employees can self-certify so they don’t need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where this is related to having symptoms of coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self-isolate.

Help for Energy Customers on Pre-Paid Meters

Customers that are unable to top up their pre-payment meter are advised to contact their supplier immediately to discuss how they can be kept on supply. For further information, see Government measures to help the vulnerable with energy supply

National Advice

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

The Government has announced changes to the Coronavirus conditions as of 11th May to 'Stay Alert'. This means you must:

Stay at home as much as possible
Work from home if you can
Limit contact with other people
Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres (6ft) away from other people not in your household)
Wash your hands regularly
Self isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms

For more details, updates and further announcements, check the links Coronavirus frequently asked questions, Coronavirus: what you need to do and the Coronavirus leaflet.

Coronavirus Latest Update eastdevon.gov.uk/coronavirus covid 19

Answers to the most frequently asked questions by the public for the Covid-19 press conferences guidance/answers to the most common topics asked about by the public for the coronavirus press conference

A reminder of what social distancing is - staying at home and staying away from others

For specific work-related advice, see links on the page COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses

For issues relating to renting, see this guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities

Guidance for social landlords on essential moves

For mental health advice, see the government's guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus

Advice for those working in adult social care for their health and wellbeing

For advice and contacts for support for victims of domestic abuse

Information and advice for the support of the bereaved.

Information for furloughed workers receiving full parental leave entitlement and extension of the furlough scheme.

For advice on the increases to Working Tax Credits

For advice on Council Tax, see the Council Tax Information Letter

The latest advice on the phased return of schools and other educational settings

The government has published guidance on How GCSE's, AS & A-Levels will be awarded in summer 2020

And information for parents and carers on the Closure of Educational Settings

Supporting vulnerable children and young people

Guidance on supporting children and young people's mental health and wellbeing

Financial support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to respond to the coronavirus guidance/financial-support-for-voluntary-community-and-social-enterprise-vcse-organisations-to-respond-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Information on improving light rail services and cycle facilites at railway stations government/publications/improving-light-rail-services-and-cycle-facilities-at-railway-stations-funding

Information for farmer, landowners and rural businesses guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information for farmers landowners and rural businesses

Information on the use of facemasks in a community setting the use of facemasks in a community setting 20 april 2020

Business Help and Advice

The Government has published a useful list of a range of sources of businesses support from non-Government sources

Advice on working safely during coronavirus in various work places

A number of business-related rules have been relaxed to help businesses during the Coronoavirus pandemic. View the list of the rules that have been temporarily relaxed to make it easier for businesses to continue working through the disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19) see relaxation of business rules.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme now up and running

Grant funding - local authority payments to small and medium businesses

Launch of bounce back loans for small businesses up to £50k

Information about the top-uo to local business grant funds scheme

New measures to protect UK High Street from agressive rent collection

Announcement of the postponement of the business rates revaluation planned in 2021

Changes to Loan Schemes - The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has been amended to make it easier for additional smaller businesses to access the funding they need. Key changes are:

Previously, many smaller businesses met the requirements for a non-CBILS commercial loan with less favourable terms, and so would not have been eligible for CBILS. Access to the scheme has now been opened up to include these smaller businesses too.

Lenders can no longer ask borrowers to put a personal guarantee (such as savings, their house or other assets) for the CBILS, lenders can only apply this to loans above £250,000 or to their own (non-CBILS) commercial loans.

The minimum amount you can borrow will differ between lenders, the lowest of the four major banks is RBS starting at £5,000. Interest rates will vary by lender so make sure you shop around, the Government will pay the first 12 months of interest payments and any lender-levied charges. Further details are available through the British Business Bank. Businesses are advised to get in contact with a lender directly if they wish to apply, preferably online.

Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership - latest update

Can your business help with the response to Coronavirus? The support needed includes things like:

medical testing equipment
medical equipment design
protective equipment for healthcare workers, such as masks, gowns and sanitiser
hotel rooms
transport and logistics, for moving goods or people
manufacturing equipment
warehouse or office space, for medical use or storage
expertise or support on IT, manufacturing, construction, project management, procurement or engineering
social care or childcare

Coronavirus support from business

Expansion of the Government's loan scheme for large businesses

Latest update and advice from Visit Britain and Visit England for those with businesses and working in tourism.