In order to provide information to the people of Ottery St Mary, we have created this community lifeline to find sources of help in the area.

Sidmouth Herald: East Devon District Council has set up a Coronavirus Community Support Hub Hotline. Picture: Dan WIlkinsEast Devon District Council has set up a Coronavirus Community Support Hub Hotline. Picture: Dan WIlkins (Image: Archant)

Local Volunteer Networks

The Food Bank at the United Reformed Church Hall in Ottery St Mary is still operational. Food parcels are available on a referral basis, and can be collected, adhering to social distancing measures, on Fridays between 1.30pm to 2.30pm. For updates see https://otteryurc.wordpress.com/food-bank/

The Ottery Community Volunteer group has been formed to coordinate help and assistance for vulnerable and elderly members of the community. For help call 01404 600013 or email help@ottery.online

The East Devon District Council Coronavirus Community Support Hub Hotline is there to help local residents and organisations access information to support the local community. Call 01395 571500. The line is manned from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Those in quarantine in West Hill can receive their prescriptions from Boots and the Well Pharmacy, via a voluntary delivery service. Call 01404 232100.

West Hill residents who wish to volunteer or request help should contact Anne Oliver, the parish clerk on 01404 232100 or via email clerk@westhillparishcouncil.gov.uk

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Pubs/Restaurants

The Volunteer Inn in Ottery St Mary is serving up pub favourite suppers, ready for collection or delivery. Food is available every day between the hours of 4pm and 8pm. To place an order call 01404 814060.

Pizza Amore in Ottery is open from Monday to Saturday, from 5pm to 10pm. The pizzas can be collected from the shop, or alternatively, local residents may wish to use the free home delivery service. To place an order call 01404 815850.

Samosa Lady is providing a takeaway service of its Indian food on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to noon from Fillfull in Mill Street in Ottery St Mary. After 1pm, on both days, it runs a delivery service to households in Ottery, West Hill, Tipton St John, Sidmouth, Sidford and Sidbury. The food is freshly prepared and chilled ready for customers to reheat at home. To place an order, call 07879 995273 or email samosaladyottery@hotmail.co.uk

The Clock Tower Café in Sidmouth is offering free delivery (on orders over £20) of its home-cooked meals to households in the Ottery St Mary area. The cafe requires prior notice for deliveries. The meals are made with fresh, ethically sourced local ingredients, and allergies and intolerances are catered for. For the menu, order form and payment arrangements see www.clocktowersidmouth.com or call 01395 515319.

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Schools

Pupils are currently on holiday for the Easter break. For those wanting to keep up with their learning, home schooling details can be found on the separate websites for Ottery St Mary Primary School – www.otteryprimary.co.uk – which states that daily reading and taking care of the children’s mental wellbeing should be prioritised. There is a similar message on the West Hill Primary School website – www.west-hill-primary.devon.sch.uk. There are several student support links and home schooling details found on The King’s School website www.thekings.devon.sch.uk/

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Transport Links

Stagecoach buses are still running on reduced, temporary timetables. Concessionary passes can be used before 9.30am, to allow the elderly and vulnerable to take advantage of the supermarkets’ exclusive shopping times. See www.stagecoachbus.com

South Western Railway has reduced its number of services. For an updated timetable visit www.southwesternrailway.com

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Churches

All public acts of worship at all churches have been suspended until further notice.

Ottery St Mary Parish Church has a link to recorded sermons which can be accessed via www.otterystmary.org.uk/recorded-sermons. There is also a prayer diary and special prayer section.

Ottery St Mary URC Church also streams sermons that are accessible via its website https://otteryurc.wordpress.com/.

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Online Support

For support from the Coleridge Medical Centre visit www.coleridgemedicalcentre.co.uk where there is an E-Consult service, to access self-help information and advice from a doctor. For the latest updates see https://coleridgegp.blogspot.com/

For updates on the services available in West Hill visit www.westhillparishcouncil.gov.uk

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Local People’s Quotes

East Devon District Council leader, Cllr Ben Ingham said: “We are committed to doing whatever is needed to help people directly and to support our communities. We have created the Coronavirus Community Support Hub to coordinate volunteer efforts, providing support for the shielded category people and importantly signposting people to practical help.”

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Local Shops

K&M Butchers in Broad Street sells a variety of meat boxes, barbecue boxes, and individual items, for collection or delivery. The shop is open for collecting orders only from Tuesdays to Saturdays, and offers free delivery to the vulnerable and those in self isolation on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Call 01404 812724.

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Joshua’s Harvest offers a variety of healthy ready meals, pies, pasties and quiches, plus cakes and sweet treats in its Ottery St Mary based kitchen. There is a delivery option, costing £5 for a £40 minimum spend. Call 01404 815473.

Coldharbour Farm Shop in East Hill, Ottery St Mary, sells a range of store cupboard groceries such as fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, milk and eggs. It also has a range of frozen ready meals made with locally sourced ingredients and cooked in the farm shop. Free delivery is available on orders over £40 and within a five-mile radius of the shop. Visit www.coldharbourfarmshop.co.uk/food or call 01404 814220.

The self-service cabin at the Little Gosford Farm Shop, in Taleford, near Ottery St Mary, is still open and selling fresh vegetables, stonebaked bread, fresh meat, milk and other essentials. To find out about opening times during the Easter period call 01404 815352.

FillFull in Ottery has an abundance of dried food products such as pasta, rice, lentils, pulses, dried fruit and household cleaning products.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, the shop will be open for collections from 10am to noon and will be making deliveries in the afternoons on the same days. To place an order, visit www.fillfull.co.uk

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Essential Contacts

NHS: 111

Ottery St Mary Town Council: 01404 812252; email: enquiries@otterystmary-tc.gov.uk; www.otterystmary-tc.gov.uk

Ottery St Mary Food Bank: https://otteryurc.wordpress.com/food-bank/

Ottery Help Scheme: 01404 813041

Ottery Community Volunteers: 01404 600013

For updates on the services available in West Hill visit

www.westhillparishcouncil.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau: 03444 111 444