Wiltshire Council have added some general answers to frequently asked questions around social distancing, shops, businesses, transport and more on their website here.
They released a COVID-19 Business Recovery Pack designed to support businesses across the county as they re-open which contains a round-up of government guidance to keep staff & customers safe. They have separate checklists for Hairdressers & Barbers and for the Hospitality industry. Wiltshire Council have also recently released some new information and FAQs for ‘Pavement licenses’ – for enabling street cafes (tables and chairs) outside premises, on paved or pedestrianised areas that are public highway for the summer. You can read about that here.
Wiltshire Council’s new Covid-19 Healthy Lifestyle guide for older people is aimed at older people during COVID-19 whilst social distancing measures are in place and more time is being spent in their own homes. The guide can help with healthy eating, as well as the importance of hydration and physical exercise, and how this will all contribute to preventing the risk of falls during this time of social distancing, and also in the future.
Wiltshire Council still have a designated Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub specifically for anyone self-isolating due to coronavirus in need of help who doesn’t have family, friends or neighbours able to support them. They can help with delivery of food and other essentials but also with loneliness and wellbeing. People can get in touch with the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub by calling – 0300 003 4576 from Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. You can also email them.
Please note the hub was previously open over the weekend. However, to reflect a reduction in emails and calls to its hotline, the hub closed at weekends from Saturday 27th June. Outside of the opening hours, the emergency duty service will be in place as usual.
Emergency food parcels are also still being delivered by Wiltshire Council to last people for three days while more sustainable solutions are found, such as a delivery by the voluntary sector. The council is charging for these parcels where appropriate. They are still providing food parcels without charge for those that can show they are unable to afford them. The charges are £20 to cover at least three days worth of food for one person, either meat or vegetarian, and up to £25 if the household has specialist dietary requirements such as gluten free. All funds received for payment of these food parcels cover the cost of the food only, and no profit is being made from the charging for food parcels.
Wiltshire Council Customer Service Team continues to support the local community on all other matters through their customer services number 0300 456 0100 (lines open 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday). You can also email the Chippenham – Monkton Park hub.
Ollie Phipps is the Chippenham Community Engagement Manager for Wiltshire Council. He shares regularly updates and news blogs on this webpage. You can get in touch with Ollie by emailing him Ollie.phipps@wiltshire.gov.uk
or by calling 01249 709404. You can also follow Ollie on Twitter
Key Wiltshire Council Covid-19 information & resources links
- Wiltshire Council COVID-19 updates
- Covid-19 Volunteer Pack
- Link to Covid-19 Community Pack
- Covid-19 Community Groups Directory is a comprehensive list of all of the local community groups and organisations offering support. The Community Groups Map shows the general location of the community groups featured in the directory and you can use the search box towards the top left of the page to find a particular location. To find out what services each group are offering, the area they cover and contact details, just click on a red star. Some groups cover a wide area so it is worth checking neighbouring locations as well.
- Wiltshire Council FAQs on school, home learning and other points
- Wiltshire Library – Anyone with a library card can access their e-audiobooks, ebooks. and e-magazines for free.
- Stanton St Wick recycling reopened last month but you need to book to use any of the Wiltshire recycling centres. More information here.
