Coronavirus Support in Exeter, Devon and the SW

We are contacting local councils so you don’t have to. We have asked local councils about the additional resources in place to provide coronavirus support across Exeter, Devon and the wider region, in areas such as housing, homelessness, support with groceries and support for the elderly/vulnerable. We will continue to update this post with information we receive about coronavirus support in Exeter and elsewhere.

Last updated: 22/04/2020

Support Available by Council Area

Local councils, other public bodies and local community groups are providing a range of services and support for those who need it during the coronavirus outbreak, in Exeter and across Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.

Devon

• The Devon Domestic Abuse helpline continues to support victims of domestic abuse in the area and can be contacted on 0345 1551074
• Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE) has been given a £3,000 grant to support the victims of domestic abuse.
• Live Chat is a web-based support service that will be available to victims of crime in Devon and Cornwall 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is anonymous, confidential and free to use. To access it please visit victimsupport.org.uk or visit the Victim Care website – www.victimcaredevonandcornwall.org.uk. Victim Support will still offer telephone support on 0808 031 8178.
• In a non-emergency, the public can also report a crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 101 webchat or on the online crime reporting form – both on the force website – www.devon-cornwall.police.uk. There’s also a useful AskNed system that provides online advice on a range of issues and by signing up to Neighbourhood Alert regular updates and information can be received from the OPCC.

Exeter

• For the latest updates from Exeter City Council, please click here; https://exeter.gov.uk/clean-safe-city/community-safety/coronavirus
• Homeless people living on the streets have been offered hotel accommodation and are also being provided with food.
• A Community Larder has been set up and is operating from St Thomas Methodist Church. More information can be found here.
• The Exeter City Wellbeing hotline will pass public requests for coronavirus support and assistance onto relevant statutory or volunteer organisations. To use this service or for more information, click here.
• Exeter Community Wellbeing are also working with Exeter City Community Trust to help isolated people who need their food or prescriptions collecting. To use this service or for more information, click here.
• Age UK, St Thomas library, Friends of Ide Lane and St Thomas and Foxhayes surgeries are offering telephone befriending services to the elderly.
• St Thomas and Foxhayes surgeries are also providing delivery services for pharmacy deliveries for the over 70s.
• Customers are encouraged to contact the Council online here, by email to housing.advice@exeter.gov.uk or by telephone 01392 265726 for advice on homelessness or housing issues. Emergency housing advice does remain open at the Customer Service Centre
• Exeter Food Fight are also delivering meals to people in need https://www.facebook.com/groups/202718080200061/

South Hams

• Anyone at risk of being homeless tonight should call the team on 01803 861234. Outside of office hours, you can call 01803 867034 as offers of accommodation are being made for anyone currently rough sleeping or at risk of. 
• Local coronavirus support service details can be found here.
• The council continue making referrals to a strong network of food banks and volunteer groups to support with groceries and prescription collections.
• The council offer a vulnerable customer hotline where staff will coordinate and liaise between customers and volunteer groups to ensure they have the support they need and the appropriate referrals are made. The number for the hotline is 01803 861297.

West Devon

• The council continues to make offers of accommodation for anyone currently rough sleeping or at risk of.  The accommodation is range of B&B’s, self contained holiday lets and temporary housing.
• The council are making referrals to a strong network of food banks and volunteer groups to support with groceries and prescription collections. Staff will coordinate and liaise between customers and volunteer groups to ensure they have the support they need and the appropriate referrals are made. This number is 01822 813683.

Plymouth

1st Stop Shop services are currently only available online and by phone. Please visit Homeless or at risk web pages. or call us on 01752 668000 for assistance and information.

West Somerset & Taunton

• All Rough Sleepers in the District area have had an offer of accommodation, with the majority taking up this offer.
• The council and its partners are identifying the most suitable accommodation through a robust process of risk assessment.
• The council is working closely with most support services including Turning Point (Drug and Alcohol Service support); primary care (to encourage GP registration), mental health services, the Police and Fire Service and the Ambulance trust.
• The council’s website provides advice to those experiencing domestic abuse to contact the Somerset Domestic Abuse Support helpline: 0800 694 9999  or email Somerset Integrated Domestic Abuse Service General Enquiries: heretohelp@livewest.co.uk 
• Somerset Coronavirus Advice line supported by the council to respond to community needs when they arise can can be contacted on 0300 790 6275.
• 3 meals a day provided to vulnerable clients housed by the council to allow them to safely self- isolate. This is being provided by a combined community effort and includes assistance from the YMCA, The Open Door Centre and The Salvation Army. 
• Vulnerable tenants are being routinely called to check on their well-being and additional support is provided such as referrals and food packs if needed. In the coming days, this calling process will start to move across to the non-tenants in the community who are more vulnerable and do not have an existing relationship or contact with another agency such as adult social care.

Cornwall

• Cornwall Housing Options Team for housing advice and assistance.  Tel:0300 1234 161 Open: 9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday. There is an Out of Hours Service available
• Addaction’s ‘Street outreach response team’, Helpline for advice and information. You can use the number below to contact the Outreach team for enquiries, support, or to report somebody that you believe to be rough sleeping:  Tel: 07870 364989 

Exeter Voluntary Organisations

These local organisations and community groups are providing coronavirus support in Exeter. If you know of a group that is not on here please email sdpavey@gmail.com or mountpleasantcb@gmail.com to get it added to the list.

Domestic Violence Support Organisations