East Devon District Council Coronavirus Community Support Hub Hotline now open to offer you help
If you, or a group you know, needs help or you would like to volunteer, call us now on 01395 571500
The East Devon District Council Coronavirus Community Support Hub Hotline is now open to help local residents, communities and organisations access information and support, or volunteer their time and resources to help their local community.
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From today, Monday 30 March, you can call the District Council's Coronavirus Community Support Hub Hotline on 01395 571500
- The line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Please note if you are unwell you should contact NHS 111 or if you are seeking general advice about coronavirus symptoms visit www.111.nhs.uk if you can.
 Do you need help or do you want to help?
For individuals who need support, or you are calling on behalf of someone you care for, family member, friend or neighbour you can:
For groups who need support you can:
For those who want to volunteer to help in your local community or you are offering support on behalf of a community group, charity or organisation you can:
- Call our hotline on 01395 571500 or
- Email your details to the district council's Coronavirus Community Support Hub team at COVID.Community@eastdevon.gov.uk
- Please tell us briefly what support you are offering/what you can help with, eg: shopping/delivery, caring for older/vulnerable people, checking in/staying in touch with people by phone, general volunteering,
- What particular groups/people you want to support,
- Which area/parish/village would you be happy to support people in,
- When are you able to offer support, eg: regular daytimes, regular evenings, occasional days, weekdays, weekends,
- Do you have an up to date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check? This is a record of a person's criminal convictions and cautions. To be valid it must have been issued within the last three years.
For advice on your own wellbeing as a volunteer, please see volunteering top tips and how to help safely.
Mark Williams, the Chief Executive of East Devon District Council and Councillor Ben Ingham, the council's leader, said: "We are committed to doing whatever is needed to help people directly and to support our communities. Government has asked us to undertake specific roles in terms of supporting the local economy and our most vulnerable people.
"To help support this work we have created the East Devon District Council Coronavirus Community Support Hub to coordinate volunteer efforts, providing support for the shielded category people. The council will be the administrative unit delivering these hubs with a focus on providing access to food, medicines and other supplies in the first instance.
"Our officers are already in contact with many groups and are working to expand this network. We will work with town and parish councils, voluntary and community groups, other local leaders and local businesses to help us build this response."
Together #WeAreDevon
Do you want to be a volunteer?
There’s lots of ways you can help at this time and we have a wealth of information on our website giving advice and support.
For example, find contact details for the main organisations leading the response in our towns and parishes. Find out about how to help safely and read our Volunteering top tips.
Five fast ways to help support people:
Think of others, consider your actions and be kind
Connect and reach out to your neighbours
Make the most of local online groups
Support vulnerable or isolated people
Share accurate information and advice
Useful links:
Safeguarding and data protection
These are understandably areas of concern for many community volunteers and voluntary groups. The Government has issued guidance on safeguarding and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has written a blog about data protection
Community grants
There are a number of grants available for East Devon communities that will provide support during the Coronavirus outbreak. Read more
Cooking for neighbours from home
Offering to cook a meal for a neighbour or friend during this difficult time is a very friendly thing to do. Follow our guide on how to do this safely during the Coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Trusted sources of advice and information
Please make sure that you only follow advice from trusted, official sources:
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