Fantastic Thanet businesses, groups and residents are pulling together to make sure help is available to those in need during the coronavirus spread.
Offers of shopping deliveries, dog walking, mutual support and more have been springing up over the past week.
We are trying to pull them into one list so you can find the help information that you need. If you have a group/service/shop offering help in any way that you would like to add to the list email [email protected] or message us on facebook.
FSB small business advice (finances)
Little Ships Ramsgate
Takeaway coffee, tea, brunch, lunch, dinner and pantry staples – all ready for you to grab and go via our brand new takeaway hatch! We’re here for you in a very safe, very sensible two-metres-apart kind of way!
Margate Mantra Lounge
This Sunday (22nd March) we will be serving delicious, nutritious and COMPLETELY FREE meals to the local community outside 101 Social on Northdown Road from midday until 2pm.
KIDS MEALS:
In light of the recent school closures we’ll be preparing special kids meals too, so if you know anyone who may want – or need – to pop by, please send them our way.
SAFETY:
In order to meet current social distancing guidelines, and to protect our servers and those who we serve, the meals will be strictly takeaway only; 101 Social will be open only for those wishing to make use of the handwashing facilities.
DELIVERY:
During this time (12pm-2pm on Sunday) we will also be operating a free, no-contact delivery service for those who are self-isolating. Please contact Mantra via text message or Whatsapp to arrange delivery. The number to use for this is: 07800743829
FREE WORKSHOPS:
The usual free guided meditation & discussion will still take place from 2pm, but instead of a face-to-face event it will be broadcast live via this Facebook page. Please join in! Looking after our mental & spiritual health is every bit as important as looking after our physical health, especially in times like these.
You can also join in via Skype by clicking this link: https://join.skype.com/pyreQl3yQkwd
Gadds Food and Drink
Gadd’s food and drink making deliveries.
They will be limiting products in order to meet demand.
The Modern Boulangerie, Ramsgate
Plans are being drawn up for home delivery for the bakery’s self isolators, elderly and infirm customers.
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The product range will be getting a revision with more focus on cheap sweet treats and prioritising bread. There will be other bits but of limited stock.
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Owner George Bellamy-Adams said: “The team and I have been throwing ideas around for products to stock in the shop while the supermarkets go into meltdown, so if there’s anything you can’t acquire let us know and we’ll see what we can do for you!
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“We are also going to bring our five day week into effect earlier than initially promised, although we will only have limited numbers, please bear with us while we sort out rotas and timings. Our plan is that you will have access to fresh bread 5 days a week.
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“Our shop is very tiny. We ask that our customers respect the next 2 pieces of info:
-we are limiting the number of people in the shop to 2 at a time.
-we ask that you, where you can, pay contactless.
Also please keep your fellow customers in mind when buying in the shop. We will be there 5 days a week. There is no need to bulk buy.
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“The team and I will be here as long as possible. And hopefully until the crisis passes. Stay safe out there everyone and support each other.”
One free loaf also offered to all blue light workers, ID needed.
The Laughing Barrel, Palm Bay
The Laughing Barrel micropub in Palm Bay is offering takeouts.
To collect site is open from 12pm -1pm Tuesday – Saturday and 7pm – 8pm. Sunday 12pm -1pm.
2 pint takeout special offer on Ale and Cider £6.
2 pint takeout special offer on key keg £7. When it’s gone, it’s gone!
The Two Halves Margate
A window will be open for takeaways. We will be selling wine, cider and beer. Trying to do our bit for the environment you can bring your own screw top containers for the cider and beer if you wish, if you haven’t got any, we have 2 pint take away cartons available.
We will try to minimise contact by using contactless payment, but understand that this is not possible for everyone. We will then give you a wave and you can be on your way.
The Four Candles Broadstairs
We’re offering free home deliveries in the Broadstairs area. Get in touch by lunchtime (by Facebook, WhatsApp or by calling us on 07947 062063) and we’ll fill containers with the beers of your choice and bring them to you in the early evening.
We can take payments by card on the phone (probably best not to mess around with cash) and can leave them at your door if you’re hunkered down inside.
Today’s offerings…..
CHALLENGER BITTER (4.2% ABV): Traditional bitter, great Kentish hos
AMERICAN SESSION PALE (3.8%): Lots of Citra, Chinook and Comet
And our guest ale
RAILWAY PORTER (4.3%): “Classic London Porter” from, er, the Brunswick Brewery in Derby.
Four Pints – £12 (free delivery).
20 litre (36 pints) polypins available too. Keep it cool and it should last 5 days.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFourCandles/
Neptunes Hall Broadstairs
Cooking pizza and serving 2 pint take out cartons EVERY DAY of the lockdown. We are fully antibac’d up and ready to deliver to your door across Broadstairs and Margate initially, hoping to stretch all over Thanet.
Contact us by DM here or on Instagram and we’ll send you a menu. Orders taken from 3pm every day and available for collection from 4-8pm, or delivered from 4-8:30pm.
Or call the pub on 01843 602234… We could do with a chat tbh
ALSO PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU FANCY A ROAST NEXT SUNDAY… WE’LL BRING IT TO YOU!!
United Cars Taxis Thanet
As your local, reliable taxi service, we are committed to supporting the vulnerable especially the elderly who are in isolation at this time. We will be providing a pickup service for basic essential shopping items from the local supermarket, and any medication required.
We will be offering this service until further notice or until the government can confirm the situation has improved.
We hope this will help our community in a difficult time and would appreciate anyone who can share this post in order to promote awareness in the Thanet area.
Please call us on 01843 581581
The Bay Tree Hotel, Broadstairs
The Bay Tree can arrange for take outs of food and delivery within Thanet and are also happy to offer assistance to older and more vulnerable neighbours (such as assisting with shopping or just saying hello and listening).
https://www.facebook.com/thebaytreehotelbroadstairs/
ModernProvider, The Centre, Margate
In Margate the Modernprovider bakery is offering home bake bread kits for those who need to self isolate. Owner Ben Wykes says the kit contains what is needed to make a few loaves and tins can be loaned. A delivery service is also being offered. Find Modernprovider in The Centre Margate or on facebook here
Education
Two Thanet teachers dedicating 100% of our time to producing free content for parents at home, primarily with resources for studying the Kent Test (11+) alongside general school resources
www.facebook.com/topdogtutors
www.topdogtuition.com
Find also entertainment on the Hornby’s kids’ zone here
During these difficult times it’s important that you look after your mental health. There are a wide range of support services available across Thanet, catering for your individual needs. Many of these services can be found at www.thanetsupport.co.uk/
North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale
Volunteers needed- Sir Roger Gale’s office is endeavouring to establish a register of voluntary groups that are able to offer assistance to self-isolating and house-bound constituents in North Thanet during the Coronavirus pandemic. Please contact his Parliamentary assistant, Cllr George Kup on [email protected] with your full details and the area you can cover.
Facebook help groups
Help groups offering aid to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak include Thanet Coronavirus Assistance and Kent Covid-19 Mutual Aid aim to collate information and to offer help with shopping/deliveries and other assistance.
Thanet Coronavirus Assistance also has a webpage with links to assorted localised groups here
Help is also being offered via pinned posts in facebook groups such as Broadstairs and New Thanet Chat and flyers have been printed off to deliver to those who may need help but do not use the internet.
There is also mutual business support on Coronavrus support for businesses in the Thanet area here
For cancellations and closures go to group Cancelled postponed events business n school closures etc here
Resident Liv Miller has created the help sheet below to be shared around so that people in need get the help they deserve.
For a higher res version to print off send us an email at [email protected]
Steve Migan is the community engagement coordinator for Changing Minds Kent and staff at “The Lodge” social inclusion centre in Westgate-on-sea that provides activities and skills development opportunities for individuals in Thanet who are seeking to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
The Lodge closed this week but Steve is now looking to help vulnerable individuals feeling isolated and alone, with a lot not able to access basic food and toiletry provisions due to having to self-isolation.
He is transforming the lodge into a dual use facility that aims to support those currently affected by the corona virus.
He will be actively seeking donations of food, toiletries, clothing and entertainment items to create care packages for isolated members of the community and will be running a delivery service to those in need.
He is also seeking to open a phone line for those who would simply like to chat to someone for a while to tackle loneliness and social isolation
A gofundme has been set up to help pay for the project here https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-lifeboat-project-corona-viru…
A call to action is being made under #IsupportThanet. The idea is to bring people and businesses together (figuratively) under one hashtag so people can ask for help and crowdsource that help.
Those offering help in Acol are: Karen Ault 07955096467 text or leave a voice message or email [email protected]
Jon & Chenice Butterworth (e.g. food shopping, making a meal, collecting a prescription etc) on 845317.
Emily Matthews.
Richard Steel on 845363, or via Messenger.
Ann Story
Mark Tyman
We hope you are all staying well during these strange, worrying times. For those local to us, there is a website set up at https://t.co/1bGo5VuRZD with listings for online wellbeing classes / restaurant & grocery delivery, and details if you need help or can volunteer #thanet pic.twitter.com/wEMBnIfxkL
— Margate Film Festival (@MargateFilmFest) March 21, 2020
A little outside the Thanet boundary in Ash resident Debbie Carthew is encouraging neighbours to create Spring windows to help cheer people through these strange times.
Ramsgate’s Lewis Pindar, 29, has bought toilet rolls, pasta and washing up liquid and is asking for help to get supplies such as water, tinned and dry food, hygiene products, pet food and antibacterial wipes or spray so he can distribute them to older residents.
To donate items or let Lewis know about someone in need email him on [email protected]
Councillor Steve Albon (Eastcliff Ward)
Phone: 07790669961
Email: [email protected]
Our Kitchen on the Isle of Thanet
Using the Summer Kitchen model based on love, generosity and complete trust .itchen boss Sharon Goodyer is now providing free food and meal kits,
She said: “Please pay us something if you can. We will include our bank details with your food so you can transfer a donation if you can, now or in the future. We have no wages and no rent to pay so all the money we receive goes straight into the food.
“We will do this for as long as we can. We will put a table outside 200 Margate Road Ramsgate CT12 6AQ from 10am – 2pm every day and we will put out food and a range of meal kits. We will also be making home made soups and home made cake each day. Each day we will issue our menu which will tell you what we have and how many we have available.”
Charlotte Peters is offering online piano lessons. She said: “Having lost all my income, I’m teaching piano lessons, from beginners to grade 3 standard and drama lessons, both for children and adults, online. For more info &and to arrange, please email [email protected].
Shops
J Prentis Westgate grocers is also offering ‘contactless delivery’. You can call, text or email they will put your order together and deliver it free of charge. Call 01843 834934
Salvatori are extending delivery to Thanet from Whitstable and can provide personal orders for homes, that include fresh and frozen meat, frozen vegetables and other essential food items.
To help with accessibility, orders can be placed over the phone or online and delivered free to your door. (https://www.salvatoributchersboy.co.uk/ call 01227 263 888). There is no minimum order.
Ramsgate Asda is recruiting temporary positions. Go to the shop and leave your details at customer services.
Salt of the Earth in Broadstairs has grains/pasta/refillable washing up liquid/laundry liquid etc. Just take your own container to take it away.
Farleys Furniture staff are offering to collect shopping or other essentials as part of the delivery drivers normal working days. For more information look at the facebook page.
Best One Westgate are offering free home delivery services for supplies such as food etc. 01843 831664
Krusty Kobb bakeries are offering free home delivery for food to peoples home who are self isolating and are unable to get out. 01843 835447
Posillipos restaurant Broadstairs are offering to do shopping and deliver it to the home for self isolated people. 01843 601133
The Kitchen CT9 in Cliftonville will deliver any surplus stock they have to peoples homes who are self isolating. 01843 293376
Sainsburys Westwood will donate all surplus stock to groups such as The Kitchen CT9, Age UK, Salvation Army Ramsgate and The Gap at Queens Road Baptist Church.
Shops making deliveries are:
Quex Barn, Quex Park, Birchington, 01843 846103
R. C. Wale & Son 62 Station Road, Birchington, 01843 843926
Best One, 56 St. Mildreds Rd, Westgate-on-Sea, 01843 831664
Edwards Supermarket,51 Station Road, Westgate, 01843 833238
Montys, 109 Station Rd, Birchington 01843 845900
A2B Cars are offering elderly / vulnerable persons to do their shopping (collect your shopping list, do the shop and
return to you – free of charge) 01843 263263
Rogers & Hambrige, able to refer to their list of contractors for plumbing , heating issues etc. 01843 831268
Simply Floral florist at 380 Northdown road Margate (off Holly Lane) is taking orders and payments over the phone and offering contactless deliveries.
As Mother’s Day is on Sunday the store will be offering contactless deliveries for both Saturday and Sunday
Www.simplyfloral.co.uk
Contact number – 01843 220674
Prentis greengrocers Ramsgate will carry out home deliveries from Monday (March 23). Orders can be left on the answer phone or by email. All orders to be in by 8pm with a minimum £10 spend for free next day delivery. Orders can be paid for cash on delivery or by card over the phone prior to delivery.
Phone 01843853704
Email [email protected]
Please leave your name and contact number along with address and we will get back to you as soon as possible . Please be assured of our commitment to you in both service and quality of produce.
Shoreline partners -The Eclectic Art Gallery, Margate Old Town, and Westgate Galleria, works with over 70 artists, makers and creatives to provide exhibition space, retail outlets, workshop space and training and support.
Westgate Town Council
With its high proportion of elderly residents, Westgate on Sea is urgently setting up support measures for those who have to go into self-isolation, because they have contracted the disease or are (like the elderly) at risk. The Town Council has therefore been busy contacting the local shops to see what support they can give.
The council plans to put together a list of shop contacts and a short description of what they have offered.
Many residents depend on events such as coffee mornings and craft groups for social interaction, and so self-isolation brings not only an increased risk of loneliness but even a threat to mental health.
Contacts will therefore be available for ‘friendly phone calls’, just so people can chat over the phone.
There are lots of offers to help from the many community organisations who are busy providing volunteers. A COBRA-style co- ordination group Wobra meets frequently to exchange information.
Contact with the town’s surgery is important in ensuring an appropriate response to the challenge of the epidemic. The surgery is operating normally, although it is asking for consultations to be by phone whenever possible.
The Lifeboat Project has been set up by Changing Minds Kent CIC to support those affected by, and currently living in, isolation because of the Coronavirus, and the Town Council is pleased to work collaboratively to help with this. This is a new community support project aimed at providing support to those who are facing isolation in the local community.
There are a growing number of volunteers who the Town Council will be co-ordinating and providing services such as picking up shopping, posting mail and collecting prescriptions for those who are in isolation because of coronavirus.
Call the town council on 01843 836182
Caremark Thanet
Caremark Thanet has vacancies for care staff on a permanent or temporary basis.
The care company said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting an unprecedented challenge for our community. Now, more than ever in the living memories of most of us, it is paramount to conduct our lives and be guided by the central belief that we are one community.
“Within our community are a number of frail and vulnerable people. Caremark Thanet provides care to many of these people. This care will continue. There will be more people requiring care in the coming weeks. We will provide care to many of these people. This care will continue. It is inevitable, however, that our resources will be stretched.
“We have a large, loyal and resilient work force. We know they will respond magnificently to the challenges ahead. We will support them as they will support us. But we will need some help. And this is where you come in. We are calling on all of you who have some time to give to come and join us; to help us; to help our community through these challenging times.
“At the moment the news is not good. But good news will come. The work we do in our community will help bring forward the day when good news arrives. And arrive it will. We know that there are so many people in Thanet who want to make a difference to our community at this time of challenge. We can offer you the opportunity to do just that: to play a role of fundamental importance in shaping the future of our community: we are one community.”
Please contact Jemma Clayton on 01843 235910 or email [email protected].
Want to be outside?
The Isle of Thanet Trees and Woods Initiative is continuing with its tree planting programme and invites those who are well and happy to be outside to volunteer.
Planting takes place every day this week at Thanet Community Forest School, the entrance is through the top gate of Dane Valley Allotments on St Peter’s footpath. The final planting on Saturday will be at the Sunken Gardens, Royal Esplanade, Westbrook. The aim is to plant 35 trees a day to complete the programme.
Hand sanitiser
If anybody needs an urgent supply of hand sanitiser gels Sandwich-based, washroom hygiene and hygiene related products supplier Westo Hygine Solutions can help with discounted prices.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 07712 262634
Business rate relief
Government sets out £330 billion coronavirus business support package
Benefit assessments
Face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits will be suspended for the next three months, the government announced today (March 17).
The temporary move, effective now, is being taken as a precautionary measure to protect vulnerable people from unnecessary risk of exposure to coronavirus as the country’s response ramps up in the ‘delay’ phase. We will ensure those who are entitled to a benefit continue to receive support, and that new claimants are able to access the safety net.
It affects claimants of Personal Independence Payment, those on Employment and Support Allowance and some on Universal Credit, and recipients of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
The suspension of face-to-face assessments also covers new claims to those benefits.
Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “As we move into the next phase of our response to coronavirus, it is right we take steps to protect those with health problems.
“Temporarily suspending face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits will allow us to ensure we continue to provide a safety net for those in need, while removing unnecessary risk of exposure to this disease.”
Anyone who has a face-to-face assessment appointment scheduled from today onwards does not need to attend and will be contacted to discuss next steps and alternative arrangements, which could involve either telephone or paper-based assessments. It is expected this measure will be in effect for the next three months but will be regularly reviewed in line with Public Health advice.
No further action is required by any claimant as a result of this change. They will be contacted with advice on next steps.
Suspending face-to-face health assessments is a precautionary measure which reflects the Prime Minister’s decision to trigger the ‘delay’ phase.
Bus passes
Older and disabled people will be able to use their bus passes before 9.30am, Kent County Council has announced.
The passes will be able to be used on services provided by Stagecoach, Arriva, Go Coach and Nu-Venture.
Holders of a senior citizen and disabled bus pass were previously able to travel for free on buses after 9.30am, but following discussions with these operators, this condition has been removed.
Connect Well East Kent
Hub team are operational as normal and telephone services are still active.
Open Mon, Weds and Fri 8:30am – 6pm nd Tues and Thurs 9am – 5pm
0300 302 0178
Carers Support East Kent
The hub team are operational as normal and still offering emotional support.
Open Mon, Weds and Fri 8:30am – 6pm and Tues and Thurs 9am – 5pm
0300 302 0178
Silverline Telephone Befriending Service
24 Hour befriending service.
Free, confidential service to share worries and fears. A good sign posting service. he Silver Line is a helpline and friendship service for people aged 55 and over.
0800 470 80 90
Age UK Thanet
Day Services are operational as per government guidance.
Hot meal delivery available for £7.00
01843 223881
Ageless Thanet
Offering a free Telephone Befriending Service for people over the age of 50 between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
You can contact them via phone phone, email or on social media (Facebook and Twitter)
Ageless Thanet will issuing a guide on how to use facetime to stay connected with friends and family during the COVID – 19. You can find this on all social media platforms
01843 21005 and email [email protected]
Cliftonville Community Centre
Open as usual Mon, Tues, Weds and Fri
Elaine or Paul 01843 221913
St Pauls Food Bank (Margate)
Open as usual – Thursday mornings 10:30am – 12:30pm
01843 221913
Thanet Community Transport Association
Offering a personal shopping service and wiling to help anyone who is self isolating and who cannot get out and about.
01843 602030
Westgate Town Council
The town council are offering a service of volunteers to visit homes within the town to help isolated people to do shopping, walk the dogs, friendly phone calls, picking up prescriptions and general needs.
If you know someone who needs this please contact the Town Clerk on the number/email to the right.
01843 836182 [email protected]
Changing Minds – The Lifeboat project
They will provide mental health support, advice, anxiety management, food and essentials for the local community throughout the Corona virus Pandemic. This will consist of weekly podcasts, videos discussing all things wellbeing, exercise, nutrition and more!
To offer free delivery of care packages for those in isolation within our local community, including food, toiletries & entertainment (Crosswords, card games, colouring books, etc).
To establish a phone line for those seeking a friendly chat / video chat if possible. To set up a social media hub for individuals to access for tips on combating loneliness whilst in isolation. To grow and adapt the project alongside the ever-changing situation to provide support for as many affected individuals as we can possibly reach.
Colin Rouse – [email protected]
Birchington Support group
Offering a free service which includes shopping locally, walk dog and collect prescriptions etc. Dave Adams – 07540 813028 or Jan Adams – 07540 812564
Sandwich Food Banks
Thursdays Phoenix Centre Jubilee Road 1pm-3pm. Foodbank centres open but no tea or coffee. 01304 728428
Care providers in Kent and Medway
The Kent Integrated Care Alliance (KiCA) is supporting the government and working with the care sector to ensure vulnerable adults in the community can be supported by care and support workers.
Ann Taylor, Chair of KiCA, said: “We are all aware that the spread of the coronavirus will affect everyone of us in some way over the coming months. Both staff and people using health and social care services need to be aware that current levels of care and support will be greatly reduced as we move into the peak of this pandemic.
“Whether in a care home, or in the community, there is no doubt our current lifestyles will be greatly compromised for some time to come. We want to reassure you that care providers in Kent and Medway are coming together to maintain and support the most vulnerable people in our county.
“The Alliance is pooling resources and staff to ensure the effective use of our social care workforce, and that that we can achieve the biggest impact during these difficult times. We are appealing and putting out a ‘call to arms’ for volunteers and people who have previously worked in the health and social care sector to make contact with their local care providers to offer their services.
“As you can imagine care providers are facing huge pressures to maintain the current provision of community based care as well as trying to support the local health economy by ensuring clinical beds are free for those who are seriously ill. We invite anyone who is currently not working due to the disruption, but fit and well, to approach their local care providers to offer short-term contract support until the country returns to normality.
“The county’s social care sector is also particularly keen to here from individuals who may have transferable skills from other sectors such as; hospitality, hair and beauty, retail, and childcare. If you would like to help, please contact local care providers in your area or contact KiCA directly on the following email [email protected] where signposting assistance will be provided.”
Government health advice
Stay at home if you have either:
- a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.
- if you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
- if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days
National data
As of 9am on 22 March 2020, 78,340 people have been tested in the UK, of which 72,657 were confirmed negative and 5,683 were confirmed positive.
281 – a rise of 48 – patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.
In Kent, 48 people are confirmed as positive for the virus – up 13 from March 20 – with a further 11 in Medway.
Confirmed cases in Thanet include one at Birchington Vale, another in Westgate, a staff member at Saga and a parent of a Chatham & Clarendon grammar student.
