Support for older people
Get priority access to essential resources
Vulnerable people who need to stay inside can sign up to receive coronavirus support from the government, including food parcel deliveries. You can sign up on behalf of someone else.
Vulnerable people can sign up for Thames Water’s priority service. If you’re eligible, you’ll get extra support from them.
Some supermarket chains offer priority in-store shopping hours for older and/or vulnerable people only. These supermarket chains include:
Aldi: 30 minutes before opening time from Monday to Saturday.
Co-op: 8am-9am Monday to Saturday; 10am-11am on Sunday.
Iceland: First hour of trading Monday to Saturday.
Mark & Spencer: First hour of trading on Monday and Thursday.
Sainsbury’s: 8am-9am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Tesco: 9am-10am on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Waitrose: First hour of opening.
Helplines & Charities
The Silver Line operates the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 0800 470 8090.
Hourglass (previously Action on Elder Abuse) host a helpline which specifically supports older people experiencing abuse of any kind, including domestic violence.
Call 0808 808 8141 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Age UK Oxfordshire have put a new telephone support service in place. It provides advice and assistance to older people at this time. The service includes a friendly weekly check up on the phone to check how you are doing and help solve any practical problem.
Call 01865 411 288 and leave your name and number and a team member will get back to you.Age UK Oxfordshire also support a ‘Phone Friends’ system through which older people can get in touch with someone to chat if you feel lonely or can’t get out.
You can sign up by calling 0345 450 1276 or by sending an email to: phonefriends@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk.They offer weekly online home exercise sessions.
You may find the sessions they have published so far below:Session 2: Strength & Balance with floorwork
Session 6: Strength & Balance (endurance focused)
Session 8: Strength & Balance (leg strength)
Session 9: 4 minute animated workout
Session 10: Strength & Balance (balance focused)
They also offer free home exercise DVDs which they can send to you. Alternatively, the full length version of Age UK’s exercise sessions is available on YouTube.