Midhurst Shopping Service teams up with Waitrose to help vulnerable clients during lockdown

Volunteers from the Midhurst Shopping Service have been working with Waitrose throughout the lockdown to provide 151 shops for 28 elderly and disabled clients who are self-isolating.
By James Connaughton
Published 2nd Jul 2020, 14:11 BST
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The service has also been operating a buddy system to provide social contact and a courier service for prescriptions or other urgent requirements.

The Sir Geoffrey Todd Trust set up the Midhurst Shopping Service in 2014, in conjunction with Midhurst Yellow Bus, with shoppers taken on the Yellow Bus into Petersfield every Monday and alternate Thursday afternoons to do their shopping and go for tea before being delivered home.

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The programme was altered at the start of the lockdown with 16 volunteers now doing all the shopping for clients on Mondays and alternate Wednesdays, which is delivered by Waitrose the following day.

Clare Cotton, Diana Midmer, Andrew Hopkirk, Adrian Moore, Midhurst Town Council chairman Carol Lintott, Anthea Philip, Sir Geoffrey Todd Trust chairman Hugh Horne, Rose Hubbard and Fritha PodschiesClare Cotton, Diana Midmer, Andrew Hopkirk, Adrian Moore, Midhurst Town Council chairman Carol Lintott, Anthea Philip, Sir Geoffrey Todd Trust chairman Hugh Horne, Rose Hubbard and Fritha Podschies
Clare Cotton, Diana Midmer, Andrew Hopkirk, Adrian Moore, Midhurst Town Council chairman Carol Lintott, Anthea Philip, Sir Geoffrey Todd Trust chairman Hugh Horne, Rose Hubbard and Fritha Podschies

Midhurst Shopping Service volunteer Andrew Hopkirk said it had provided a real lifeline for its vulnerable clients and they were most appreciative.

The Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Resilient Communities Fund, in conjunction with Midhurst Town Council, has recently provided a donation to the trust to continue the service.

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Related topics:WaitroseMidhurst Town Council