Community Resources and Help in Dorset during the Corona Virus

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”

Dearest friends, I wanted to start this post with a favourite quotation of mine by Margaret Mead (1901-1978).

It is a very powerful statement in these uncertain times we are facing that reminds us that each of us can help to change the world if we come together in our communities and focus our energies together.

I have no doubt that this will bring us closer together on a global scale that we haven’t seen for a very long time. But at this moment, with so much interconnectedness online, I want this post to focus on community in my local area of Dorset and the goodness that is happening all around me.

Ultimately I wanted to create something not-too-overwhelming and supportive for you my local community to utilise during this time.

We often think, “What can I do as one person?” but we should never doubt our capacity to make a difference in this world, even if it is one person at a time. Even like me if it is necessary to social-distance for the foreseeable future I believe we can all make the smallest amount of distance together.

Before I finish this post with the resources I have found within my local part of Dorset I just wanted to remind you all that there is strength in all of this, whether we can see it or not yet.

I’m sending you endless amounts of love, grace, ease and resilience during this intense time. I hope you are healthy and well and staying calm.

If you need help, ask for it. If you can help, be of assistance. If you have money to spend, support the people who need it now. I’ll be updating this post as often as I hear new information.

Food

Dorset Food & Drink Resources

Almond & Co

The wonderful Almond & Co, a package-free shop in Westbourne I have blogged about here, are now offering deliveries and collections so they can reach more people who may be vulnerable or in self-isolation. Customers will be able to contact them to place an order either by their new phone line 01202 280303 or via email hello@almondandco.co.uk. Deliveries will be made Mondays and Fridays around the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area and will cost £5. Collections will allow customers to drop off containers at the store which will be sanitised and refilled by their staff. This is to reduce customer contact with the store. A product list can be found here. You can also find Almond & Co on Facebook here for further information.

Mad Cucumber

My favourite eatery in the whole of Dorset and beyond Mad Cucumber (again, blogged about them here) have been working on Click &Collect and delivery options for the past few days and it is up and running! You can place an order on our website and pick it up later on. The method for delivery is described on the website so please read carefully right here. They will also be changing their opening hours so for that and everyone else find out more here.

Twelve Eatery

One of my favourite vegan restaurants in the world Twelve Eatery in Bournemouth is limiting their reservations to 50% capacity to allow for their new table spacing in the restaurant as part of the restaurant ‘social distancing’ measurements. However, they are offering a 20% discount price on all our takeaways for collection so you can still enjoy their food at home with your loved ones. They are also offering a 10% discount on every Gift Card purchase for you to use in the future. Here’s my post all about Twelve and why I love them so much. Click here for more information about their offers.

Deli-licious Dorset

I spotted on a Dorset food community that the lovely Deli-licious Dorset are happy to deliver to customers and local people with ready-made meal boxes, fresh, frozen or hot meals available. They can also supply milk, eggs and bread, cheeses, cold meats and a range of meat pies, veggie and vegan pies. Deliveries are free of charge. Their service is especially beneficial to people who cannot access online deliveries from supermarkets. For additional information call them on 01425 540072 or 07760 457770. Find Deli-licious Dorset on Facebook here.

Makla

For an authentic Moroccan dining experience in Dorset look no further than Makla in Southbourne’s high street, just a short trip from the centre of Bournemouth. I’ve just reviewed this wonderful spot here but I am since so happy to tell you all that Makla are offering home delivery and take-away systems during these times. Click here to find out how to order for home delivery with the latest information on their Facebook page.

Guildhall Tavern Poole

The Guildhall Tavern in Poole is also offering high-quality wine and food to enjoy at home. To place your order for takeaway wine and food, please call 07957503027. The restaurant remains closed but they will arrange collection by appointment. Collection times can be between 10am until 1pm or 6pm until 8pm. A delivery service for addresses within a 5-mile radius from the restaurant is available between 3pm and 5pm. For further information head here.

Pamphill Dairy

I’ve been so saddened to hear about the state of supermarket shopping at the moment. Thus, if you are near to a farm shop this would be the perfect opportunity to support them and consume sensibly. The wonderful Pamphill Dairy is happy to announce that everything that they sell across their farm shop is available to purchase through home delivery (subject to availability). If you would like to place an order, please call the farm shop on 01202 880618. Delivery will be free for orders over £20 and they will take card payment over the phone when you place your order. Head here for more information.

Nativ Bournemouth

The wonderful Nativ in Bournemouth is loved for their wonderful great quality food and services with very affordable prices as well as authenticity and originality in promoting African culture. Furthermore, they are passionate about engaging and integrating with the local community. As a result, their hugely popular, healthy and affordable buffet meals are available as takeaways to be delivered to customers if they order online via the 3 major online food platforms: Justeat, Deliveroo, and  Ubereat. Find out more about Nativ Bournemouth here.

Wellness

Yoga Lounge

In addition to their studio offerings, The Yoga Lounge in Bournemouth is working hard right now to bring live-streaming classes direct from the Yoga Lounge to your living room by the end of this week. As a result you’ll be able to stay part of our wonderful community as they work, stretch and inspire each other in a new way. You can also join Lucy for 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga⁠ starting Saturday 21st March at 10am and ongoing until further notice (weather dependant). If this is something that interests you the meeting spot is right under Boscombe Pier. Please wear warm layers and bring a mat as we space ourselves out on the beach in the fresh air. Their studio classes will also continue to run as normal and they continue to maintain an exceptionally high standard of hygiene and a warm and friend sanctuary to escape the madness and keep the mind and body healthy.⁠ For more information about the Yoga Lounge head right here.

Conker Gin Hand Sanitiser

The genius creatives at Conker Gin have made hand sanitiser from the waste ‘heads’ of our gin production. From the end of this week, as I write this post, they will start to distribute these to their wine shops, bars and restaurants. They are also currently working on producing this for our wider community. Particularity the most vulnerable who desperately need it: care homes, schools and the elderly etc. And this is not something they are profiting from. Click here for more information from Conker Gin.

Emma Hairdressing

Emma, local Poole based hairdresser who with the upcoming school closures, is welcoming children into her salon. They have two tablets with kids YouTube, colouring books, children’s reading books and a train track to keep the kids occupied while you are having your hair or beauty treatments done. They will also be bringing in a DVD player so if you are bringing your children feel free to bring their favourite DVD to watch. To arrange an appointment with Emma you can call her on 07340 533810.

Nature

RSPB Arne

Nature is so important during this intense time. I was very happy to read that at RSPB Arne, their nature reserves remain open. They hope that visitors will continue to enjoy these amazing places for wildlife while observing physical distancing measures. All car parking charges will be waived so people can enjoy these sites at no cost. For more information head here.

Local Community Support

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care

Whilst people are self-isolating the wonderful Lewis- Manning Hospice Care are encouraging them to Spring Clean their homes and sort out good quality items they no longer need for their hospice shops across the county. This aims to keep people busy, and moreover it will encourage children, youngsters and families to think about others and keep them busy. When it is safe to do so the items can be collected or dropped to the various shops. The Lewis-Manning Hospice Care charity help patients with life-limiting illness, the local community and the vulnerable with their services. The hospice remains open with staff working a rota system to reduce staff contact, the nurses and clinical teams are continuing to support the many patients that need 1-2-1 help, at the hospice for urgent lymphoedema clinics. They are also supporting them by phone, skype, facetime with regards to all other services, as well as going out into the community when patients need them and they are making visits at home. For more information about the endless amazing ways Lewis-Manning Hospice Care are helping the local community head here.

PRC Streamline Taxis

The lovely team at PRC Streamline Taxis are offering special rate taxis and very special rates for delivery and collection services so they can help the local people get food and the local businesses survive. For more information head here.

Click here for the Help and Kindness support page within the Dorset area. Help from Dorset Mind. There’s also a Facebook group here.