There are a number of people purporting to represent volunteers; you should only accept offers of assistance if you are convinced of their good intentions.
The organisations below offer to assist neighbours within our three villages in getting shopping, medicines, etc., or just keeping in touch and offering a reassuring word.
Please note that these organisations do not and cannot offer medical advice; anyone needing medical advice should contact their local medical practice, visit 111.nhs.uk online, dial 111 if they have no internet access, or dial 999 in an emergency.
Please also note that any organisation listed here is not part of, or endorsed by the Residents’ Association, and if you to make use of the services you should be comfortable that the individuals are reliable and trustworthy. If the volunteer recommended by any of the local organisations is unknown to you, please talk to a family member or trusted friend, a neighbour, or your local RA street representative. You should only provide your full address when you are comfortable that the offer of support is genuine.
Surrey County Council have offered advice which includes:
- Do not place items on your doorstep to say you need help as this is an invitation to scammers that you may be in a vulnerable situation. So, if you receive a leaflet, do not respond in this way.
- If people offer to do your shopping and ask for money up front they may then disappear. Take care.
Finally, the Residents’ Association would suggest that you should not give donations to any person or group unless to a properly constituted Charity.
Byfleet
| Byfleet Care 29 Woodlands Avenue, West Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 6AT E: byfleetcare@gmail.com T: 07936 513 863 |
A long standing local voluntary driver scheme (all DBS checked) offering help with transport, and now extends to shopping and collecting medication |
| Covid19 Byfleet Volunteer Group T: 0800 048 9991 F: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2800879266647498/?ref=bookmarks |
Offering help with shopping, walking the dog, collecting prescriptions, a friendly phone call and much more. Supported by St Mary’s Church and putting DBS checks in place |
West Byfleet
| Byfleet Care 29 Woodlands Avenue, West Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 6AT E: byfleetcare@gmail.com T: 07936 513 863 |
A long standing local voluntary driver scheme (all DBS checked) offering help with transport, and now extends to shopping and collecting medication |
| West Byfleet Coronavirus Support T: 0800 048 9991 E: emma@citizenkind.com F: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2870141726402668 |
Recently established group of volunteers offering help with shopping, walking the dog, collecting prescriptions, a friendly phone call and much more. |
The RA has been advised that volunteer groups, intended to provide support for neighbours during this pandemic, have been established in the following streets:
| Dartnell Park Elmstead Road Hollies Avenue Old Avenue Station Road The Oaks Woodlands Avenue |
Please contact the relevant Street Representative for more details, or email vrwb@the-residents.org |
Pyrford
| Good Neighbours – Pyrford & Wisley Helping Others T: 07732 066 314 Available 09:30 – 12:00 daily |
This is a long-standing group. Please call between 9:30am and 12 noon |
The RA has been advised that volunteer groups, intended to provide support for neighbours during this pandemic, have been established in the following streets:
| Blackdown Avenue Church Hill Coldharbour Road (Oakcroft Road to Old Woking Road) Dane Court Forest Road Hacketts Lane Hare Hill Close Heathdown Road Lincoln Drive Lovelace Drive (Part) Onslow Way Peatmore Avenue Peatmore Close Redcourt Ridgway Ridgway Road Rowley Bristow Development The Ridings Thorley Gardens Weston Gardens Wexfenne Gardens |
Please contact the relevant Street Representative for more details, or email vrp@the-residents.org |
Other Useful Organisations
| NHS Volunteer Responders W: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/03/your-nhs-needs-you-nhs-call-for-volunteer-army/ |
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| Woking Borough Council & Surrey County Council Community Helpline T: 0300 200 1008 |
Available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm |
| British Red cross W: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-support-at-home |
You can get support and care from the British Red Cross to help you live independently at home or when you return after a stay in hospital |
For full information about the Community Helpline, and other coronavirus advice and support, please visit surreycc.gov.uk/coronavirus
Protecting People from Coronavirus Fraud (Advice received from Surrey CC, in conjunction with local Trading Standards)
Advice regarding some scams arising out of the Coronavirus Pandemic that we are aware of (this list is not exhaustive):
- At the present time there are no Coronavirus testing kits available to buy, or to be tested at your doorstep. Do not be tempted to pay for this non-existent service.
- Do NOT place items on your doorstep to say you need help as this is an invitation to scammers that you may be in a vulnerable situation.
- The council DO NOT need to enter your house to do a deep clean.
- Emails saying that you can get a refund on taxes or business rates should be treated with extreme caution. Often the sender just wants your personal details.
- Do not pay upfront fees. We are aware of phone calls from ‘energy companies’ offering credit during the crisis if they can collect an advance payment. This is a scam.
- Your bank or the police will NEVER ask for your bank details over the phone.