Shopping and errands

Some people find it difficult to get out and about to do their shopping due to disability, frailty or illness.

If you have no friends or relatives to help you with this you could try shopping online for items to be delivered directly to your door. Some local shops may also deliver to your home but you would need to telephone them directly to see if they offer this service. There is also help available in the borough.

Supermarket delivery

Many supermarkets now offer a home delivery service where you can purchase fresh food to cook or frozen meals to heat up, at your own convenience.

You also have a variety of meals to choose from, such as Indian, Italian, Chinese and traditional British dishes, as well as many vegetarian and organic options.

How to order

You can order online or via telephone and arrange a convenient time for the delivery to take place. Many supermarkets also offer delivery to an address other than that of the cardholder.

When ordering online, you'll need to register and then log in to browse the meal options. You can compare prices and select quantities and, when you're happy with your choice, you go to the checkout. Here you can save your purchase list for ease of future ordering and pay for your order by credit or debit card.

Some supermarkets in the borough offering home delivery:

milk&more delivery

You can also order online through milk&more, which is part of the Dairy Crest Group. As well as fresh milk and other diary products, your local milkman will deliver a range of essentials to your door, from bread to seasonal organic fruit and vegetable boxes. There is no charge for delivery.

Local help

Your local Voluntary Care Group may be able to do shopping for you or drive you to a supermarket.

The Food Chain also provides services for meals, hampers and groceries if you’re HIV positive but you need to be referred.

Middlesex Association for the Blind also has a Home Visiting Service staffed by volunteers who can help you with everyday living tasks, such as shopping and visits to the GP. Contact them directly or get in touch with the sensory impairment advisers in the Adult Social Care Access Team. Alternatively, contact Middlesex Association for the Blind directly.

Frozen meals

If you are unable to get out to shop for food but you can use a microwave, one way to ensure that you get a hot, nutritious meal is to use frozen foods. Wiltshire Farm Foods or Oak House Foods will deliver frozen ready meals to your door and the delivery staff will even store them away in your freezer for you. For more information please visit the websites or email bracknell@wiltshirefarmfoods.co.uk or alternatively enquiries@oakhousefoods.co.uk.

If you have difficulty heating your food due to sight loss, a Rehabilitation Officer for Vision Impairment (ROVI) can help you to continue using the equipment you have or advise you on the most appropriate kitchen equipment for your needs. There is also a Resource Centre in the borough in Sheen Lane equipped with daily living aids for people with a visual impairment, including talking microwaves for heating food.

For more information contact the sensory advisors in the Adult Social Care Access Team

Other help

You can also check out the Community Meals (‘meals on wheels’) service, Shopping Schemes and Shopmobility.

There are a number of agencies in Richmond that can provide staff to help you with shopping, but they will charge you for this service and remember to take care to choose one that is registered and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Call 03000 616161 or email enquiries@cqc.org.uk.You could also arrange to employ someone directly, a Personal Assistant, to support you. Hestia, a local organisation, can help you to find someone. We maintain a list of Home Support Providers (June 2013)(pdf, 284KB) in the borough.

The Money Advice Service, set up by government, provides free, unbiased and independent advice, including useful information on employing your own personal assistant.

Useful contact

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Phone: 03000 616161
Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk
Web: www.cqc.org.uk

Please contact the organisations directly.