NEWS ITEM

Jericho Helpers

A community that works

​People in Jericho have been working together to support our neighbours and friends in this difficult time. There have been a number of heartening initiatives. The Shopping for You service offers to collect groceries on Monday mornings from Sainsbury’s in Kidlington. And St Barnabas Church, the Baptist Chapel, the Oxford Synagogue and Jericho Community Association have offered telephone numbers that people can call for support of any kind. As the pandemic proceeds and more people are self isolating, such efforts will become ever more critical.

These efforts are now being coordinated through one channel—Jericho Helpers. Jericho Helpers will receive all requests for help. If you could use the help of a volunteer for grocery shopping, dog walking, or a trip to pharmacy or just for a telephone chat you can do so in the following ways.

Email: jerichohelpers@gmail.com, or phone:

• Jericho Community Centre (557902)
• St Barnabas Vicarage (964041)
• Oxford Baptist Chapel (07578618654)
• Oxford Synagogue (514356)

Similarly, If you are prepared to offer help you just send an email to jerichohelpers@gmail.com and you will be added to the roster. Volunteers will be linked with people who need help so that they can come to their own arrangements. Volunteers will not be obliged to do anything they are are not comfortable with or do not feel is within their capacity.

Shops that deliver

• Ali’s Jericho store — Ali’s is now offering a home delivery service to help those who are self-isolating. Between 3.30 pm and 6:30 pm weekdays and all-day on weekends. To place an order, ring 01865 557506. £10 minimum spend.
• Bonners Fruit and Veg—Bonners in the covered market will deliver with no minimum order, but a delivery charge of £2.20. 01865 242183. order@bonnersoxford.co.uk. Payment via cash on delivery or bank transfer
• East/West Provisions — Woodstock Road will deliver groceries locally on weekdays, a minimum of £10 per order, delivery free, call 311288, or info@eastwestprovisions.co.uk.

Waitrose is now opening its doors for older and vulnerable customers only between 8-9am.

M&S are reserving the first hour of trade every Monday and Thursday as a special shopping hour for their more vulnerable and elderly customers and the first hour of trade on a Tuesday and Friday for NHS and emergency services workers.

Canal towpath restricted

The latest position from the County Council and the Canal & River Trust is that use of the canal towpath is now limited and areas with residential moorings should be avoided entirely. With narrow paths, it is not physically possible to maintain the safe social distance of 2m (6ft) from other people. There is also the issue of those living on residential moorings, many of whom are self-isolating due to illness or who are particularly vulnerable due to age or health conditions being put at additional unnecessary risk.

The canal is not an appropriate place for exercise at this time. If you must go out, choose areas of open space where you are able to maintain your distance from other people and not cause additional anxiety to those already concerned.

Community Centre

The community centre and cafe are now closed for group activities. There will be no more classes until further notice. However, the building remains open since it houses individual offices and important local counselling services.

Post office

Because Walton Street Stationers has had to close, the post office is now closed.