Axminster Community Emergency Response (ACER)

For information on how to order, collect and get delivery of prescriptions and repeat medication please click on Prescription Advice.

Please see the attachment for local outlets still offering a delivery or collection service of fresh and cooked food to the Axminster area.

List of Food Outlets 

High Street - retailers of the town selling goods which were deemed 'non-essential' during lockdown will be allowed to re-open from 15 June.  This will present both retailers and shoppers with an opportunity to kickstart Axminster's thriving market town again, but with some differences.  If you are a retailer and need some advice on how to achieve social distancing etc. in your space, then this toolkit may help:  Better Business For All Covid-19 toolkit

Citizens Advice Bureau - how to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau whilst their offices/outreach services are closed.

Police Advice  - to find out abut police advice during the epidemic and their powers under new legislation click here

Funding - if you are a grateful recipient, or a family member of someone who has received our help and would like to give something back for us to continue to assist those who need us, you can make a donation through our GoFundMe page.  Thank you in advance for making our efforts possible!

Rights of Way - some people may be fortunate enough to have a public right of way on their doorstep for them to take their daily exercise.  If you are using a right of way, please be considerate, keep dogs on a lead and stick to the path.  For more advice, see the Devon County Council Rights of Way Coronavirus update page.

Axminster Library - whilst closed, the library still has lots of e-resources for members to access  For more information click on the link:  Devon Libraries

Over 55s - if you're missing a coffee and a chat with friends, why not try the weekly Devon highlights online session?  There's lots of activities planned and more importantly, social contact with like-minded people:  Devon Highlights Invitation

Children/Young People - There is a free downloadable booklet, aimed at children, published by Nosy Crow and illustrated and written by the children's author, Axel Scheffler. It answers the many questions they may have about the disease. You can access it by clicking on this link: Coronavirus: A guide for children

This can be a difficult time mentally for everyone, but especially young people, who especially miss that social contact with their peers.  For tips on self-help and how to provide support during the lockdown, take a look at Young Devon: Wellbeing Toolkit or there is a child and parent pack with general advice, activities and details of specialised support groups - download it here.

If your teens need to talk to someone outside the family, they can contact a registered youth worker for a chat, see the poster for more information.

Resilience assistance - having trouble sleeping due to worries or the change in routine?  Developed by a clinical psychologist, his may help you: Help with Sleeping - part 1 and Help with Sleeping - part 2

News -  for updates on local services, closures and any other information related to the current disruption of business as usual during the outbreak, please see below, or on our News page:

Devon County Council Bulletin - dated 1 July 2020 including Local Outbreak Management Plan 

Devon County Council Bulletin - dated 26 June 2020 

Devon County Council Bulletin - 19 June 2020 

Devon County Council Bulletin - dated 17 June 2020 

Devon County Council Bulletin - dated 12 June 2020 

Devon County Council Bulletin - dated 9 June 2020 

Devon County Council - dated 5 June 2020 

Devon County Council Bulletin - dated 2 June 2020 

New testing sites to be opened - on-site testing for COVID-19 for frontline workers, and drive-in sites in Plymouth and Exeter to be opened for key workers 

If you would like to offer your services to help in your local area as a volunteer, please complete the attached form in the first instance and someone will be in contact with you shortly.  Volunteer Application Form

If you would like more information about what is involved, please call Cindy Furse at Light Up Axminster on 07930 800 225 for a chat. 

Organisations Involved in ACER 

In Axminster, we are fortunate to have a strong network of community groups and organisations who have pulled together to form ACER in this time of national crisis.  These groups have been supported and facilitated by Axminster Town Council, the Police, our East Devon District Councillors and our Devon County Councillor (Axminster Division).  These groups include:

Axminster Town Council hosted a meeting with several community groups in response to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19). This meeting was also attended by Town, District, and County Councillors.

The Town council, in conjunction with these groups, are planning a strategy to offer support to the local community.

It will come as no surprise to our residents that we found that there is already a great deal of support in place from individual volunteers and community organisations and this can be enhanced to extend its availability where and when that becomes necessary.

There will be a dedicated phone number for residents to call for help or advice.  This number is 01297 35550.   We will be making every effort to ensure that the information gets to everyone, and as quickly as possible.  

Until we are fully up and running please continue to use your existing support.

Observe all the health advice currently available, and of course in the event of a real emergency, call the emergency services.

We’ll be with you soon.  Please bookmark this page, so you can keep an eye on updates and information that is to be added.

Stay well

Anni Young

Mayor of Axminster