This is a website for and about the Char Valley and its residents. On this page you'll find updates about the Coronavirus, what to do if you need help and links to local information and resources. Use the menu above to find other local information.

Coronavirus -
​Local information​

Below is local information that may be helpful. It is not officially approved and details can change fast. Please double-check before relying on it. If you find anything here that is wrong or out-of-date, please tell us. 
​

Coronavirus -
​Dorset Council information​

(In brief: anyone vulnerable who has nobody to help get them food, medicine, etc. should call the Dorset Council helpline on 01305 221022, (lines open 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week).

Coronavirus -
​Other Sources of Help​

Citizens Advice have a full range of employees and volunteers operating from home so are not currently adversely affected by self-isolation. They will continue to offer a full range of advice including help with:
  • Benefits entitlement and claims
  • Debt management and budgeting
  • Employment advice including Statutory Sick Pay and rights when laid off work
  • Advice for the self employed
Contact the Dorset Adviceline on 0344 411 1444 or email your local branch:
Bridport: advice@bridport-cab.org.uk
Central (N Dorset, Sherborne, Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester): http://westdorsetca.org.uk
E Dorset: wimborne@eastdorset.cabnet.org.uk
Purbeck: www.purbeckadvice.org.uk/contact-us.html

  • Samaritans: 116123
  • Bridport Coronavirus Support Group: 07401 243585
  • Marshwood Vale Young Farmers Club: 07901 336382
  • Rector of the Golden Cap Church Team, Chris Martin: 07546 214651
  • Charmouth Pharmacy: 01297 560261
  • Charmouth Surgery: 01297 560872

​Local Shops
  • Charmouth Stores: 01297 560304
  • Chideock Post Office and Shop: 01297 489584
  • Felicity’s Farm Shop: 01297 480930
  • Mole Avon: 01297 32441
  • Moore’s Bakery: 01297 489821
  • Morgan’s, Charmouth: 01297 560202
  • Spar, Newlands Holiday Park: 01297 560259
  • Bartlett’s Country Stores: 01308 422204

Coronavirus -
​Local help and support ​

Message from Char Valley Parish Council

Many of you will already have made arrangements with friends, family and neighbours. But if you need - or can offer - help with shopping, medicine collection or other practical matters, start here. Local volunteers (listed below) are ready to co-ordinate offers and needs. 

If you can offer help or need it, please contact any of the people listed below, preferably by email, otherwise by telephone.  Please also urge those who have email access to sign up to our email list for future communications. 
 
Morcombelake: 
Clare Mahaddie   clare.mahaddie@icloud.com 01297 489813 

Ryall: 
Rachel Coney  rachelconey0@gmail.com  
01297 489825  

and Eddie Hall edwardhallhome@gmail.com 
07971 225873 

Fishponds:
Jeanne Coates  jeanne@coates2.com
01297 678303

Monkton Wyld:
Sarah Drewer  info@monktonwyld.org (please ask for Sarah) 01297 560342

Stanton St Gabriel:   
Andrew Carey  andrew@westhay.com
01297 560057 

Whitchurch Canonicorum:
Carolyn Peck carolyn56peck@gmail.com
01297 489185
 
Wootton Fitzpaine: 
​Debby Snook debsnook@aol.com 01297 561395 

[In the Upper Marshwood Vale Parish Councll area, please contact Matthew Bowditch - m1bowditch.vets@virgin.net  01308 862758]

Coronavirus -
Government and national information​

  • ​Latest advice from the UK Government is here
  • Social distancing advice is here
  • The NHS has information that is updated regularly here.
  • This guidance, developed with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, aims to assist employers and businesses in providing advice to their staff.
  • You may find the advice from ACAS useful with employment-related issues.
  • For further reading, the Local Government Association has published a very useful list of different government advice sources here.