THE Bude community is pulling together as uncertain times lay ahead.

The community spirit in the Bude area is quite evident as a number of individuals and local businesses have clubbed together to ensure the elderly, vulnerable and those in self-isolation are able to access vital services and supplies.

Bude Post Office is offering a home delivery service, and the town’s head post master Luke Francis claims to be the first in the country to offer such a service, kickstarting a number of community initiatives nationwide.

As part of the home delivery service, Bude Post Office will offer collection and delivery for letters, parcels, home shopping returns, bill payments and electric or gas top-ups. The service will cover Bude, and all the way to Morwenstow and Crackington Haven.

Luke told the Post more about the scheme: “I was quite upset by what I was seeing — the every-man-for-himself attitude that has been going on in all the shops and supermarkets. I wanted to make sure my customers in Bude are looked after, safe and not worried about not being able to get what they might need. It’s about reassuring them.”

Since then the Post Office has had a huge response. Luke said: “I was the first in the country to start this. It’s about encouraging people to stretch out to our community and help the older generation. If anyone is self-isolating, we’re here to help.”

The Post Office is also working with a group led by local lady Amanda Tame to provide a list of services in the area and point people towards the right departments for different households needs.

Luke added: “There’s loads of businesses offering services and loads of people offering to help.

“It’s my duty as head post master to care and look after the people in our community.”

Amanda Tame is leading a new social media group for people in the Bude area to connect with local businesses and services if they find themselves self-isolating.

Amanda said she was keen to round-up those in the community willing to help others through a newly set up Facebook group, Bude and Surrounding Areas Quarantine Support Group.

She said: “I saw all of the posts on Facebook offering help in different ways and decided to put those posts in one place so people can post on the group and get somebody to help them out.”

A generic slip has been going round nationwide, where people can write their names and what they are able to offer to neighbours and post it through their doors. Amanda has so far printed off 100 copies of the slip. She is also compiling a list to be printed off, with the contact information of various businesses and organisations who are able to help people in need with things like hot meals and groceries.

On Monday, March 16 Amanda visited Bude-Stratton Town Council, who have pledged their support and worked with her to create a formal statement for the people of Bude.

Amanda said: “Loads of people from Bude have stepped up — it’s a team effort. It’s been amazing and I’m blow away by the response. I was feeling really helpless before, and I can’t quite believe that this is happening, but I think people are thinking they don’t know what to do so communities need to pull together.

“I put that group up three days ago and it’s had such a massive response, it’s just amazing. Today was the first day we had someone posting saying a lady in Bridgerule needed some help, and loads of people have offered to do something.”

If you are self-isolating in the Bude area and feel concerned about accessing supplies, join the Bude and Surrounding Areas Quarantine Support Group for advice and support from people nearby.

To find out more about Bude Post Office’s home delivery service, ring the Post Office on 01288 359 255.