10/06/2026
Due to the upcoming gas works in Bickington and Fremington, we’ve been looking at how best to support local residents, particularly those who may find themselves cut off or struggling to get out and about.
We (separate from Age UK), are already supporting many people aged 60+ across our community, including those in the affected areas and going forward we would like to step in and help coordinate support. This means we’re now looking for local volunteers who might be able to lend a hand during what could be quite a difficult time for some. This could include things like:
Driving people to medical appointments
Helping with food shopping
Delivering medication
We’re also in real need of befrienders — both locally in the affected areas and over the phone — to help check in on people who may be feeling isolated or worried.
If you feel you could spare a bit of time to help, even just occasionally, it really would make a difference. We know from previous challenges that our community is brilliant at pulling together when it matters most.
If you’d like to get involved, please contact Jill, our Volunteer Manager at Age Concern, on 01271 445134. She’ll be able to talk you through what’s involved and what support is available to you.
Volunteering through Age Concern also means you won’t be on your own — you’ll be supported. There will be a simple volunteer form, references and DBS check to make sure everyone is safe and suitable for the role. Your volunteer expenses will be paid too.
Over the past few days, as Councillors, we’ve been putting a significant amount of focus on how we can best support vulnerable residents during the upcoming road closures in Bickington and Fremington.
We know this is going to be a challenging period for many, and supporting those who may struggle to access services or get out and about is a priority. I will continue to update you further as work progresses.
I am still awaiting responses to a number of queries I’ve raised with the relevant authorities, and I want to ensure I can give you clear and accurate information. I will be issuing a fuller statement on Friday evening, following our meeting, where I hope to have answers to many of the questions raised.
In the meantime, I would kindly ask that you only contact me with urgent or genuine concerns, as I am currently receiving a very high volume of messages and it is becoming increasingly difficult to respond to them all. Please do take a look at my other posts on this subject, as many common questions have already been addressed there.
You should also hopefully receive a letter from us by the end of the week, outlining key information. A huge thank you to our volunteers who are helping distribute these across Bickington, Fremington, Yelland and Instow, your support is really appreciated.
Alongside this, we’ve been working with Age Concern Barnstaple & North Devon (a local charity supporting residents aged 60+), who have kindly offered to help coordinate support for those who need it most during this time.
They are currently looking for volunteers to assist with things such as:
Transport to medical appointments
Help with food shopping
Delivering medication
Providing companionship or check-in calls
If you are able to help, even occasionally, it really would make a difference. Our community is always at its best when we come together like this.
If you’d like to get involved, please contact Jill, Volunteer Manager at Age Concern, on 01271 445134.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support.
