Charities warn vulnerable people in Edinburgh still struggling to access food during coronavirus crisis

LEADING charities have called on the Scottish Government and supermarkets to take urgent action to offer more support to vulnerable customers struggling to get essential food supplies.

They said two and a half months into lockdown, tens of thousands of older and disabled people across Scotland were dependent on food parcels because they could not access supermarkets in person or online.

In a letter to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the charities - including Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, Age Scotland, Carers Scotland, Guide Dogs Scotland, RNIB Scotland, Royal Blind and Scottish War Blinded, and Which? - urged the government and retailers to work together to ensure all vulnerable consumers, of any age, and their carers receive the support they need to access food.

They acknowledged the efforts that supermarket had made since the beginning of the crisis, including setting aside special times for vulnerable customers and priority online delivery slots.

But they said there were still many people not categorised as “shielding” but who could not get to the supermarket and were also unable to book online deliveries. They also called for clearly and consistent communication - and not just online.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “There are half a million over-60s in Scotland who don’t use the internet. They can’t book online delivery slots. Our recent survey showed 32 per cent of respondents had difficulties getting food from a supermarket.

“Too many older people are still struggling but we have faith that the Scottish Government and the retailers can fix this.”

And Caroline Normand, Which? Director of Advocacy, said: “Without easily accessible and clearer information for these people, and stronger coordination between the UK and Scottish governments, there is a risk that many will go hungry during this pandemic.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said a national phone line had been set up to ensure those at risk could get help for their essential needs.

She added: “Supermarkets are not able to offer online delivery slots for all those who wish to use them, and priority access is being offered to the shielded group, who are advised not to leave their homes. Retailers are taking positive action on this, including developing new support for those self-isolating, such as food box deliveries.”

‘I don’t know when I’ll next get food’

EDINBURGH woman Kirin Saeed, who is registered blind, says she finds herself limiting what she eats because she is never that sure when her next food delivery will be.

She said: “I have a paid carer who lives some distance away and I’m conscious I don’t want to burden her with too much shopping.

“Also, as I’m in the black and minority ethnic group and possibly more vulnerable to the coronavirus virus, I need to limit contact with others.

“If I went to a shop myself social distancing would be a massive problem. Touching things to ascertain what they are would, too.

“Blind people live in a world where touching things is important - but how long does the virus stay on things we touch?

“I don’t think this situation is going to change anytime soon. Everyone’s scrambling through the here and now - but what about the here and after?

“There will still be social distancing. The hope I have is that shops and supermarkets agree a standardised policy for customers with sight loss, so that we know how to safely get around shops and so do staff.

“That would be the best way forward for everybody.”