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Shopping for food and other essential items can be challenging when you are older or living with a disability. 

If you can, ask for support from people around you. 

Friends, family and trusted neighbours are often more than willing to help. 

They may be happy to:

• pick up essential items for you when they do their own regular shop
• take you with them when they go shopping
• help you unpack and put your shopping away

Tips to make preparing your shopping list quicker and easier:

• Keep a pencil and notepad handy, to write what you need as you remember things or when something runs out.
• If there are certain items that you need every week, get a few copies of that list made so you just need to add any extra items.
• If you place an order online, you normally get the option of storing 'favourites' or 'my last order'.
• If you own an Amazon Alexa, you can ask her to add items to your shopping list. You can then view your list in the Alexa app on your phone.

Getting to and from the shops may be difficult for some people.

If you need a big shop and can't get there, ask a relative, friend or neighbour if they can take you. You could even ask them to pick up some shopping for you.

Consider taking a taxi if you have lots of shopping or don't live very close to a bus stop.

Local organisations in the community may offer to take people shopping.

offer a 'Shopper service'. This is a door-to-door service with the advantage that the driver will carry your bags into your house and place them on the kitchen bench.

You need to become a member to be able to use their transport. The yearly membership fee is £15.

You can order and pay for your groceries over the internet. You can choose:

• Home delivery - choose a time for your shopping to be delivered to your home
  • Delivery charges will apply; these are cheapest during normal office hours or with a 'delivery saver' scheme
  • Amazon have partnered up with Morisons to provide online food shopping through the  or app. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can get free delivery. 
• Click and collect - order your shopping online and choose a time to collect it from the supermarket
  • This can be useful if you want to ask a friend, relative or support worker to collect your shopping for you, but don't want to take up too much of their time
  • There is a small charge for shopping under a certain amount (you could consider fortnightly shopping instead of weekly)

When you shop online:

• it's easy to see special offers
• you can change your order on the day before your delivery/collection
• you can save your list so you only have to update it next time

Some grocery websites include: 

Help using the internet

If you can't use the internet or don't feel comfortable, why not ask family or friends to help or order for you?

 can help with developing digital skills to help you to shop online, either at home (if you have internet connection) or through courses held at their offices.

Milk and dairy deliveries

Your local milkman / milkwoman can provide doorstep deliveries of milk and other diary products.

Look for local dairy deliveries in South Tyneside: 

Staying independent in your own home

For more information about support with living in your own home, including home care, mobiles meals and more, see support at home.