Check out this fantasic video from Niccky Connor on Meals on Wheels Service.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH MEALS ON WHEELS WEEK 2022
Meals on Wheels week has been an important calendar week for the NACC for over 30 years. But with the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, and pending austerity measures we have been told to expect, this year's Meals on Wheels week is far more important than ever. We need to stand strong and together, to raise the banner for this vital service, that affords the most vulnerable in our communities, access of nutritious meals and well-being checks delivered to the door, of those living independently in our communities. We urge all members to join us, even if by sharing our messages on social media.
This year we have planned a theme for each day of the week, to support the industry in focal points. These days and themes are:
Meals on Wheels at the House of Lords Monday 31st October
The NACC will launch the week at House of Lords with afternoon tea, hosted by Baroness Barker. We want to launch this special week of celebration together. We invite all our members, to join us in your own communities and organisations by serving afternoon tea to your service users and colleagues.
Thankyou Tuesday Tuesday 1st November
This day is dedicated to showing appreciation for our teams. For everyone that contributes, whether that’s making the meals, volunteers, drivers, carers or those that work behind the scenes, today is the day to show our gratitude.
VIP on Wheels Wednesday 2nd November
This popular activity returns! There’s no better way to convey the value of our services, than seeing it in action and the impact it has on service users. VIP on Wheels is a fantastic opportunity to invite local MPs, VIPs and dignitaries to experience service delivery and celebrate your service and the immense value it adds to the lives of those receiving it.
Crossing borders – Meals on Wheels in Australia & Canada Thursday 3rd November
This free webinar will explore how Australia and Canada provide Meals on Wheels services. Case studies from each country, including the UK, will provide an excellent opportunity to understand and compare different models and inspire their use both here and abroad. For more information and to register for this exclusive webinar for FREE visit: https://www.csnm.ca/viewEvent.html?productId=7977
Friday Friends Friday 4th November
A special day to highlight the importance of social eating and how it helps reduce loneliness and social isolation. Friday Friends will bring people in our communities together to share the joy of food and time. This could be at a lunch club, day centre, or a care home could invite the local community in for afternoon tea. And where this may not be possible, why not simply invite a neighbour for lunch? This small gesture is sure to have an immense impact.
Social Media
The use of social media is a powerful way for us to raise awareness and reach vital decision makers. We encourage all to share what you are doing on these channels, or send to the NACC and we will share on your behalf. The NACC will also be posting a lot on the week itself, and we urge all on social media to please 'like' and 'share' those messages, so together we can make a difference.
Social media Hashtags for 2022 #MealsonWheels2022 #MealsonWheelsHeroes #MoreThanJustAMeal
More than just a meal
In 1943 the UK Meals on Wheels service was set up to deliver meals to individuals at home unable to purchase or prepare their own. Today, 77 years later, the value and need for the service has never been stronger.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen the number of vulnerable people living in the community, confined to their own homes and reliant on others, increase significantly. In response, an army of Meals on Wheels heroes has stepped up to ensure the ongoing demand for this essential lifeline is met.
From established meals on wheels services to the lunch clubs unable to welcome their guests and the closed pubs, restaurants and cafés that transferred their skill and facilities, to mention just a few, they’ve all worked tirelessly to deliver delicious, nutritious food to those in need. They’ve also innovated to ensure those that are isolated benefit mentally and emotionally from a friendly smile and a chat to make sure they’re doing ok, all within the social distancing guidelines.
The NACC is a longstanding champion of Meals on Wheels. As well as nutritious food, it offers friendly human interaction and wellbeing checks – vital ingredients that allow the vulnerable to live independently in their own homes.
It keeps them nourished and hydrated with a nutritious daily meal (in many cases the only one they will have each day) and provides an essential preventative service that reduces costly malnutrition-related admissions to hospital that are adding to the terrible strain on the NHS.
For the majority of service users, Meals on Wheels is so much more than just a meal. It’s a social lifeline that eases the devastating effects of isolation and loneliness. The delivery of a meal brings regular human contact, which for many may be the only interaction they enjoy. It also provides much-needed wellbeing and safety checks, again, crucial for those that may not see anyone else during the day.
MEALS ON WHEELS 2021 CAMPAIGN
The National Association of Care Catering (NACC) has produced a collection of special case studies to illustrate the incredible frontline contribution of UK Meals on Wheels services.
The inspirational case studies, can be downloaded here or clicking the image below, capture the agility and the vital role played by all types of Meals on Wheels services in supporting the elderly and vulnerable throughout the Covid-19 pandemic – from the established providers who extended their services to include the homeless and families in crisis, to the cafés, pubs, restaurants and hotels that adapted their skills and facilities to support their communities.
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