Under the new partnership, community meals recipients in Buckinghamshire will receive leaflets inviting them to have a free fire safety visit and apetito’s delivery team will be on hand to help those keen to receive a visit, but who may have difficulty completing the form.
Forms will be collected from apetito’s depot in Aylesbury on a weekly basis and those who are interested will receive a visit from firefighters, who will discuss fire safety, carry out a safety check and fit smoke alarms where needed.
John Woolford, head of operations at apetito, said: “Meals on wheels services play an important role in helping the elderly remain in their own homes for as long as possible by providing a hot, nutritious meal, as well as a vital source of human contact.
“We’re dedicated to helping those who rely on our service to remain safe and well and awareness of fire safety is a crucial part of maintaining their health and wellbeing. We’re therefore keen to work in a similar manner with fire services in the other parts of the country we serve.”
Crew Manager Jamie Ewers from Aylesbury Fire Station added: “This new partnership quite literally enables us to get our foot in the door with apetito’s service users, who fall into some of the key vulnerable groups we target for free fire safety checks.”