The event was hosted by The Baroness Pitkeathley OBE and was designed to highlight the ‘significant impact’ of meals on wheels services across the country. The NACC started campaigning for the provision of meals on wheels over 25 years ago to raise awareness of the ‘immense value’ the meal service provides to those who are vulnerable and elderly.
Speaking at the event, Baroness Pitkeathley said: “I am delighted that you are having not just a day but an entire week to celebrate meals on wheels. So often these preventative services are the first to be cut which to anyone who takes an interest in social care will know is totally the wrong decision to make.”
The meals on wheels service enables people to remain independent in their own homes, keeping them healthy and hydrated with a daily nutritious meal. The service also reduces costly malnutrition related admissions to hospital, that are currently adding an unnecessary strain on the NHS.
Neel Radia, NACC lead for meals on wheels, added: “This service represents more than just a meal and should never be underestimated. The service plays a vital role in providing people with nutritional support: essential for health and wellbeing as well as ‘safety’ wellbeing checks and social contact. We should all be striving to assist vulnerable people in remaining well, healthy and happy in their own homes – meals on wheels are vital in helping us to achieve this.
“Meals on Wheels Week, and raising awareness of its immense value has never been as important as it is today, as we brace ourselves to see even more meals on wheels providers face closure this winter at a time when the country is in a cost-of-living crisis and so many vulnerable and elderly will have to make the soul-destroying decision this winter, on whether to heat their home or eat.”
Other events on this week include:
- VIP on Wheels: is a fantastic opportunity to invite locals MPs to experience a meals on wheels delivery to celebrate the value it adds to the lives of those receiving a meal.
- International Meals on Wheels Webinar: operators across the globe will be discussing their meals on wheels operations.
- Friday Friends: aims to highlight the importance of social eating and how it helps reduce loneliness and isolation.