Labour in Leeds

Hot Meals On Hot Wheels

The council’s meals on wheels service has changed this month and now provides hot meals to its customers on seven rather than just four days a week.

Since 1 July, eligible customers across the city have been able to choose to have a hot meal delivered to their home every day of the week, 365 days a year if they wish. The new service provides meals which are freshly cooked in special vehicles on their way to customer’s homes, instead of being cooked en masse and kept warm for long periods of time. The scheme was piloted in the north east of the city about 18 months ago, and was so well received that it has now been rolled out across the whole city.

Voluntary sector partners that currently deliver meals on behalf of the council were invited to apply for contracts for the new seven day service in autumn 2009.

One such organisation is the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), who have been delivering meals in Otley and Poole for many years. They were successful in their application for a contract and have been awarded two new routes; Wetherby and Armley. The routes that they were previously delivering to have been taken over by the council with no disruption to service.

Labour Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive board member with responsibility for adult social care said:

“Hot, tasty, nourishing food is a vitally important part of achieving and maintaining a healthy and happy old age.

“The new meals at home service is part of our commitment to improving standards of care for people in Leeds, and I'm delighted that our customers can now get a hot meal delivered to them seven days a week if that’s what they want. Families and carers will also benefit from greater peace of mind in the knowledge that someone is visiting their relative every day of the week.”

Mrs Sue Hinchcliffe, who has a hot meal delivered to her home five days a week, said:
"Having a hot meal delivered more often has been really good for me. The meals are very enjoyable and there are plenty of different things to choose from. The quality is still very good and I am extremely happy with the service and the lady that brings my meals to me."

Sue Collins, WRVS head of service for Yorkshire and Humber said:
"Our volunteers have provided a fantastic service for older people in Otley, and we would like to thank them for making it such a success.

"We're sad that we won't be continuing to provide meals on wheels in Otley, but very pleased to be running two other seven day a week rounds in Leeds. We're confident that the council's meals on wheels service will be well received by customers in Otley, and have worked together to make sure that the changeover went smoothly."