Celebrating the work of the Meals On Wheels Service

Last night's Cost Sector Catering Awards ceremony saw the Meals on Wheels Service recognised for delivering an outstanding service through the recent heavy snowfall that blanketed most of the UK. We take a look at the judging panel's reasons for awarding them the highest accolade bestowed by these awards. The sector we are recognising originated during the Blitz when many people lost their homes and therefore the ability to cook their own food. Today's modern service now provides for people of any age who are unable to cook their own meals at home and are unable to get a hot meal. The Meals on Wheels service is a lifeline that not only provides a hot meal each day, but is a safeguard and sometimes a lifeline to vulnerable people. With over a fifth of 65-year olds and over having contact less than once a week with their friends and family, this daily human contact is invaluable. Delivery is either by local authority staff, or by a voluntary organisation or by a contractor who between them serve in excess of 22 million meals per year. This service continues 365 days a year and is offered during all weathers. As we all know the past twelve months have seen real extremes of gales, floods and snowstorms. The best way of showing you why, tonight, we are recognising the extreme dedication of the providers of this service, can best be explained by reading you just a few news cuttings. A dedicated woman walked seven miles in the treacherous snow determined to make sure vulnerable people got their Meals on Wheels. Setting off from home at 4:20am she not only made it to work, but every meal was delivered on time. A Meals on Wheels volunteer has been praised for her actions after she found a man she was delivering a meal to had collapsed. He had been lying behind the door of his home for nearly 12 hours when she arrived. The volunteer called in emergency services and the man is now recovering and is expected to return home. South Gloucestershire's Meals on Wheels are prepared at local schools – all of which were shut after recent heavy snowfalls. But the team got hot meals to the people who needed them. Mrs Heath said: "They have been absolute bricks, every single one of them. We had people scaling walls to get to the kitchens because school gates were locked." One Meals on Wheels driver was doing her rounds when she noticed a woman who was dazed and confused wandering into the path of oncoming traffic. She was instrumental in guiding the woman out of danger before the police arrived to escort her to safety. And here is a word from a recipient of the service: "I live alone and have relied on the Meals on Wheels service for my daily hot meal for the last two years after sustaining a broken pelvis. Because of the heavy snowfall on Monday I had not expected a delivery. No one else braved the deep snow and icy conditions, neither the milk, post or newspapers were delivered. However, to my astonishment and delight my valiant Meals on Wheels deliverer rang my doorbell at the usual time with a hot and very welcomed meal and a big smile. It made my day. So thank you all at Meals on Wheels for your superb organisation and dedicated staff." With modern day teenagers getting bad press it's nice to hear about youngsters like Ryan Wisely, who sadly lost his mum to cancer just a few months ago and his dad died when he was just five. His selfless action brings hope and warmth into the homes of vulnerable people. The 19 year old spends five days a week delivering Meals on Wheels to elderly people. Congratulations to all of these magnificent people and the entire wonderful Meals on Wheels service on receiving the 2009 Cost Sector Catering Blue Ribband Award. Many thanks to all our sponsors Apetito Brakes Cadbury UK Coca Cola Enterprises Ltd Convotherm Dr Oetker Food-Service Iwave Automated Foodservice Solutions Electrolux Professional Fretwell-Downing Hospitality GlaxoSmithKline Hobart UK Love Joes Meiko UK MKN UK Nestle Professional Pre