Running 365 days a year, the service provides hot, nutritious and ready to eat meals to people who may struggle to cook or shop. Every meal delivered also includes a friendly face and vital wellbeing check.
Councillor Zoe Huggins, executive lead member for adult social care and public health, said: “Reaching the milestone of half a million meals really demonstrates the scale and importance of this service.
“Every delivery includes a wellbeing check, and if something doesn’t seem right, the team makes sure it’s followed up. That reassurance for residents and their families is what truly sets Meals on Wheels apart.
“Our partnership with HILS has already improved the lives of thousands of people, and we’re continuing to build on that success. Most recently, we’ve been working with NHS colleagues on a pilot to extend the service to people returning home from hospital.”
Hampshire County Council partnered with Health & Independent Living Support (HILS) to deliver the service in November 2023. Health & Independent Living Support (HILS) won the Team of the Year accolade at the 2025 Public Sector Catering Awards.
Tom Cottam, deputy chief executive of HILS, added: “Our Community Team Members are trained to spot concerns. They’ll plate up a meal, fetch cutlery, offer a glass of water, and – crucially - follow a ‘no reply’ procedure if a client doesn’t come to the door, escalating to our customer services team who will contact family members, neighbours or a GP when needed.”