New-look meals on wheels celebrated in Leicestershire

Breakfast and tea-time treats are among the improvements being offered by Leicestershire County Council’s new-look meals on wheels service.

People can order breakfast and tea packs, which are delivered along with their hot meal each day. And the council is trialling deliveries at different times, so that people can have hot evening meals or three deliveries a day, if they want.

The news comes as Leicestershire celebrates National Community Meals Week, which is promoting meal deliveries as a way of preventing malnutrition among older people.

David Sprason, the county council’s cabinet member for Adults and Communities, said: Meals on wheels play a vital role in helping older people to live healthy, independent lives. They offer tasty, good value, nutritious food every day of the year and the delivery drivers are unsung heroes, becoming caring friends to each of our customers.”

Around 650 people in Leicestershire benefit from the county council’s meals service, which is provided by their approved contractor, I Care.

The National Association of Care Catering says meals on wheels provide a vital service to older people, who need a diet rich in nutrients and energy, to ensure they are not malnourished. Delivery staff also check that customers are safe and well in their homes and whether they need any help.

Here are some key facts about Leicestershire’s service:

•It runs every day, serving 650 meals

•Meals cost £3.20 per day

•The menu varies every week – it offers a choice of two hot meals, with vegetarian and special diet options, plus a choice of two hot and cold desserts

•The most popular meal is chicken breast with vegetables and potatoes and the most popular dessert is lemon sponge

•Tea and breakfast packs can be delivered with the main meal and put in the fridge for later

•Tea-time packs include sandwiches or salad, and fruit, cake or biscuit, yoghurt and fruit juice drink , while breakfast packs include cereals, milk, fruit, yoghurt and fruit juice

•The council has launched a pilot scheme in North West Leicestershire, where meals can be ordered up to three times a day, including a hot evening meal

The County Council is marking National Community Meals week by staging two tea dances at Roman Way Day Centre, Market Harborough, from 4pm-6pm on Friday, October 15th. Guests from the council’s lunch clubs will be invited to dress up as heroes of the Battle of Britain.

For further details about meals on wheels, see http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/social_services/support_home/community_meals.htm