The National Association of Care Catering (NACC), in collaboration with the charity Sustain and the Sustainable Food Cities Network, has produced a series of case studies that champions innovative, alternative models for Meals on Wheels services that remove dependency on continually shrinking social care budgets and could help secure the currently threatened service for future generations.
The four inspirational Meals on Wheels services from across the UK showcase positive approaches to sustaining services in an economic climate that has seen an alarming number of services close.
Research conducted on behalf of the NACC for Meals on Wheels Week 2016 (November 2016) confirmed that the non-statutory Meals on Wheels service is under immense pressure across the UK because of continual funding cuts. The number of councils providing Meals on Wheels to vulnerable and older people living independently in their own homes dropped below 50% for the first time, with just 48% of authorities providing a service compared with 66% only two years prior.
This rapid downward trend highlighted an urgent need for local authorities to think differently and creatively about how their Meals on Wheels services are delivered to avoid further closures and protect the vital service that provides a nutritional, physical, emotional and social lifeline for many elderly and vulnerable people across the country.
From creating social enterprises and forging partnerships with relevant local services, to adopting a more business-focused approach or combining Meals on Wheels with school meals production to keep overheads and costs down, the four case studies – from Hertfordshire Independent Living Service and CATERed in Plymouth, England, Tayside Contracts, Scotland and Gwent Blaenau, Wales – are great examples of successful modern service models that prove that closing services is not the only option for local authorities when funding is reduced or removed.
As part of its ongoing campaign to protect the Meals on Wheels service, the NACC has shared the case studies as widely as possible with decision makers in local authorities to highlight the positive alternative approaches and encourage them to follow suit and adopt similar innovative models.
The case studies can be viewed at www.thenacc.co.uk/resources/mealsonwheelsbestpractices
Neel Radia, the national chair of the NACC, explains: “We have seen a most disturbing pattern of Meals on Wheels services being shut down as a short-term solution to budget cuts. In addition, where a Meals on Wheels service is no longer available, some local authorities have been signposting the elderly and vulnerable to inappropriate alternatives, such as websites and fast food outlets, which really is a great cause for concern.
“However, in these challenging economic circumstances we have seen inspirational examples of opportunity and innovation from local authorities determined to sustain their Meals on Wheels services. We believe that this could be the solution to protecting the service for future generations and this is why we have produced the case studies to share with as many decision makers and influencers as possible.
“Funding for Meals on Wheels is not going to magically reappear, but the case studies clearly show that there are positive, sustainable alternatives to the traditional service model. We are urging all local authorities to take inspiration and consider new approaches in their localities in order to save the valuable service that enables our older population to live safely in their own homes and communities for longer.”
Simon Shaw, Food Poverty Campaign Coordinator at Sustain, adds: “Working across the UK, we know local areas are very concerned that older people and other vulnerable groups face barriers in accessing nutritious affordable food. These four case studies are very positive examples of how different areas have developed Meals on Wheels services which ensure access to good food, provide additional benefits, for example by reducing loneliness and isolation, and benefit the wider community, such as with jobs and apprenticeships. We hope these examples energise and inspire local commissioners to develop services fit for the 21st century.”