Keep volunteering call (From Tivyside Advertiser)

Keep volunteering call

4:56pm Monday 17th December 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

Older people's charity WRVS is calling on its volunteers in Ceredigion to keep volunteering despite receiving the bad news last month that the council will end the current Meals on Wheels service delivered by the charity in March 2008.

WRVS has over 700 volunteers in Ceredigion who currently deliver hot, nutritious meals to around 400 older people from two to seven days a week. However, the county council confirmed on 23 November that they intend to replace the current hot meals service with a service based on delivering batches of frozen meals to older people once a fortnight, with hot meals only going to those unable to heat the frozen meals on their own.

WRVS director of operations, Simon Branscomb, said: "WRVS is very disappointed that Ceredigion County Council have decided to go ahead with a frozen meals service. Although it may seem to offer cost savings, a largely frozen meals service will rob hundreds of older people in the area of regular social contact that's vital for housebound older people who do not have family or friends nearby. For many a WRVS volunteer delivering a meal might be the only person they see that day.

"WRVS does not bid for any meals service that does not offer older people the choice of a regular hot meals service, so unfortunately it does mean the end for our service in Ceredigion. We'd like to thank our volunteers for the amazing work they have done. They have been a real inspiration and I hope that they will want to continue to support older people in their community through by volunteering with other WRVS services in the area."

WRVS has been providing a hot meals service to older people in Ceredigion for over 20 years. All current WRVS Meals on Wheels volunteers are being urged to continue giving their time to other WRVS services in the area, all of which help older people to live independently and actively in their community. In Ceredigion WRVS provides a social transport project, a trolley shop and greetings service at Bronglais Hospital and an art club and tea bar at the Aberystwyth day centre. As well as having a team of volunteers on call night and day to support people caught up in any emergency or disaster in the area.

People interested in finding out more about these volunteering opportunities can contact 01545 571883 or 01268 843819 or go to the WRVS website on www.wrvs.org.uk.

• Print
• Email
• Share