SO when you think who’ll most likely be working over the Christmas period, the emergency services and health service are often among the first to spring to mind.

But there’s another service in Ceredigion that operates seven days a week, 365 days a year – and that’s Meals on Wheels.

Volunteers will pick up the food from the Emlyn Café at Tanygroes as usual and hit the roads on Christmas Day and throughout the rest of the festive season to ensure those in need get a piping hot meal.

But there’s more to it than that, as often a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver can often be the only friendly face an isolated person might see during the day.

There’s a chance for a quick chat and check to see everything is okay and then it’s off to the next stop.

The traditional Meals on Wheels service is increasingly under pressure as both local authorities and volunteer groups feel the financial squeeze.

But for Lyn Evans and daughter Rian at the Emlyn Café, Meals on Wheels has become almost a way of life.

It was started back in 1990 by Lyn’s father Jon and Lyn and Rian now carry on what has become a family tradition.

Seven boxes of food go out of the door every day – five at weekends – with up to 70 meals freshly prepared each day.

It’s a military-like operation, stretching from North Pembrokeshire and the Cilgerran area up to Synod Inn and all points in between, including Cardigan, Aberporth, Newcastle Emlyn, Llandysul, Llangrannog and Drefach Felindre.

“Many people still want a traditional home-cooked meal delivered fresh every day. They don’t to get things out of a freezer and reheat it in a microwave,” said Lyn.

“I think the social aspect is also important in that they see a familiar, friendly face every day whereas otherwise they might be on their own for days at a time if they are housebound.”

Christmas Day will be no different to any other, with most people opting for a traditional turkey dinner, though the service caters for all dietary requirements, including vegetarians, diabetics etc.

And if you don’t like sprouts, you won’t get sprouts!

PCSO Matt Kieboom, from Cardigan’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, will occasionally tag along with a driver.

He said: “Some of the people the service delivers to are isolated and vulnerable and the work they do helps keep an eye on them.

“From a policing point of view, it’s a great way to highlight people who may need support from us or other agencies.

“By personally going along every now and again with Meals on Wheels, it helps us to monitor them in a friendly, informal way.

“Without the work of the volunteers and the likes of Lyn and his family, we might never know about these people. It gives them reassurance that they are not forgotten and it there are any problems, we are here to help.”

Anyone interested in acting as a volunteer driver can contact Lyn at Emlyn Café on 01239 810143.