Age UK Wiltshire has recently been gaining more presence in Marlborough and the above shop opened in April last year. As well as the retail business, vital for generating money with which to provide their valuable services, Age UK Wiltshire operate a meals on wheels service, albeit one with a bit of a difference over much of the Wiltshire area. And the charity is looking to grow the service particularly across the Marlborough and surrounding area.
A core service is meals on wheels, a service that delivers meals to the elderly potentially every day and across Wiltshire. But what they provide is just a bit more than meals. The charity delivers a Wellbeing Checks with Meals service which means that their drivers do somewhat more than just deliver meals. They also carry out a ‘Wellbeing Check’ which, without being with each client for hours means that they are able to be there long enough to have a led conversation to outline any issues that the client may be experiencing.
All drivers are fully trained in their role, and as the same two or three drivers tend to do each route they get to know their clients, enabling them to recognise any changes in behaviour and raise any concerns either with the team in the office or family, depending on the concern in question. Therefore the charity are also able to signpost clients to other services and support that may be available to them.
During the visit the driver will deliver a meal that is hot, ready to eat and has been designed especially for older people. It can be plated and served wherever the client wishes to eat and if required larger items can even be cut up.
This Age UK Wiltshire service is about providing families who often live several hours away with peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are not only getting a hot nutritious meal, but that someone is also checking in and making sure that they are safe and well. For many of the elderly clients the driver may be the only person they see or interact with that day, and this helps support a main aim of Age UK Wiltshire which is to help older people remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.
This service is a ‘364 day a year’ operation, Christmas Day being the only day off. Costs are kept to an acceptable and manageable a level as possible, some elderly clients may organise this themselves but for many it will be family, friends or neighbours to contact Age UK Wiltshire and set the regular service up. Meals are two courses and for the meal and Wellbeing Check the charity asks that the service is regular, and for a minimum of three days every week.
As a bit of background, what does Age UK Wiltshire set out to do? Age UK Wiltshire is the local arm of the national Age UK charity. It operates locally, for the Wiltshire area community, supporting older people, their families and carers. Age UK Wiltshire are here to inspire, support and enable older people, helping them stay safe, make informed choices and be independent yet connected. They promote the wellbeing of all older people and work to make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, recognising that everyone is an individual which is reflected in the diversity of all activities carried out.
To find out more or to book the service, for yourself of a member of the family or friend, click here visit the Age UK website, or call directly on 01793 279606, or click here to e-mail the ‘Welbeiing Checks With Meals service.
Richard Pikesley exhibition at The Little Gallery
