Join our Meals on Wheels Campaign!

By Joy Harris

In the news

18 May 2010 10:01

Is a daily hot meal for pensioners in need too much to ask? Have your say NOW

Since Yours magazine exposed the scandal of disappearing Meals on Wheels services around the country, we’ve been inundated with letters and emails — and now fear the situation could be even worse than we thought.
A nourishing hot meal is little to ask at a time when people are living longer and the government claims it wants to keep more of us in our own homes. But our special report (issue 85) made shocking reading. We highlighted the case of a blind lady expected to use a microwave oven or pay a carer £9.25 to turn it on for her and a council which ludicrously suggested those in need get takeaways f rom fast food shops.
Letters have flooded in from people who remember the good old days of the WRVS, and are worried that ending this service not only deprives people of nourishment, but of a friendly face and early warning system when emergencies crop up.
Yours believes this scandal must be turned around and we need your help - fill in the form below, cut it out and send it to us, with a personal letter if you wish. We’ll be demanding a meeting the Minister who is responsible.



Here’s what you said........
‘If the blind lady was in prison, she’d be entitled to three free meals a day and no £9.25 to switch on her oven. Her treatment is a disgrace to civilised society.’
Isobel Sisson, by email

‘Our local paper published a picture of a 92-year-old man crying beside a microwave  oven he could not understand.’
Helen Noble, Whitton, Middlesex

‘I rely on these meals for my 90-year-old mother with dementia, who is not safe to cook.’
Eleanor Waldock, Walkern, Herts

‘This country should be ashamed.’
Mr and Mrs L J Natt, Northampton

‘Meals on Wheels was run by the WRVS until our council decided that wasn’t good enough and took it over. Now they say it costs too much to run.’
G L Petchey, Dagenham, Essex

‘Our Meals on Wheels manager in the 70s instilled into us that we were a monitoring service and befrienders too. We were always to get an answer, find a local keyholder or call the police (I often climbed through windows). I hate to think what she would think of today’s system of throwing it in the door and running.’
Jill Cain, Romford, Essex

‘How can you say you want to encourage people to stay in their homes and then take away this vital lifeline?’
Jean W Grainger, Watford, Herts

‘When I was with the WRVS, it wasn’t just delivering the meal: I shopped, opened tricky jars and even called the doctor. Sometimes I was the only person they saw.’
Rita Wood, Crowborough, Susssex

‘Why do we manufacture wonder drugs to help people live to be 100 but fail to look after them when they become frail?’
Edna Lydiate, Leyland, Lancs



Now have your say

Help us bring pressure on the government to take action. Please email us your name and support our campaign. We will forward all replies we receive.