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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, LancsNow have your sayHelp 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.
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Micheljasi14 says
RE: Join our Meals on Wheels Campaign!
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! Payday Loans Online
18 June 2011 04:19
davesteve12 says
I agree with you. You have given to us with such an large collection of information. Great work you have done by sharing them to all simply superb. Dave @ Cheap Van Insurance
27 May 2011 16:51
kaz8437 says
I have friends and relatives that rely on Meals on wheels and always enjoyed a good service. I dread to think what will happen to them and maybe be us at some later stage if all this changes ! My Uncle cannot walk and his carers make his food, well microwave it for him. With meals on wheels there was always a freindly face, a kind word or two and his meal placed on a tray for him. I have heard of new meal providers practically throwing meals from the door ! I`m dreading having to use this service in the future. BRING BACK W.R.V.S
22 May 2010 12:35
SPIRITCLUB says
My husband's 93 year old Mother has meals on wheels because she has lost the use of her left hand, it would be dangerous for her to get her own main meal. It is good that she has someone going to her house everyday so if anything is wrong they can get in touch with the emergency services. It would be awful if her meals on wheels were stopped as she can't cook for herself. I hasten to add she does not want to go into a home and she is not realy ill enough to leave her home. From Christine Godfrey
My husband's 93 year old Mother has meals on wheels because she has lost the use of her left hand, it would be dangerous for her to get her own main meal. It is good that she has someone going to her house everyday so if anything is wrong they can get in touch with the emergency services. It would be awful if her meals on wheels were stopped as she can't cook for herself. I hasten to add she does not want to go into a home and she is not realy ill enough to leave her home.
From Christine Godfrey
20 May 2010 07:22
susanbanks says
Regarding your item 'meals on wheels'. I live in Worcestershire and have an 85 year old mother who is attended daily by 4, yes 4, carers per day who along with every day to day general living tasks, make her a hot meal at least once a day. I could not cope without this wonderful NHS service and thank God for these tireless, thoughtful people. It's not all bad out there and our health service is the envy of the world. Come on, be positive......big Britain up not knock it down. I'm tired of whingeing, whining people who want the 'good old days ' back. Good old days??? think dentists!!
19 May 2010 20:19
