Positive Feedback For New Community Meals Service
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Mrs Joan Wall, pictured here with Cllr Sharon Massey (left) and carer, Mandy Judd, prefers Bexley's new Community Meals service in comparison to the previous Meals on Wheels service.
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Bexley’s new Community Meals service is receiving positive feedback.
The old meals on wheels service was overhauled in February, giving customers
more choice over what they eat and when they eat it.
Under the new Community Meals system, clients are offered a varied selection
of frozen meals from a wide range of suppliers. Leaflets listing accredited
meal suppliers, together with step-by-step guidance on how to order meals,
have also been distributed to clients.
The frozen meals are delivered straight to the home. Those unable to heat
their own meals, due to illness or disability, are visited by a carer who heats
a meal for them.
Despite some being sceptical about the changes at the start, the new system
is now receiving praise.
One client, Mrs Joan Wall, who is registered blind, was previously featured
in local press expressing her concern about the changes.
Today she says: "The old service was good but I think the new one is
even better because I can choose at short notice what I want to eat. The carer
is very pleasant and she sits and chats with me whilst the meal is being heated.
When its ready, she tells me where the food is on the plate. This is really
helpful as I then know what I am putting in my mouth and I enjoy my meal more."
Mrs Winifred Hayward, who has arthritis and walks with a zimmer frame, is
also happy with the new service. She said: "The previous meals were good
but I got fed up with mince. Now the meal comes to me much hotter, straight
from the microwave to my table - and I have a selection to choose from in the
freezer."
Cllr Sharon Massey, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said:
"I’m
really pleased that customers in Bexley are finding the new meals service an
improvement. Sometimes change can be unsettling, but the modernisation of this
service has meant that people have more choice and control over their meals,
and that has got to be good!"
