Meals on Wheels over the Christmas period

Cardiff Council's Meals on Wheels service will deliver to customers over the festive bank holidays for the first time.

Customers of the service can now enjoy a hot, nutritious meal delivered to their homes on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Elsmore, said: "I'm delighted that we have decided to offer the service on bank holidays over the Christmas period for the first time.

"Meals on Wheels is a fantastic service - so much more than taking food to our customers. It's about peace of mind for them and their families, providing social interaction for those who may otherwise go days without speaking to another person.

"At this time of year, perhaps more than at other times when it's dark and cold outside and older and vulnerable people in our communities are at the forefront of our concerns, Meals on Wheels provides invaluable support to our customers."

The Council has been delivering Meals on Wheels to vulnerable people across the city since 1978 and relaunched with fresh new brand earlier this year.

People can self-refer to the service or can be referred by family, friends, neighbours, or health or social care professionals. The service includes a social welfare check as well and our drivers have established a real rapport with the clients they meet.

Customers that meet one of the following criteria can receive the service:

• Having difficulty preparing a meal safely

• Liable to self-neglect or would eat an inappropriate diet without the service

• Unable to shop for food

• Have a mental or physical disability

• Needing support due to recovery from hospitalisation or illness; carer illness or holiday, or bereavement.

The affordable service caters for people of all ages, not just the elderly and customers can choose when and how often they would like to receive meals. A wide selection of meals, catering for a variety of diets, conditions and cultural choices are available for £3.90 a day for a main meal and £4.50 for a main meal and dessert.