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Volunteering With Meals on Wheels

By: Lynne Conner - Updated: 30 Jan 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
Community Volunteer Meals On Wheels

A great way to get involved with your local community and support vulnerable members is to volunteer to help with meals on wheels. This service provides healthy meals for those who may not otherwise enjoy a properly cooked meal. You can volunteer for just a couple of hours a week or for longer if you wish. You will join a team that is supporting the elderly and others in your local community.

Who can volunteer?

Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer to help out with the service. Contact your local authority or Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) as these are the main providers of meals on wheels services. If you have a driving licence you will be especially welcome as drivers are in particular demand. A vehicle may be provided but it is more usual for you to use your own vehicle.

Who uses the service?

Another valuable asset could be cookery skills but it is most important that you are calm, patient and able to get along with a wide range of people. In addition to the elderly other users of meals on wheels services include disabled people, people with learning difficulties and people in recovery from accidents or hospital treatment. You will gain the satisfaction of making a difference to their day by providing them with a nutritious meal. You may also be their only visitor that day and so can provide companionship as well which may be every bit as much valued as the food.

How does the service work?

Food is usually prepared at a central point and you will go there to collect it. This may be a local school or similar public establishment. Meals may be hot or frozen for those who are able to warm meals up. Individuals will have signed agreements with their local authority or other service provider and this will cover how often they receive a meal and whether the meal is heated or frozen. In many cases hot meals are only provided for those who are housebound and unable to operate an oven to heat a meal for themselves.

In most cases there is a nominal charge for the meals and part of your role as a volunteer could be to collect such payments. Meals cater for a wide variety of tastes and dietary requirements and there will usually be options including gluten-free, vegetarian and halal or other options to meet specific religious requirements.

Is there more to the role?

As you are dealing with some of your community’s most vulnerable members an important part of your role will be to pass the time of day with each client and to listen to see whether they have any personal worries or concerns. If you take on the role regularly then you will develop a relationship with the people you visit. This could be one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering with meals on wheels.

Deliveries may vary from two or three times a week to seven days a week depending on availability and need. You should be able to volunteer for as many or as few days as is convenient provided you can commit to a regular time slot. With such a vital service it is important to be reliable to ensure that vulnerable members of community receive the nutrition they need.

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Hi. I have a full driving licence and am available to deliver meals on wheels Monday to Friday during the week.
Steph - 30-Jan-24 @ 8:38 PM
Hi, I live in colerne, I’m work a lot in Bristol but sometimes I have time off during the week, I would be happy to work in the kitchen to prepare the meals or deliver the meals after, please let me know if I can help. Many thanks John
Jt - 12-Jan-24 @ 8:15 PM
Hi Lynne. I'm researching schools kitchens used as a community resource, such as for meals on wheels which you mention in your piece. Really grateful if you would get in touch with me. Thanks
Adrian - 1-Dec-23 @ 10:58 AM
Hi I'm currently a nhs worker wanting to volunteer my services for food delivery's and meals around Christmas time and the big day itself. Areas available to deliver would be Dewsbury Batley Heckmondwike Liversedge Cleakheaton Ossett Horbury Earsheaton areas
Yaz - 29-Nov-23 @ 1:33 PM
Done MOW before. Full driving licence and DBS. Chef atm too. Bexhill area
Manders - 14-Jul-23 @ 3:34 PM
Hi, I work for an organisation that helps people who are out of work get volunteer roles so they can prepare to return to paid work.My client has shown an interest in volunteering for Meals and Wheels and is located near Stoke-on-Trent/Newcastle-under-Lyme.I would be grateful if someone could get back to me to discuss how he goes about applying for a volunteer role.Thank you in advance.
N - 4-Apr-23 @ 11:13 AM
I am a care worker and would love to help and deliver meals or help in other ways on my days off
Wilsa - 2-Feb-23 @ 10:39 PM
I have a big car and wish to volunteer to deliver meals on my days off I am a care worker and respect the work you do..
Wilsa - 2-Feb-23 @ 10:37 PM
Would like to give little time to do mea ls on wheels for the community
Carla - 2-Feb-23 @ 9:33 PM
Hi I would like to help deliver meals or drop shopping few hours a week , around the Romsey area
Chris - 2-Feb-23 @ 9:23 PM
Just retired from nhs looking to delivery meals on wheels who do l contact. Thanks
Chris - 2-Feb-23 @ 10:49 AM
Are there volunteer openings for delivering food in the Cookham, Maidenhead, Bourne End, Burnham, Marloe areas?
Trish - 18-Jan-23 @ 5:39 PM
I would like to volunteer I wish to help where I can and assist you.please provide visa .
Job - 18-Jan-23 @ 11:40 AM
I would like to know how to volunteer to deliver meals on wheels in the Dewsbury West Yorkshire area.
Kath - 9-Jan-23 @ 2:52 PM
I am interested in volunteering with meals on wheels. I am happy to deliver or help with food preparation. I do work so I’m limited to the hours I can help.
Shazza - 27-Dec-22 @ 7:24 PM
I can help deliver meals I Rainham Essex are if needed. Thanks. Mark.
Mark - 24-Dec-22 @ 5:48 PM
Hi I can help deliver meals in the Rainham, Essex area if needed. Thanks. Mark
Mark - 24-Dec-22 @ 5:47 PM
I would like to volunteer to deliver meals on wheels Christmas Day if needed I live in Flitwick
Maz - 24-Dec-22 @ 12:02 AM
I would like to volunteer for delivering meals on wheels in Belper and surrounding areas can do Xmas day if that helps . Thank you ??
Tim - 23-Dec-22 @ 7:34 AM
I would like to volunteer as a driver doing meals on wheels in Borehamwood. My number is 07947704972. Thanks
Rick - 16-Dec-22 @ 7:39 AM
I would like to volunteer for the preparation of food for meals on wheels in Gravesend. I may be able to deliver also. Please contact me by email, I look forward to hearing from you, thank you.
J - 13-Dec-22 @ 4:49 PM
I would like to volunteer as a driver doing meals on wheels in Darlington. My number is 07474016535. Thanks
Abbe - 20-Oct-22 @ 1:38 PM
I wish to help where I can and assist you.
Tigue - 19-Oct-22 @ 10:28 PM
I would like to volunteer, what is the procedure?
H - 21-Jul-22 @ 9:35 PM
I would like to volunteer I can be contacted via my email address
Jeff - 21-Jul-22 @ 9:05 PM
I would like to volunteer
Jeff - 21-Jul-22 @ 9:03 PM
I have seen the meals on wheels series with si and dave, and I find what they have done is just fantastic. I live in the chatham area in kent and I would love to volunteer to help in any way, be it preparing or delivering, I would like to help the more vulnerable ones out there. Please contact me on 07955000436. Thank you.
Jase - 19-Jul-22 @ 8:27 PM
I would like to volunteer for the meals on wheels service asdriver, in the Uxbridge, hillingdon, hayes area.
Anil - 18-Jul-22 @ 8:17 PM
I would love to volunteer for a some hours per week! Either on delivery or preparing food! I am not a Chef!! But I am taught by a Chef! 07751 993617. Thank You Miss Taylor
Robbie - 18-Jul-22 @ 3:38 PM
I can drive I’m in my late 60s still a lot of life in me yet , would love to volunteer in delivering meals
Don’t have one - 31-May-22 @ 9:35 AM
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