St Albans pensioner among 1,700 receiving daily hot meals funded by the Council
Only 18% of councils in the East are still able to fund such a service
At a time when council finances are tight, we're hearing how Hertfordshire's funding of a valuable catering service for vulnerable adults can help cut costs further down the line.
Hertfordshire's Health and Independent Living Support (HILS) continues to deliver catered meals and essential social support to some of the county's most vulnerable residents.
Established in 2007, HILS provides the Meals on Wheels service to elderly people and others in need across Hertfordshire, Hampshire, and West Sussex.
Sarah Wren, Chief Executive of HILS, said: "Every day, we're taking out around 1,700 meals across the county.
"We're making sure that they feel cared for, making sure that they’re well-nourished, and really being that community around them."
The service, primarily catering to elderly residents, includes clients with additional needs, such as those with disabilities or living with addiction.
The average client is 87 years old, but the programme also serves people well into their hundreds.
One of the beneficiaries is 92-year-old Rosemary.
Receiving these meals five days a week has allowed her to remain independent, especially after recovering from a hip surgery that temporarily limited her mobility.
Rosemary described the programme as a lifeline, providing both nutritional support and regular social interaction.
She said: "I’m very grateful, and I’m very lucky that this can come Monday to Friday. It’s a hot meal, and it’s lovely.
"It’s reassuring, you know, knowing that someone is actually checking in, even if it’s just for a moment, just to see that I’m all right and if I ever needed something."
HILS also addresses specific dietary needs, providing options for vegetarians and those who follow kosher, halal, or other diets.
Ms Wren said: "We actually purchase these meals from specialist providers so that we know they’re completely safe and appropriate."
Feedback on the programme has been overwhelmingly positive.
In a recent annual survey, 97% of clients said the service is essential to their independence, while 87% reported that it helped them recover more easily from illness or difficult periods.
"It really does help people stay well," Wren added. "It helps them be better nourished, stay happier, and stay independent in their homes, which is what they want to do."
Hertfordshire County Council remains committed to supporting the programme, despite significant budget pressures.
The Council funds the delivery of more than 500,000 meals each year to help residents live independently and healthily in their homes.
Councillor Tony Kingsbury, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health, and Wellbeing, said: "Budgets are tight, but we’re really keen to keep committed to Meals on Wheels for our residents.
"It's to allow people to live healthy and happy lives in their own homes and and it's really important that we do that as a preventative measure because some of these people would could go into hospital, could go into care homes, could need more support than than if they are looked at every day.
"We're really keen to keep the Meals on Wheels for our residents and for prevention, because if we don't do that prevention work, it may be more cost down the line if they fall ill or go into hospital or care homes."