Petition launched as funding for North Ayrshire Food Train is axed

An online petition has been launched to save a service which gets food to the elderly in North Ayrshire.

The Food Train has provided a vital, weekly grocery shopping and delivery service for the vulnerable older members of the community since September 2015.

Local volunteers provide weekly deliveries of fresh groceries to older people experiencing difficulties doing their weekly grocery shopping to ensure that they can eat well, live well and age well.

So far it has made more 7,000 deliveries of fresh food and meals making over 14,000 social contacts.

The Food Train currently receives around £75,000 in funding but as of April 1st 2018, it'll receive zero financial support.

Manager Stuart Miller says, "We're so stunned that this decision has been made by the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

"We understand that there are pressures on local Councils but this is a service which actually saves the partnership money.

"We're really disappointed and very concerned about what it means for those who rely on us.

"The worse case scenario is that our customers won't be able to get access to fresh food. it could mean that they would also have to spend a lot more money trying to get their grocery shopping.

"We don't want to give this up without a fight.

"Loads of people are behind us including local councillors, MPs and MSPs all in our corner.

"This is a critical service so we need everyone to get behind us."

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We are deeply saddened that it has not been possible to continue to fund some care projects and we fully understand Food Train’s disappointment with the decision.

“In North Ayrshire, like the rest of Scotland, the demand for health and social care services is continuing to increase while funding is diminishing.

“Food Train was one of a number of Integrated Care Fund projects in North Ayrshire funded via three-year programme from the Scottish Government which ends on 31 March 2018.

“Due to the severe financial constraints within health and social, the Integrated Care Fund Review Group – made up of senior representatives from North Ayrshire Council, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Third Sector and Independent Sectors – agreed that only projects which were considered financially sustainable should receive support going forward. Their funding recommendations were unanimously approved by the Integrated Joint Board.

“As a result, we are sadly unable to fund Food Train North Ayrshire after 31 March 2018.

“Service users should be reassured that safe, high quality care and support is our first and highest priority. Discussions are ongoing with Food Train personnel to ensure that people who use our services are safe and receive the support appropriate for their needs."

More details about the petition can be found here.