HC-One Care Homes collaborates with NACC on Meals on Wheels week

HC-One care homes across the UK will be inviting local communities to join them for afternoon tea on ‘Friday Friends Day’, which will mark the culmination of the Meals on Wheels Week that is scheduled to take place from 30 October to 3 November 2023.

A county-wide event hosted by the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), Meals on Wheels week is designed to bring together health and social care sectors, caterers, service providers, food suppliers, volunteers, carers, older people, policy makers and the public to raise awareness about the importance of meals delivered into the community.

Commenting on the event, Mark Meacham, HC-One’s head of catering and housekeeping support services, says: “We are delighted to be taking part in the Friday Friends’ Day in partnership with the NACC and Meals on Wheels, as it’s all about bringing the community together, as well as highlighting the very important role that good nutrition and hydration play in the health of older people. The week provides a great opportunity to reinforce the real connection between our residents and homes, and their local communities and they are looking forward to welcoming everyone to join in with their afternoon tea celebrations.

"The week will also provide HC-One care homes with the opportunity to highlight the social, economic, psychological and preventative benefits of Meals on Wheels and community meals services in the UK, whether these are delivered to homes or via day centres and luncheon clubs, while also encouraging public support for local Meals on Wheels and community meals services and increasing awareness of the effects of loneliness and social isolation on the wellbeing of older and vulnerable people.

Each HC-One home has been working hard on its plans for the week, which range from colleagues and residents attending a virtual webinar hosted  by the Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) that will discuss the findings of the Meals on Wheels 2023 report, taking part in ‘Thank You Tuesday’ which will recognise those who contribute to Meals on Wheels services, ‘VIP on Wheels’ where local dignitaries will be invited to celebrate the service, a crossing borders ‘Meals on Wheels in Ireland’ virtual webinar that will facilitate the comparison of different models of delivering community meal services, plus a variety of other activities.

Neel Radia, Meals on Wheels lead for the NACC says: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with HC-One care homes for Meals on Wheels week. At a time when the underfunding of social care means that many Meals on Wheels and community lunch clubs are under serious threat of closure, it is heartwarming to see organisations like HC-One Care Homes opening their doors to older people living in their communities and we are very grateful for their support".  

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