A NEW scheme will be launched by Waverley Borough Council in January to save the Meals on Wheels service, which has been under threat following Surrey County Council’s decision to withdraw funding.

Meals on Wheels – operated by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) – has delivered hot meals and companionship to some of Waverley’s most isolated older people for more that 50 years.

Many feared earlier this year, that when the county council withdrew its matched £30,000 per annum funding citing “significant financial challenges” as a result of reductions in its government grant, it would effectively end five decades of providing the “lifeline” service in the borough.

Stepping into the breach, however, the borough council announced on Tuesday its new Waverley Community Meals Service would launch on January 16 and Haslemere’s Haslewey Community Centre will be one of three centres providing a “hot, freshly cooked and healthy meal with optional afternoon tea” five days a week.

WBC has pledged to continue its matched funding of £30,000, which will be split between the three centres, and continue to work with the RVS. But more volunteers will be needed to continue the service, if RVS team members decide to step down.

In a shake-up of the original Meals on Wheels service, which saw frozen meals delivered to Farnham’s Gostrey Centre for distribution to many different centres across the borough for delivery to clients, the meals will now be freshly cooked on the premises by just three centres, from January.

The other two centres operating the new service will be the Gostrey Centre and Rowleys Centre for the Community in Cranleigh.

Announcing the new year launch, a WBC spokesman said: “Earlier this year the council undertook a review of the existing Meals on Wheels service, which showed dissatisfaction with the quality of the meals, and falling numbers of clients.

“In response to the review, the council has worked with three community centres across the borough to develop and improve the service.

“The centres will provide a hot, freshly cooked and healthy meal with optional afternoon tea five days a week. Clients will be able to request frozen meals for weekends and bank holidays.”

Welcoming the initiative, councillor Jenny Else, portfolio holder for health and well-being, said:“By delivering the service across the borough, and with local volunteers, the most vulnerable and at risk recipients will have the opportunity to develop friendships and have additional support and practical help.

“The volunteers will also be in a position to encourage clients to be part of the community at the local centres and take advantage of other services available to them. If you would like to be involved in delivering this vital service and make a difference to the lives of people who live nearby, contact one of the community centres.”

Haslewey manager Kerry Morren-Jeffs described the new scheme as an “exciting opportunity” for the community centre and has appealed for volunteers who would like to help make it a success to get in touch.

From January 16, Haslewey will be responsible for delivering meals cooked at the centre by its chef to clients in Haslemere, Hindhead, Court, Thursley, Chiddingfold, Witley and Milford.

“We are very excited and see this as a positive opportunity,” she told The Herald. “Hopefully we can offer more diverse and flexible services. The quality of the meals, which will be freshly cooked by our chef, will be far superior.

“Waverley is providing the equipment we will need and we will supply the food, just as the RVS did.

“We hope we can also encourage people to use the service as something transitional, which they might need if they have just been discharged from hospital or are having respite care.

“This is all about improving the service, as Meals on Wheels is no more. We are very fortunate RVS volunteers will continue to help with the new service, but we will need more volunteers to deliver across the wider area we will now serve.

“Change is always hard and we would like to reassure clients they will still be greeted by a friendly face at the door and will be getting something they will enjoy eating.”

RVS may no longer administer the scheme, but it has pledged its continued support to a service that provides a lifeline to many isolated elderly people.

RVS South director Rebecca Kennelly said: “Royal Voluntary Service is working closely with Waverley Borough Council and a number of day centres in the area to shape the future of the Meals on Wheels Service in Waverley.

“The well-being of older people and giving them access to a meal remains our priority, and we’ll continue to work in partnership with Waverley Borough Council to achieve this.”

Volunteers should call Kerry on 01428 648716 or email: hasleway@hasle mere. com