A new service is ensuring vulnerable people in South Lanarkshire are not going hungry.
As part of its response to the coronavirus situation, the South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership has set up a Community Meals service, focusing on people who need help in preparing meals but do not need any other services from the Care at Home teams. The majority of these people are already receiving some form of support from Social Work services.
More than 80 members of staff from across the council and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture have volunteered and are working as drivers to deliver the well balanced and nutritional meals each day.
Four catering and distribution hubs have been set up and are operated by Facilities Services staff in Carluke High, Cathkin High, Calderglen High and Holy Cross.
Drivers are also on hand to check on the wellbeing of individuals each day and relay any concerns to the Care at Home service to follow up.
Raymond Devine, a Planning Technician based at Montrose House, has been volunteering as a driver. He said: “I wanted to get out and help and when I noticed they were looking for drivers I thought it was the ideal opportunity.
“You can tell the people we are delivering to really appreciate it and even after just a couple of days of doing this I have built up a good rapport with them.”
Brenda Lawson from Hamilton is one of the service users who receives a meal each day. She said: “I can’t thank the drivers and the team behind this enough – it has really lifted my spirits.
“It’s impossible to put into words how grateful I am, I can’t begin to explain how much this means to me. It’s something to look forward to each day.
“The meals are lovely and it’s great to get proper hot food which tastes as though it has been home-cooked.”
Co-ordinating the efforts for the Clydesdale area are volunteers Jane McCann and Clare Burns, with the base at Carluke High School.
Jane, who is an Arts Development Officer, said: “We have two teams of drivers working alternate shifts, and we make sure the same drivers are going to the same people as much as possible. If there are any issues the drivers let us know and we then follow that up to make sure they are taken care of.”
Clare, a Swimming Development Officer based at Carluke Leisure Centre, said: “It’s been brilliant to see so many people from across all areas of the council and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture who have put their hands up and volunteered for this.
“Sometimes the driver might be the only contact that the elderly person has that day, so it’s a really valuable service and one we are all delighted to be involved with.”
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Social Work Resources Committee, Councillor John Bradley, said: “I cannot praise those staff who have volunteered for this role highly enough – they are literally saving lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society by delivering these meals.
“We are aware that the current situation we find ourselves in is having a huge impact on everyone, and in particular those people who rely on us for extra support.
“I am sure they would join me in saying a huge thank you to these volunteers – they truly are heroes.”
Director, Health and Social Care, Val de Souza, said: “It’s fantastic to see staff from across all resources responding to the need we have for volunteers.
“This type of work is something that really matters to those who are receiving the meals, and I am delighted at the very positive feedback we have had so far.”
Visits take place over lunchtime and include the delivery of a hot two-course meal, the delivery of a sandwich and cold dessert that can be eaten at tea-time and a wellbeing check and reporting of any concerns to the locality team.
The new service is in addition to the work the council are doing in partnership with the Scottish Government and NHS on shielding.
Staff at South Lanarkshire Community Meals Service