Can you help deliver hot meals to vulnerable people?

A charity that delivers hot meals to older people has issued a plea for more volunteers during the lockdown.

Harrogate and Ripon Foods Angels needs extra help because of rising demand for its services and a reduction in volunteers due to shielding.

The food angels prepare and deliver about 120 meals daily for vulnerable people in Harrogate and Ripon.

Today’s plea is not only for individual volunteers but also for businesses: for instance, two staff at Harrogate firm Slingsby Gin help every Thursday.

The service not only provides meals but also helps reduce isolation among vulnerable people during the pandemic.

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Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, which oversees the food angels, said it expected demand for meals to increase in the weeks ahead and any help would be appreciated. She added:

“New shielding guidelines have forced regular and willing volunteers to take a step down, which has left a big gap in the number of people we need to deliver the meals each day.

“We are asking those individuals or local businesses who can spare some time to please do so, so that we can continue to provide the much-needed service into the community.

Volunteers follow government guidelines and protocol, including wearing PPE.

For more information on volunteering visit here or call 01423 888777.

Harrogate charity launches UK’s first meals on wheels loyalty scheme

A Harrogate not-for-profit organisation is launching the UK’s first meals on wheel loyalty scheme to bring the service into the 21st century.

Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels has been providing meals on wheels since 2012.

A total of 120 people are signed up to receive the daily and weekly meals. A main meal costs £5.20 and £6.40 with a dessert.

Under the loyalty scheme, beginning on January 4, anyone buying 20 meals will receive a free teatime treat.

The treat options include a sandwich, soup and crisps, a slice of cake and a pack of tea bags.

Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels is part of Harrogate Neighbours, a charity that provides services for older people.

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said:

“More and more people are having to shield and isolate and perhaps wouldn’t think that a regular hot meal delivery service of this kind is right for them, but we hope that by re-branding it and bringing the service into the 21st century we can appeal to more people in need of this vital service.”

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Harrogate Neighbours has received a number of awards for its meals on wheels service.

The charity aims to improve the lives of older people in Harrogate. Besides delivering meals, it offers a domiciliary service to prevent isolation.

It also operates two sites; Heath Lodge, a residential care home and The Cuttings, an extra care housing scheme.

To inquire about volunteering, click here.

Christmas meals for older people in Harrogate district

About 85 meals will be delivered to the doors of older and vulnerable people in the Harrogate district on Christmas Day.

Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels has been providing meals since 2012 but this is the first time it is providing the service on December 25.

Staff and volunteers dressed festively will cook, pack and deliver a traditional Christmas dinner, Christmas pudding, mince pie and a cracker for those in need of a meal and some cheer.

Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels is part of Harrogate Neighbours, a charity that cares for older people.

It cooks 100 to 150 meals daily at its Starbeck base for beneficiaries, whose needs have been assessed.

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In previous years, the food angels have delivered double their daily quota of meals on Christmas Eve to prepare people for Christmas Day.

But Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, told the Stray Ferret this year’s long Christmas bank holiday weekend meant some people would be alone for long periods, hence the decision to venture out on the 25th.

She added:

“Our priority is to tackle social isolation and to support those most in need in our community all year around, but particularly on special occasions.

“When we received the requests for our meals on wheels service to run on Christmas Day, we quickly reached out to some volunteers who agreed without hesitation to deliver meals on the day.

“We’re incredibly lucky to have such dedicated and supportive volunteers and we look forward to feeding the community and spreading some Christmas joy to those who may be on their own for the first time this Christmas.”

To volunteer to deliver meals, or to support Harrogate Neighbours through donating, fundraising, sponsoring an event or to join the team, visit www.hnha.co.uk or call 01423 888777.

Harrogate Neighbours launches scheme to care for carers

A local care organisation has started an initiative to support staff who have endured months of hard work and pressure during the pandemic.

Harrogate Neighbours’ Care for Carers scheme will provide regular wellbeing workshops and other support to its care staff.

The initiative aims to address any anxieties or mental health issues brought about by the pandemic.

The group works with elderly people in Harrogate, offering fresh meals and social interaction while trying to keep them in their own homes.

As winter sets in, there are concerns that groups like Harrogate Neighbours will have more pressure on services.

JK Change Work, a local therapeutic coaching company, will provide the workshops. It says the sessions will offer support and emotional coaching, improve wellbeing resilience and teach people how to deal with ongoing challenges.

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours said:

“With restrictions and guidelines changing almost daily, care staff across the country are feeling the pressure and often find it hard to cope day to day. It’s more important than ever that we support and look after their mental and physical wellbeing.

“We also have plans to reach out to the wider care community in Yorkshire to care for all carers who are sacrificing so much in these uncertain times.”

The first session was held last week. Staff were in bubbled in groups of six for a happiness and laughter session.

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Harrogate Neighbours praised for covid response

Harrogate Neighbours, which cares for the vulnerable, has maintained its ‘Customer Service Excellence’ accreditation and been praised for its response to the coronavirus pandemic.   

Harrogate Neighbours was formed by town residents about 50 years ago. The non-profit group provides accommodation for the elderly, supports private homes and delivers meals to the community. 

It is responsible for Heath Lodge on Pannal Ash Road and the Cuttings on Station View. 

An external body assessed Harrogate Neighbours in its customer insight, culture, information and access, delivery, timeliness and quality of service.  

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The housing association maintained its accreditation and was praised in its response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is one of the only care groups in the area to have reported no coronavirus cases.  

Commenting on the certification, Sue Cawthray, CEO at Harrogate Neighbours, said: 

“I am so proud of the hard work and dedication shown by everyone at Harrogate Neighbours – particularly in the face of the worst pandemic we have ever had to deal with.” 

The ‘Customer Service Excellence’ standard was introduced by the Cabinet Office in 2008. It welcomes all types of organisation and encourages a focus on customer needs. 

Starbeck residents mark National Allotment Week in lockdown garden

The Cuttings near Starbeck is celebrating its hard work this National Allotment Week on a fruit and vegetable patch built at the start of lockdown.

Since March, the elderly community in Starbeck has been growing produce to be used in charitable meals. Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels provide a meals on wheels delivery service to over 100 people living alone.

Margaret Mitchell, 85, has spent most of her time in the allotment since coronavirus began.

Margaret said:

“I’ve always enjoyed gardening so it has been a pleasure to help and watch the fruit and vegetables grow. Being in lockdown has had its downsides but having the opportunity to be outdoors and grow our own produce has been wonderful. I am looking forward to trying the fruits of our labour.”

Both the The Cuttings and Food Angels scheme are run by Harrogate Neighbours Housing Association.

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Sue Cawthray, CEO at Harrogate Neighbours, considers the green-fingered initiative a sustainable success. She said:

“There are many challenges of lockdown for those who are vulnerable, or shielding, so the allotment was started to encourage tenants to spend more time outdoors. There is lots of evidence to suggest that nature, being outdoors and watching things grow has a significant positive impact on mental health. We’re fortunate to have a dedicated space in the garden of The Cuttings where tenants have enjoyed planting and watching fresh produce grow.”

Ms Cawthray said that the allotment even has beehives. As the organisation’s own personal beekeeper, she showed the tenants how to remove honeycomb safely and put it into jars.

She said:

“It was a most enjoyable afternoon in the sunshine and everyone got a chance to taste our very own Harrogate Neighbours honey!”

National Allotment Week was founded by The National Allotment Society in 2002. The theme for 2020 is “growing food for health and wellbeing”.

Royal secret revealed as Harrogate volunteers arrive for work

Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels were shocked and delighted to hear about their royal recognition as they arrived to deliver today’s hot meal service.

The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a voluntary group can be given.

As well as receiving a crystal award and a signed certificate from the Queen, two volunteers will be chosen  out of a hat to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021.

Sue Cathwray (Right) joined by award winning volunteers.

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A champagne celebration was arranged, typically though they put other people first, and postponed cracking open a bottle until they have made their lunch deliveries.

Instead, when asked how they might celebrate their success, Mr Clarkson said,

“I’ll tell my kids, they are very proud of me doing this, they like the fact that I’m helping out. It’s a warm day so I might have a beer later in the garden.”

Sue Cawthray the CEO of Harrogate Neighbours was excited to reveal the big secret and looks forward to celebrating properly when they are able.