A local charity that provides meals and care to older people has rebranded its core service, with a dose of heavenly inspiration.
Harrogate Neighbours provides older people with a daily hot meal, preventing social isolation and enabling them to stay in their own homes where possible.
To mark National Meals on Wheels Week (October 30 to November 3), the service is now known as ‘Harrogate Neighbours Meals on Wheels Delivered by Angels‘. It is run by 50 volunteers known as ‘angels’, who deliver over 150 meals every day.
Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said:
“Last year, we delivered meals by horse and carriage and the service-users loved it.
“We wanted to do something a little bit different this year, so we decided to deliver the meals on a vintage 1950s tractor by an angel, which evoked lovely memories for our clients.”
Demand for the service is growing, and the charity is calling for more volunteers to deliver even more meals.
New ‘angel’ Zac Evans said:
“It’s not about finding time – it’s making time to support the local community. Dressing up as an angel and delivering the meals by tractor was an amazing experience and something I certainly won’t forget!
“Being a volunteer and making the time makes a real difference to the service-users we get the chance to meet and have a chat with.”
‘Angel’ Zac Evans making a delivery.
Now in its 11th year, Harrogate Neighbours relies on support from local authorities, businesses and the wider community, and Sue said more government funding was needed to support older and vulnerable people, who without the volunteers who run the service would not receive a nutritionally balanced, hot daily meal. She said:
“The future of meals on wheels looks bleak unless the government can do more to support this much-needed service.
“We are supporting an ageing population, and the service is a lifeline for older and vulnerable people living in our community. We are calling for the government to ensure funding is available to local councils to safeguard the service now and in the future.”
In addition to the domiciliary care and hot meal service it provides, the charity also operates two sites: Heath Lodge Community Haven, a residential care home, and The Cuttings, an extra care housing scheme.
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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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- Killinghall care home resident turns 105 this week.
- Harrogate Neighbours launches scheme to take care of its own.
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.
Royal secret revealed as Harrogate volunteers arrive for workHarrogate 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.
Harrogate meals on wheels team awarded highest honour by QueenThe Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels are going to be cracking open the champagne later today after being granted the Queens Award for Voluntary Service 2020. It’s the highest award a volunteer group can be given.
The Food Angels, which was set up by Harrogate Neighbours, has provided hot meals for the most vulnerable people in Harrogate and Ripon since 2012.
The non-profit organisation of 75 volunteers have delivered over 150 hot meals every day to the elderly as well as to those unable to prepare meals for themselves.
The Harrogate and Ripon Angels will receive a crystal award, along with a signed certificate from the Queen. Two volunteers have also been invited to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021.
Sue Cawthray the CEO of Harrogate Neighbours, said:
“We’re delighted to have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. To be recognised to this degree is testament to our incredible volunteers who work tirelessly to deliver such an important service into our community…I am so thankful to the team at Harrogate Neighbours and the volunteers who continue to selflessly risk their lives to help others.”
The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is given to volunteer groups across the UK who have carried out outstanding work in their local community. The Harrogate and Ripon Food Angels were nominated by Sarah Barry, Managing Director at Stray FM.
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