Adult and Community Services

Home Meals Service

Who can receive the Home Meals Service?

A resident of the borough who, through old age or disability, is unable to prepare a meal for themselves.

What are the meals like?

The meals are prepared and delivered by Fresh Community Meals on behalf of us. All meals meet nutritional and hygiene standards. There is a varied menu and we can meet individual preferences, special dietary needs and religious or cultural requirements.

How much do the meals cost?

Our customers are charged £3.10 per meal (until March 2009). The price is reviewed in March of each year. We can advise you about payment when you are assessed as needing the service.

When are meals delivered?

Meals are delivered between 11.30am - 2.30pm. We try to be flexible and meet customers preferred times. However we deliver approximately 400 meals a day and unfortunately cannot always deliver at the preferred time. The service is available everyday of the year.

Who delivers the meals?

All Fresh Community Meals delivery staff has identity cards, uniforms and drive clearly marked vans. If you have an entry-telephone a simple password may be agreed to provide additional security.

If a caller claims to be delivering a meal and a meal delivery is not expected, the customer should refuse to open the door and if possible contact the Adult Intake and Access Team.

How do I arrange to receive meals at home?

Please call or write to the Adult Intake and Access Team. Alternatively you may ask another person to get in touch on your behalf. Meals may also be arranged by council or health service staff, as part of an agreed care at home plan. If you wish to cancel a meal, please call the Adult Intake and Access Team.

More than a hot meal

The meals delivery staff are friendly and courteous. They will, if requested and necessary, help customers to cut or mash food. Anything that gives rise to concern, for example, a customer appearing unwell, may be reported to Adult and Community Services, where appropriate action can be taken.

If there is no answer to a scheduled delivery, Fresh Community Meals staff will try to find out the reason, but if there remains concern the emergency services will be called.

Improving the Home Meals Service

We believe that the Meals Service helps people by providing a healthy meal. However for some people the friendly caller at the door may be as important, or more so, than the actual meal. It may be that some people would prefer a different sort of meal or a tasty snack.

If you would like to comment on the service please call the Adult Intake and Access Team at the address shown. We welcome all views, complaints and compliments, as they help us to improve the service.

If you have a complaint

First of all speak to your delivery person who may be able to resolve the problem. If this is not appropriate, or if you remain dissatisfied please call the Adult Intake and Access Team.

If you wish to take your complaint further, please contact the Adult and Community Services Complaints Team.