A tasty service which helps hundreds of Swansea’s older residents and people with disabilities remain independent at home will be celebrated next week.
National Meals on Wheels Week 2010 takes place from Monday October 11 to Sunday October 17.
Around 600 residents tuck into Meals on Wheels in the city and county each week for a delicious dish aimed at keeping them happy and healthy.
Gavin and Stacey star Margaret John- who plays neighbour Doris- will be at Gorseinon Day Centre to serve up meals on Monday along with Swansea Lord Mayor Cllr Richard Lewis and the Lady Mayoress.
Cllr Nick Tregoning, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Social Services, said: “People tell us all the time that what they want out of their later years is to live as independently as possible at home for as long as possible and this service is one of the many ways we can enable that to happen.
“I hope the week’s celebrations of Meals on Wheels locally and nationally will draw attention to the importance of nutrition and how disabled or housebound people in Swansea can be helped to stay in their own homes.”
Meals on Wheels is one of the services provided by Swansea Council’s Social Services for people who need help to live at home independently.
Through the service 55,000 hot meals and 20,000 frozen meals are delivered each year to around 600 people by private company Apetito.
Of the 600 clients around half are more than 75-years-old and many are over 85-years-old.
Nationally around 40 million meals are served annually to around 20,000 people.
The meals consist of a main meal plus a dessert and people choose from a range of dishes. Special diets catered for include diabetic, low fat, fat reducing, high fibre, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, soft, puree, therapeutic, Kosher and Halal.
Popular meals include beef with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cabbage and carrots; chilli con carne and rice; chicken chausseur and rice with Mexican vegetables; chicken and vegetable casserole; shepherd’s pie; plaice and peas; macaroni cheese and vegetable lasagne.
Desserts include apple pie and custard, lemon sponge and custard, rice pudding and bread and butter pudding.
There is a small charge for community meals that currently stands at £2.70.
