Mayor on wheels

The Mayor will be serving up dinner between 11.45am and 12.30pm for some residents in Borehamwood, as part of Mayor for Meals day on Wednesday 8 November.

Mayor Councillor Martin Heywood and Cllr Derrick Gunasekera, portfolio holder for Culture, will be helping to deliver meals to elderly residents of Fountain Court, Brook Road, a Ridgehill Housing Association home for elderly people who are too frail to live alone, but not ready to live in a residential home. The meals will be delivered by the Mayor to highlight the excellent work of the Community Meals scheme in Hertsmere.

The event is part of a national campaign, which takes place between Monday 6 November and Friday 12 November in association with the National Association of Care Caterers.

Mayor Cllr Martin Heywood, said: “I am more than happy to get involved and support the Meals on Wheels scheme. It is a pleasure delivering meals to the residents of Fountain Court and hearing how the scheme helps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those residents who receive meals.

"Through ‘Mayors for Meals’ I hope to raise awareness of the Community Meals service and the vital role it plays in ensuring elderly customers of the service maintain a well balanced diet and a daily check on their wellbeing.”

During the Mayor’s visit, there will be a taster session for other residents to try the food delivered through the Community Meals service.

Residents have a hot main meal and dessert delivered lunch time, Monday to Friday. Aside from their regular meals, Community Meals can also provide vegetarian, ethnic and kosher alternatives, as well as the options for low fat, diabetic, and other dietary needs. Although the service is subsidised by Hertsmere Borough Council, a charge is made for each meal.

Cllr Derrick Gunasekera, portfolio for Culture, said: "I am delighted to be able to support national Meals on Wheels week, as I believe Hertsmere's community meals provide a vital service on which many frail residents depend. Not only does the service supply nourishing food to help people keep healthy, but it also brings valuable human contact to people who can often lead a lonely life."

For those residents who have difficulty shopping but can manage to reheat meals, the Community Meals service also provides a frozen service, whereby resident’s can receive frozen meals in bulk, which gives them the option of eating the meal when they would prefer. If residents do not have the appropriate equipment, for example a freezer, arrangements can be made to have equipment on loan.

Hertsmere Borough Council, in partnership with Fresh CM, delivers hot, nutritious meals to an average of 120 people every weekday. Those who receive Community Meals are normally aged over 60 and are unable to shop for food or prepare and cook meals for themselves because they are frail, confused, or housebound, have a mental or physical disability, or they are unable to safely cook their own meals.

Residents interested in having either the hot or frozen service can contact Hertsmere Community Services on 020 8207 7568, email community.services@hertsmere.gov.uk  or download the Referral Form.