It’s a simple concept – delivering a daily meal to those who can’t cook for themselves – but the knock-on effect is immense.
COPE Galway’s Community Catering Meals on Wheels has been delivering nutritious meals to those who are unable to cook for themselves for over 40 years in Galway.
Ann – not her real name – first started using the Community Catering service when her husband, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was ill.
It became a routine for the couple – a tasty, nutritious healthy meal a few times a week, and a much-needed break for Ann, who had been caring for her husband for some years before he passed away.
Having taken ill recently herself, Ann has been using the service again, and says she is so grateful to have such a service, literally on her doorstep.
“I’ve always thought it was a fantastic service – the food is of excellent quality, and so tasty. Because I’ve been ill, I’m not able to cook now and it is fantastic to get that meal.
“You get dinner and soup, which you could then have in the evening with a sandwich. It’s a lovely meal, and you’re getting all your nutrients. Six euro for a complete dinner is nothing, really,” she says.
While Ann still has family living close by, she lives on her own and says she always looks forward to seeing the COPE Galway volunteer arriving at the door.
“The staff are so pleasant and nice. Fiona, who delivers my food, is so lovely. Any time she calls, she’s so respectful and so kind.”
COPE Galway’s Community Catering is much more than just a meal delivery service. All of COPE Galway’s committed volunteers ensure that they make contact with clients when dropping off their meal, even if it’s just a quick ‘hello’.
The volunteer will often be the first to notice any changes in a person’s wellbeing and can let COPE Galway know if they’re concerned.
So apart from satisfying the practical and nutritional needs of the client, there’s also the social and well-being element.
According to its 2015 Annual Report, COPE Galway worked with 565 older people in need of nutritional and social supports.
In 2015, COPE Galway produced and delivered over 55,000 meals to 401 older people through its Meals on Wheels service and catered for over 80 people weekly across seven Lunch Clubs in Galway City.
In addition, the COPE Galway Community Support Service and Sonas Day Centre supported 84 people over the course of the year.
Joseph – again not his real name – has been volunteering for COPE Galway for 35 years delivering meals, but he has also begun using the Community Catering service in recent months.
“My wife has Alzheimer’s and my daughter said, ‘Why don’t you start using the Community Catering service for you both?’.
“It can be such a pain trying to plan meals and trying to think of something different every day. Then, by the time you’re finished with everything else, it’s dinner time and you don’t have anything cooked!
“So, every Monday, my wife and I get two meals. Sometimes, we nearly get two dinners out of one,” he says.
Joseph sees the voluntary work he does as, not only providing an excellent food service, but also offering a social connection to those who might not see anyone else that day.
“It’s happened over the course of the years that someone has been ill. If we don’t get an answer, we automatically call COPE Galway, and they call the person’s next of kin.
“There are some people who are bedridden, and so we go in, drop off the meal, and if there’s some little problem, you might be able sort it out and get something done about it.
“I bring a paper to one man every week and we have a great chat about the football. When you’re calling every week, you get to know them. You’re a lifeline to some people.
“Others are just happy for you to deliver the meal, say ‘hello’ and leave, and that’s fine – everyone’s entitled to their privacy. For others, it’s contact. I’m personally happy to do it.
“I believe if we’re lucky enough to enjoy health, we should give something back. It’s fulfilling and you make friends on the route as well,” he adds.
COPE Galway recently launched its Pre-Budget Submission, in which it is calling on Government to make additional funds available for Meals on Wheels so that a greater number of people across County Galway can benefit from the service, where none currently exists, and so remain living independently in their own homes.
But this week the charity is also running a new initiative – as part of this week’s Positive Ageing Week – which will also help bring meals to older people.
“€1 More Brings a Meal to the Door” will run in a number of hotels and restaurants across Galway.
The aim is to raise money by offering an option to add €1 to the price of their meal to support COPE Galway Community Catering Meals on Wheels for older people.
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