WRVS fully behind new community befriending service
Last updated | 21/03/2008
The WRVS has underlined its continued commitment to work with Perth & Kinross Council on developing new and innovative high quality services for older people in the area.
The Council is working with the WRVS to investigate setting up a “befriending service” which would maintain and improve personal contact with older people in Perth and Kinross should new proposals for the Meals on Wheels service be adopted.
The befriending service would see WRVS volunteers maintain regular visits to older people who need contact and support if the Meals on Wheels service is changed. It could allow the WRVS to reach many more older people than it currently does.
Andrew Jackson, spokesman for WRVS Scotland, said: “The WRVS continues to enjoy a productive working relationship with Perth & Kinross Council and we are currently in discussion with them as to how we can jointly develop other high-quality services, such as befriending, for older people in this part of Scotland.
“These services have the potential to reach not only those people in receipt of Meals on Wheels but many more besides."
Perth & Kinross Council is in the process of developing and improving the current Meals on Wheels service. The service has gone out to tender and so will not be the remit of the WRVS anymore - which has raised some concerns among older people.
Councillor Peter Barrett, Convener of Housing and Health Committee, said he was keen to allay any fears people may have about the proposed changes.
“We are actively exploring with the WRVS a range of supports which can be put in place alongside the new meals service to ensure greater social contact for our elderly," he said.
“The new befriending service we are looking at in partnership with the WRVS shows that we are committed to looking at innovative ways to improve the lives of older people. The new service could allow the WRVS to reach a lot more people than they can at the moment. We would never abandon our older people in their own homes.
“We are drawing on the experience and lessons learned by the nine other local authorities in Scotland who have already moved to this new community meals service. In most cases people are well able to heat their meals for themselves. But assistance is provided with specially designed simple-to-operate microwaves, table top freezers and for those that need it help to get their meal ready. Full assessments will be carried out, and people will receive assistance if they require it. No-one will be left to struggle alone."
Vice Convener, Councillor Alasdair Wylie, said: “The community meals proposals are about providing more meals for more people and giving them more choice and support. It is about ensuring that residents in every part of Perth and Kinross can have a nutritious meal every day of the week and get all the help they need to enjoy it. In one other local authority areas that use the same system, 98% of residents who use the service say they are happy with it.
“We are fully committed to improving and developing the services we provide to older people, and this commitment is at the heart of this scheme.”
“I understand that change can often cause some concern, and I can give a categoric assurance that we will fully support all of out older residents throughout the process. I am sure that the proposals can improve lives – if I wasn’t confident of that the Council would not be considering these plans.”
