THE provision of Meals on Wheels is being reviewed in the county.

The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) provides the meals to older people in the community and charge £5 per meal.

But the service is now being reviewed over concerns about sustaining the same level of service. A decision is imminent.

Sam Ward, director of commissioned services for RVS, said: “RVS has a long history of providing Meals on Wheels in communities across Britain.

"However, over the past 15 years the trend has been for many local councils to withdraw their funding of this service due to their own budget constraints.

"In other cases councils have moved to a commercial provider. With so few services now left, it has become harder for the charity to sustain those remaining individual services since much of the infrastructure we used to rely on to support Meals on Wheels has depleted.

"What we don’t want to do is let anyone down which is why we have come to the difficult decision to review the service in Herefordshire. The wellbeing of older people is our priority and whatever the outcome of the review, we will work to ensure the older people we currently deliver meals to are properly safeguarded and protected.”

Herefordshire Council does not provide a community meals service.

Cllr Paul Rone, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are not involved in the provision of Meals on Wheels services but they can be of great value to the community and we hope the RVS can continue their support of elderly and vulnerable people.

“Domiciliary care visits may be available for people who are unable to prepare their own meals, and we would also encourage family members to share mealtimes with vulnerable relatives as often as they can.

“Though not possible for all, we would also encourage people to go out if they possibly can, whether with family members, friends, or accessing the many community lunch services offered by local businesses and groups. The exercise and interaction that comes with going out benefits the community and also helps to combat loneliness and isolation, promoting continued health and wellbeing.”

There are a number of community meal and lunch clubs throughout the county. To find out more go to herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200207/family_support/634/help_at_home/3