A remarkable effort by team mhs colleagues is providing daily meals to dozens of vulnerable people across Medway during the coronavirus crisis.
We've committed tens of thousands of pounds to funding Age UK Medway ‘meals on wheels’ deliveries to some of our older customers who don’t have any other support network.
A number of our colleagues have been playing their part by telephoning customers to help put together a list of those who would most benefit from the scheme.
Supported Living Manager, Sue Rudd, explained: “We knew we had to move fast. We decided that we needed to act quickly to help our most vulnerable customers cope with self-isolation during the coronavirus crisis and we teamed up with Age UK Medway to deliver the first meals within days".
“By doing our bit in this way we're also helping to take the pressure off Medway Council’s emergency support hub and local food banks, which wouldn’t in any case be an option for many of the people we're helping.”
Chief Executive of mhs homes, Ash Hook said "it would support and protect older people living in our homes". We'll bear the full cost of the emergency support, and explained in a message to colleagues.
“These are exceptional times, and as a charitable housing provider it's entirely appropriate that we use our resources in this way.”
Age UK Medway’s Home Delivery Squad will take a hot two-course lunch and a snack pack for later in the day to everyone we nominate. Deliveries will be made every day, including weekends, initially for three weeks but, as Ash has explained, “longer if necessary”.
Our Supported Living Advisors talked to customers in our 16 sheltered schemes to create an initial list of those who were self-isolating and needed assistance. Colleagues then volunteered to telephone other customers, beginning with those over 90 before moving on to the over-eighties and those over 70. Sue Rudd explains further:
“About 20 colleagues volunteered to work through the lists, talk to customers and then put forward the names of vulnerable older people without a support network. I then give the list to Age UK Medway each day and they deliver the meals. I'm really very proud of the way we've come together to help in this way.”
John Norley, Chief Executive Officer of Age UK Medway, said the charity was “delighted to be working in partnership with mhs homes at such a critical time”.
“This is a time when charities and organisations need to come together to help support our most vulnerable people and it is fantastic that Age UK Medway is able to play a part in this amazing initiative.”
John said that the partnership had seen the home delivery service ramp up its operation from ten to 15 meals a day to 76 and rising.
If you’re an older vulnerable mhs homes customer without a support network, and would like to take advantage of the meals on wheels service, please get in touch on contactus@mhs.org.uk or call 01634 565 333.
Visit the Age UK Medway website to see how they're supporting the elderly during the coronavirus pandemic