The East Brighton Food Cooperative have started an online petition to make local authorities have Meals on Wheels as a statutory service.
As part of Meals on Wheels Week the EBFC went to the house of lords brilliant banner displaying the message Government Funding for Meals on Wheels NOW.
EBFC who has set up this petition has said
“It’s estimated that 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 in the UK are malnourished , that’s over 1 million older people . “
“Malnutrition can effect health & well being, increase hospital admissions & can lead to long term health problems for otherwise healthy & independent older people Increasing costs on adult social care and the NHS. “
“By providing fresh nutritious meals some social contact and welfare checks helps people to maintain their health enabling them to live at home for longer. Two thirds of meals & wheels services have disappeared in the last 5 years as a result of austerity & local authorities cutting their non – statutory services from their budgets. “
“Making meals on wheels a statutory provision would ensure that our most vulnerable would receive a daily nutritious meal ensuring they are not left to needlessly die of malnutrition .”
To sign the petition click https://www.change.org/p/government-funding-for-meals-on-wheels-now?redirect=false
More more information on the East Brighton Food Cooperative adn the great work they do in the community go to https://www.eastbrightonfoodcoop.uk/