Warm welcome for Mayor with meals - 13/11/06

 

Vale of Glamorgan Council Mayor Cllr Nic Hodges has taken to the road to highlight the importance of a service which is a lifeline to many elderly and vulnerable people across the county.

 

As part of National Meals on Wheels Week, Cllr Hodges helped with the delivery of meals from the Southway Residential Home at Cowbridge to clients in the rural Vale.

 

The Meals on Wheels service in the Vale is also run from Community Services day centres at Rondel House, Maesycwm Street, Barry, and Gardenhurst, Holmesdale Place, Penarth.

 

Speaking of his involvement in the "Mayors for Meals" event, Cllr Hodges said: “I was delighted to help promote the value of a service which is a lifeline to so many people and enables them to remain in their own homes.

 

"The visit with a meal and a smiling face is a major part of the lives of so many people who may otherwise have no human contact throughout the day.

 

"This is an excellent service and the volunteers deserve a really big pat on the back for the part they play."

 

Vale Catering staff organise and cook on average 600 hot, healthy and nutritional meals a week which are distributed as a seven-day service by a mixture of paid drivers, WRVS and volunteers. About 30 volunteers and the WRVS help on either a weekly or monthly basis.

 

Unit supervisor Teresa Wheeler said: "Drivers go out in all weathers and play a very important part in the lives of our clients. Clients, especially those in rural areas, really look forward to the visits.

 

“Volunteers really feel they are putting something worthwhile back into their community.”

 

During his support of the service, Cllr Hodges was given a warm welcome by Mrs Cynthia Legg in Llysworney and Mr and Mrs Rowland and Pauline Jenkins at Colwinston.

 

As part of the celebrations, the service also held a popular quiz for clients, with prizes for area winners.