Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group (BWNG) launches a revamped Meals on Wheels service to the Gloucester and surrounding community.
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The first home delivery of the fresh, hot meals started on Monday, April 30.
The meals are being prepared in the newly established BWNG’s Blueprint Training Kitchen located on Britten Street in Gloucester.
One of the founders of the original Meals on Wheels program for Gloucester, Christine Bolton attended Blueprint Training Kitchen alongside BWNG’s Meals on Wheels coordinator, Kylie Galvin to handover the first hot meal for BWNG’s revamped service.
“On our first day of delivering meals in 1974, we started off with nine meal clients to deliver to,” Ms Bolton said. “
Funnily enough nine is the amount BWNG started with on (April 30).”
BWNG’s community and aged care team leader, Kylie Tull said hot meals are currently being delivered Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with an opportunity to increase to five days per week as the need increases.
“BWNG has the current frozen meals still readily available five days per week with the option of buying bulk quantities if required,” Ms Tull said.
“By investigating and listening to the Gloucester community, it was evident that the current Meals on Wheels program was not an ideal fit for the community.
“Even though the meals were nutritious and met all guidelines, not everyone enjoyed the frozen meals,” she said.
“We are more than just a meal,” Ms Galvin added.
“Visiting and spending time with our clients is just as important as the meal itself. It allows us to check on the wellbeing of our clients on a regular basis.
“BWNG is a key provider of community and aged care currently with more than 300 clients within Gloucester and its surrounding areas,” she said.
The meals are supported through Australian Government programs. If eligible the cost is $7.50 per main meal and $2.80 for a soup or dessert.
You may be eligible if you are:
- 65 years or older (50 years or older and identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person) or
- 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and on a low income, homeless or at risk of being homeless
- a person with a disability, who has access to NDIS funding.
BWNG chief executive officer, Anna Burley said that re-establishing the fresh hot meals service for clients has meant navigating the extensive legislative and regulated safety and nutritional requirements set out.
“This process took longer than originally planned but we have now achieved this by the diligent work of a number of staff and community members,” she said.
“It has been exciting to renew the ability to cook these meals for local clients from local premises by local people and where we can use local produce.
“It again shows what we can do in Gloucester for our people,” Ms Burley said.
Ms Galvin has been delivering the meals for the past 12 months in lieu of volunteers while the new Meals on Wheels program was under development.
“Due to the increase in meal deliveries we would like to call on all of our previous Meals on Wheels volunteers and would welcome new ones to join our fantastic team.”
For more information contact the Community and Aged Care Team at Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group on 02 6558 2454.
