Meals on wheels case studies; stories of success

Despite cuts to meals on wheels services, some councils continue to champion them or to work with local partners to save and enhance their local service. Our case studies provide a range of examples of how it’s possible to continue services and invest in their development, bringing about a range of benefits to individuals, their families and the wider community and local economy. Importantly this isn’t about turning the clock back or saving services at any cost, these services are thriving because they have adapted to the new context, listened to their clients and maximised the value beyond the meal itself.  

Contact us if you would like to tell us about your service, join our e-forum to join a community of others working in this field, or visit download this short resource pack to read more about examples of what’s worked well.  

Other examples and resources 

• Meals on wheels case studies 2020 (NACC, 2020)
• Something to be proud of: Taking an enterprising approach to meals on wheels (Simon Shaw CF, 2020) 
• Webinar recording: Food and Enterprise: Meals on wheels services and community food businesses from around the globe (Simon Shaw and Joanna Heywood, 2020) 
• Food Train Meal Makers 
• Meals on wheels good practice case studies (Sustain and partners, 2018) 
• Webinar recording: Older people’s access to food and meals on wheels (Food Power, 2018) 
• Short film: Fair Meals Direct: Meals on Wheels Carlisle (Fair Food Carlisle, 2014) 

Examples of meals on wheels services emerging during the Covid-19 outbreak 

Many established meals on wheels services are expanding their reach during Covid-19. There are also a wide range of services which have emerged during the pandemic, involving a many different organisations from the public, private and community sector. We couldn't possibly list all of these; below we list a range of exemplary projects. 

• School caterers put their meals on wheels, Sustain (includes case studies from Brighton Enfield, Lancaster & Morecombe and Washingborough)  
• Webinar recording: School caterers put their meals on wheels, Sustain, May 2020 
• The Bevy Community Pub meals on wheels, Brighton 
• Crop Drop meals preparation, Haringey, London 
• Food and Friendship Luncheon Club meals delivery (short film), Hove 
• Made in Hackney's advice on setting up a food service during Covid-19 (including a short film) 
• NR5, Society Alice and TLC meals delivery, Norwich 
• Oxford Mutual Aid (in partnership with Dementia Oxfordshire, the local Age UK and Oxford University) 
• FoodWorks meals subscription, Sheffield 
• Food Hall frozen meals, Sheffield 
• The Umbrella Cafe CIC, Whistable, Kent 

Advice on improving nutrition among older people 

• Malnutrition Task Force 
• Links to guidance re food prep, welfare checks, safeguarding etc 

Research 

• Beyond the Food Bank: Meals on wheels in London (Sustain, 2019) 
• Meals on wheels survey 2018 (APSE and NACC, 2018) 
• Improving food shopping for older people (University of Hertfordshire, 2018) 
• Short film: Food in Later Life (University of Hertfordshire, 2018) 
• Food in Later Life Game (University of Hertfordshire, 2018) 
• Helping older people maintain a healthy diet: A review of what works (Public Health England, 2017) 
• Hidden hunger and malnutrition in the elderly (Feeding Britain, 2017) 
• The cost of malnutrition in the UK and potential cost savings from nutritional interventions (Elio M. on behalf of the Malnutrition Action Group of BAPEN and the National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, 2015) 
• Personalisation, Nutrition and the Role of Community Meals (International Longevity Centre UK, 2010)