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It's Not Just Meals On Wheels...

Poole’s Adult Social Services Unit has revolutionised its meal provision by awarding Agincare the contract to deliver meals to vulnerable adults, seven days a week for the next three years.

John Dermody, Head of Adult Social Services (Commissioning), said: "Poole residents who are unable to cook for themselves are now able to get hot meals delivered to their own home every day, 365 days per year."

Agincare was awarded the contract following a successful pilot scheme that used the latest hi-tech vehicles called ChefMobiles. These are specially adapted to electronically maintain the meals at a constant temperature, so that food can be kept hot for customers even if they are the last on the delivery round.

Councillor Elaine Atkinson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community Support, accompanied one of Agincare’s delivery drivers to see for herself how the service was working. She said: "It’s great to see that people who need support to remain in their own homes are receiving such a good service. The fact that people’s safety and well-being are being checked regularly in this way is very encouraging and reassuring. It helps people feel more secure."

The service is unique - it is the first of it’s type where a meal provider and a care provider are working together to offer both meal delivery and a personal care check for those living in their own home. Agincare provide the service in partnership with Apetito, Europe’s largest provider of community meals, who were responsible for developing the ChefMobile.

Keith Ralph, Operations Director, Agincare, said: "Meal deliveries are often the only point of contact with the outside world for some people. Our drivers take their role, as health caretakers, very seriously making sure people are safe and well. This is not just a meal delivery service. This is an excellent service and has been a great success in Dorset. We are looking to expand throughout the area because I believe demand for this type of service will continue to grow to support the UK’s increasing ageing population."

The service has a wide range of menu options, with a 100 nutritional meals to choose from. It caters for cultural needs and most special dietary requirements such as diabetic, vegetarian and gluten-free.

A customer said " I really enjoy them and they’re a great help to me. I wouldn’t be without them now."

This service is not confined to Poole or Social Services clients. It is available privately to anyone who finds it difficult or does not have the time to prepare their own meals. For more details contact your local Agincare office.

Agincare Ltd has offices in Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Ferndown and Bridport.  Tel: 01305 777977, Fax: 01305 778868

For further information regarding the meal home delivery contact: Keith Ralph, Agincare, tel: 01305 769418

John Dermody, Adult Social Services (Commisioning), Borough of Poole, tel: 01202 261132

Ruth Lawson, PR Officer (Media), Borough of Poole, tel: (01202) 633295