Volunteers needed to deliver winter meals for elderly

Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire expect to see demand rise by 25% this winter

A charity is urgently appealing for volunteers, in an effort to keep up with an increase in demand for its services this winter.

Age UK volunteers in Darlington deliver hot meals to elderly or isolated residents throughout the week.

But the charity desperately needs more drivers.

Fay Scullion, CEO at Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington, said people are more reluctant to make hot meals over the winter due to fuel costs, leading to a surge in demand for their food delivery service in the coming months.

It's Wednesday morning, and volunteer Anita Wilson is loading up her car at the Age UK's Darlington base on Beaumont Street, ready to start deliveries across the town.

The 64-year-old has been giving up her time for the past five years since she retired, saying she wanted to give back to the community.

Anita recalls helping her mum deliver meals for the Women's Royal Voluntary Service when Anita was a child.

"I think she would be quite chuffed to see me doing it, [but] unfortunately she's not here any longer".

"You enjoy going around, meeting these people. They're so thrilled to see you each time, and it's great to be able to check on them and see that they're OK.

"I think it makes a lot of difference. Some people that you go to don't see anybody else during the day, so you're their only visitor.

"It's great to just be able to put a smile on their face - and they make you smile - and it's just nice company."

The charity currently delivers around 120 meals every week across the Darlington area

Anita's first stop is a mile and a half away, where she is greeted by 89-year-old June.

June's family signed her up for the scheme at the start of the year.

June, who lives alone, said Anita had become a friend: "She's not a delivery driver - she's my friend".

June struggles with mobility, and finds cooking meals difficult. She said it can be very lonely in winter, adding it was lovely to have a knock on the door from someone like Anita

For many elderly residents, the charity food delivery is the only social contact they will have that day, or in some cases over an entire week.

And Ms Scullion predicts demand will increase by 25% during the winter months, after seeing an increase of around 20% over the same period last year.

"Because people have more fuel bills to pay... people are more reluctant to make hot meals at home," said the regional Age UK boss.

"We do see a trend in is more people coming to us for meals and home delivery. There is always a surge over the winter time."

After promoting their service, she also expects to see an increase in friends and family members referring elderly loved ones,

"It's more than having a hot meal - sometimes it's the first, or only, person that will be seen during that day.

"Our drivers will do a wellbeing check, so it's someone to have a conversation with as well."

The charity, which currently has nine delivery drivers, hopes to double its volunteer numbers, and is urging people who have time to help to come forward.

Volunteers need to have their own vehicle and be fit enough to carry food to and from the vehicle.