Shropshire Council defends meals on wheels replacement

Shropshire Council has defended plans to replace its community meals service.

Volunteers working for the WRVS charity have been told the county's meals on wheels service will end in May.

Stephen Chandler, assistant director of adult social care, said providing frozen meals would offer clients more choice and be a "positive change".

Some WRVS volunteers have been critical of falling referrals and the decision to withdraw the daily delivery of hot meals.

Visiting clients

"One of the things people valued very much was the intervention of the volunteer," Mr Chandler said.

Under the new plans, Mr Chandler said volunteers would still have an important role to play in visiting clients and in some cases helping them to prepare meals.

Annual assessments are currently taking place across the county to consider how many older people will need the meals service and what support might be necessary.

The changes would not affect people in the Telford and Wrekin area.