THE City of Ballarat\u2019s Meals on Wheels service has been operating for 50 years. But, for most of its clients, it\u2019s more than just a meal. And, for most of its volunteers, it\u2019s more than just a delivery job.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s making sure vulnerable people in the community not only eat regular, nutritious meals but also ensures someone is keeping a daily eye on their health, living conditions and general well-being.<\/p>\n
In the process, great friendships are usually formed. Gwen Marshall began receiving the meals five years ago after her husband passed away and she was recovering from a major illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support they\u2019ve given me is tremendous. My volunteer, I\u2019ve known her since our kids were at school together. I opened the door on the first day and I was so thrilled to see her. She just brightens up my day\u201d Mrs Marshall.<\/p>\n
For Ken Gunning, who is legally blind, his meal delivery ensures he only uses the microwave to cook. \u201cIf I had to use the oven, I\u2019d probably burn the house down,\u201d Mr Gunning quipped.<\/p>\n
Client Noel Main can\u2019t speak highly enough of the service.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey adapt meals to suit you \u2013 for example, I\u2019ve just had a tooth removed so they are working around that at the moment,\u201d Mr Main said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are all so nice, it\u2019s an absolutely tremendous service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marj Bourke was a Meals on Wheels volunteer in Melbourne and, since breaking her ankle last December, has become a Meals on Wheels client in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
After her recovery, she hopes to get back into delivering, rather than receiving, meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been lovely \u2013 they have all been so fantastic. I can\u2019t wait to get back into doing it myself.\u201d So how exactly does Meals on Wheels operate?<\/p>\n
Meals on Wheels is a three-course meal, available daily, and delivered to the client\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
Special diets can be provided, for example vegetarian, diabetic or gluten free.<\/p>\n
Every morning, that day\u2019s volunteers pull up in the driveway of the Meals on Wheels office in Mair Street, load up their eskies with meals and take off on their set routes.<\/p>\n
Pensioner and widower Brian Lynch has been volunteering for 11 years and said he finds it very rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives me a reason to get out of bed. I\u2019ve also realised there\u2019s so many people worse off than me,\u201d Mr Lynch said.<\/p>\n
Disabled pensioner Jason Manneken credits his work with Meals on Wheels for helping to greatly improve his depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s got me back into the world. It\u2019s very rewarding and you\u2019re doing a great community service,\u201d Mr Manneken said.<\/p>\n
Both Mr Lynch and Mr Manneken said often they were the only person their client might see for the whole day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes your problems seem very trivial,\u201d Mr Manneken said.<\/p>\n
Gail Kappe said she also often helped with little odd jobs while delivering meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the clients will ask \u2018can you just do this before you go?\u2019, she said.<\/p>\n
Volunteers also look out for signs their clients are ill or not caring for themselves adequately.<\/p>\n
In one day, Norma Worswick reported six of her clients were unwell, with three ending up in hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do feel like you\u2019re helping the community and providing some friendship and companionship,\u201d Ms Worswick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really love some of the people and I look forward to seeing them. They miss you too. If you\u2019re missing for some reason, they will ring up and check you\u2019re okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Betty Wilson, losing a client is like losing a friend while Anna Bevan, who has been volunteering since 2005, loves to stop and \u201chave a good chat\u201d with her clients, as does Margaret Nunn, who has been volunteering for 35 years.<\/p>\n
Stan Manning agreed. \u201cThey love to have a chat \u2013 a lot of them don\u2019t see anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yvonne Drever summed it up for everyone. \u201cIt just gives you great satisfaction.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on Meals on Wheels, go to the City of Ballarat website at ballarat.vic.gov.au<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE City of Ballarat\u2019s Meals on Wheels service has been operating for 50 years. But, for most of its clients, it\u2019s more than just a meal. And, for most of its volunteers, it\u2019s more than just a delivery job. It\u2019s making sure vulnerable people in the community not only eat regular, nutritious meals but also […]<\/p>\n