Last Meals on Wheels for Oban and the Islands

THE LAST Meals on Wheels deliveries go out in Oban and the islands next week.

After weeks of uncertainty, letters to Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) volunteers have only just been received, giving them notice Friday March 23 will be their final day.

Volunteers who wanted to keep the service going have complained of being ‘dropped’ by the charity after 40 dedicated years of delivering meals to some of the area’s loneliest and most vulnerable people.

Sam Ward, director of comA missioned services for the Royal Voluntary Service, confirmed, following a review, the service delivered by Royal Voluntary Service in Argyll and Bute would stop by the end of March.

'We are keeping in close communication with our volunteers, who along with our staff members have worked tremendously hard to deliver the council meals and their efforts have been hugely appreciated.

‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank them sincerely,’ she said.

But volunteers feel they have been left in the dark about any alternative scheme being put in place to help service users.

One of the Oban volunteers, who did not want to be named, said: ‘Surely something must be in place to replace it by now but we haven’t been told a thing. We feel as if we’ve just been dropped.’

Argyll and Bute councillor Kieron Green said: ‘There have been assessments to see if the people who were using the service need any care in its place and that could include meal preparation that would be provided as part of a general care package or a new care package.

‘I’m not sure of the exact status but that’s what was planned to make sure no one would be disadvantaged.

‘Meals On Wheels is a service which has been widely supported by local volunteers who have found it rewarding and many people in the community who have really appreciated it.’

A Health and Social Care partnership spokesman said service users have now been contacted and alternative options have been discussed and put in place, where necessary. Anyone who feels they still need an assessment should contact social services on 01546 605517.

‘The partnership wishes to thank the RVS management and volunteers across the authority for all the time and effort they have given to the elderly community and wish them the best of luck with the rolling out of their new innovative projects,’ added the spokesman.

Tiree volunteers are hoping they can keep the service going through a different project as part of another community scheme.

John Bottomley, who volunteers on the island, said: ‘We received a letter from RVS with the final decision that they are withdrawing from the service. The last delivery will be made on March 23. Cùram on Tiree are trying to come to an arrangement with the health and social care partnership so that the service can continue.’