A group of Wessex Water volunteers have delivered hundreds of hot meals to vulnerable older people across Bath during the coronavirus pandemic.
The water and sewerage company’s hospitality provider BaxterStorey has been preparing the meals for the volunteers to deliver to vulnerable adults in the area.
The meal deliveries are part of Age UK Bath and North East Somerset’s (BANES) Community Meals Service, which ensures older people receive home-cooked food.
Innovation adviser Andrew Russell, who has been delivering hot meals on behalf of Age UK Banes, said: “The reaction from people I’ve delivered to has been incredible; they are truly grateful for not only the meal but also the few minutes of company and interaction, even if it is from a distance.
“Many of them live alone so we have become one of the only faces they have seen during lockdown. It’s an amazingly rewarding initiative, and you can see the difference it is making in people’s lives.”
Community events co-ordinator Beth Angle, who has also been delivering hot meals, said: “I’m proud to be part of a team of volunteers delivering daily hot lunches to Age UK clients across Bath.
“I wanted to get involved to make a real difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable customers in these uncertain times.
“Not only does the provision of meals provide vital support, but the deliveries give us a chance to check in on the welfare of the clients and have a chat with those who may not receive any other visitors that week.”
Kirsty Scarlett, head of community engagement at Wessex Water, is responsible for overseeing volunteering across the company and working with charity partners to determine who needs help.
She added: “While our key workers have been working around the clock to continue to supply safe drinking water and treat waste during these trying times, other colleagues have been keen to help our customers in other ways by volunteering for local causes or just starting their own initiatives from home.
“We’ve encouraged all our people who see a local need to get involved and contribute some time, so it’s fantastic that so many have come forward wanting to do something meaningful and helpful for their local community.”