Relief as Meals on Wheels service reinstated in Mayo area
Meals on Wheels is a vital service. Not only are hot meals distributed to the elderly, but the service also provides lonely people with much-needed interaction and human connection.
Widespread relief in the Ballindine area follows the reinstatement of the Meals on Wheels service for Ballindine.
The Kilvine Community Meals project ran three days a week for 16 years, providing 27 nutritional meals daily to residents in the Kilvine, Garrymore and Hollymount communities. The service abruptly closed earlier this month.
Staffed by South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) under the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), meals were freshly prepared in the kitchen of Ballindine Community Centre.
Earlier this year, RSS members were means tested. Two of the staff were found to be over the income threshold required to remain on the scheme. As replacements were sought, the supervisor of the scheme filled in part-time. However, this arrangement was unsustainable and the service closed.
Fortunately, a viable solution has been found: providers in Milltown, Ballinrobe, Mayo Abbey and Brickens have agreed to bring meals to the people of Ballindine and Irishtown.
Plans to reinstate the Kilvine Community Meals project are underway. A recruitment campaign has been launched by the Mayo South West Development Company to recruit personnel for the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) in the Ballindine area.
Meals on Wheels is a vital service. Not only are hot meals distributed to the elderly, but the service also provides lonely people with much-needed interaction and human connection.
