Client receiving LifeCare's vital meals on wheels service
Project code: 25
Summary
Description
We request funding to allow us to purchase an electric vehicle which will support all of our client care services and will specifically support our meals on wheels service which is completely free for those on low incomes.
We deliver 150 meals per week to local older people living across the North of the city. Meals on wheels ensures that local older people eat well and have something positive and reliable to look forward to. Meals are cooked fresh in our community kitchen, delivered direct to homes hot and ready to eat. Clients are provided with menus, with all dietary needs catered for; client feedback informs changing menus. We make sure the same friendly faces visit regularly so that clients can look forward to a chat with their delivery and our staff/volunteers can raise any issues or concerns if needed.
Our current car is old, expensive to run and is not environmentally friendly. In just the last two months, we have delivered over 1,320 hot meals in our current vehicle and we estimate that we currently cover over 2,550 miles a year distributing this life-saving service. However if we received funding to switch to a used electric vehicle we will significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and this will support and contribute to the net-zero target for Edinburgh. Furthermore, by purchasing an electric vehicle, we will significantly reduce the cost of our deliveries - enabling us to increase the capacity of our service and reach more older people in need. The demand for the service is growing rapidly and we have experienced a 195% increase in free meals delivered since September.
Location: North Edinburgh
Proposed on behalf of: LifeCare has a proud 80+ year history supporting local older people living across Leith, Portobello and North Edinburgh. Our mission is to ensure every older person receives the best possible care, companionship and advice they need to live well and independently in their own homes for longer. We support over 1,000 local people (50+) a year including those living with dementia, in isolation, with reduced mobilities, on low incomes and with mental health issues. We run three registered day-centres, registered outreach care and help at home services, meals on wheels, dementia friendly hairdressing, activities for unpaid carers, vintage vibes friendships and run a busy community café and hub on Cheyne Street offering community classes, activities and groups. Older people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and now hit by the rising cost of living; we are experiencing unprecedented demand – up 250% in enquiries for some of our services.
Lifecare is great community asset