Right at Home feeds 100 people on Christmas Day
Published: 05/01/2021
Community spirited cooks delivered a large helping of festive cheer and a home cooked meal to around 100 elderly people who were on their own on Christmas Day.
The Christmas meals initiative was the idea of Right at Home GF and was in response to the closure of many community organisations that would normally provide a Christmas meal service. The home care provider put out an appeal in early December for volunteers who would be willing to cook an extra portion of Christmas lunch for an older person living nearby.
Volunteer Co-ordinator Kate Shanks says: “The response to our initial request for volunteer cooks was overwhelming. Thanks to the amazing Friends of Right at Home we were able to co-ordinate offers of help with requests for a meal from older people living in Farnham, Fleet, Farnborough, Godalming, Guildford, Bordon and Alton.
“Along with their hot meal people also received cards made by children from South Farnham Junior School and a mince pie donated by Waitrose. I also know that many of the volunteers added a few extra gifts to the goody bag.”
Since Christmas Day, Right at Home GF has been inundated with feedback from both volunteers and people who received the meals about how the initiative transformed their day.
The service was also greatly appreciated by loved ones who could not be with their older relative. One described it as ‘a comfort’ to know her uncle had a ‘home cooked meal especially as this was the first year that he hasn’t been able to spend Christmas with all the family’. Other vulnerable and isolated people who received a meal were said to be ‘overwhelmed that a stranger in their community would take the time to show them kindness’.
Kate Shanks says: “I would like to thank everybody who helped make the Christmas meals project such a success. I am delighted we were able to bring a little joy to so many people.”
As well as supporting the community and those affected by the pandemic, Right at Home GF also has a reputation for providing outstanding home care services for people who need a little extra help through to those recovering from a stay in hospital.
