Mobile meals

The mobile meals service delivers frozen meals to people's homes if they are unable to cater for themselves. The meals are provided in a frozen form to heat up and eat later.

You will qualify if you:

are a resident in the borough and
living at home and unable to make a meal yourself or to get one from another source and
have no carer available who can provide you with a meal and
would be vulnerable if a meal were not provided

You do not have to be permanently unable to prepare a meal in order to receive mobile meals. If, for example, you have just been discharged from hospital you may be eligible for this service until you have recovered.
The policy for providing mobile meals states that wherever possible, alternatives to the provision of mobile meals must be considered. This includes:

the possibility of eating at a luncheon club if there is one nearby
having meals provided by a private carer
buying frozen meals in a local shop
having a home delivery service from a supermarket of your choice
having a private home delivery service from an approved provider (Sodexho)

The mobile meals service is only for people who have no other realistic means of getting a meal.

How to apply
If you already receive a service from social services, contact your care manager. If not, telephone the customer contact centre on (020) 8825 8000, or visit one of the social services reception points.

You will be asked for more information about yourself, your needs and circumstances. A care manager may also need to contact other people who know you well (such as your GP) but will only do so with your permission. This process is called an assessment. On the basis of this assessment, the care manager will decide with you what services would best meet your needs, including if you would qualify for mobile meals.

Cost
The current cost of each meal supplied through the council is £2.50 (including dessert) for the frozen meals service.

Meal choice
There are ten different menus: western European, diabetic, vegetarian, Asian vegetarian, Asian meat, African Caribbean, Polish, Kosher, soft meals and puree (liquidised meals).

For the first two weeks you will receive a set menu from the menu style you have chosen. During this time you will receive a catalogue and be requested to complete your own choice of meals from week three. You may order any of the meals in the catalogue.

Frozen meals
The frozen meals are delivered fortnightly by Sodexho (the supplier contracted by the council). This service provides a greater choice of meals, which you can heat up at your convenience. Also, you do not have to be at home every day to take delivery of the meals.
A catalogue will be provided from which you can select a menu. If you don't have a microwave oven and/or freezer you may be lent this equipment for the period you are receiving mobile meals. There is no charge for this service.

How many meals am I entitled to?
The number of meals delivered to you will depend on how your needs have been assessed. The assessment will be based on your need for help and your inability to obtain suitable help from other sources. Some people may be assessed as needing a meal for selected days and others may need a meal every day.

Should I cancel a meal if I'm away from home?
Yes, it is important to contact Sodexho, (the contracted service provider) on (020) 8804 6318 so that your meal can be cancelled. If you don't let us know then the delivery person may think you are ill and in need of help. Your next of kin will be contacted in addition to the emergency services.