Meals on Wheels
Hertfordshire County Council and the voluntary sector supply meals on wheels to residents who:
- are unable to obtain a meal from any other source, such as a partner or Lunch Club;
- are unable to prepare their own meal, using either fresh, frozen or chilled foods;
- would be at risk if left alone to prepare food;
- are liable to self-neglect or would eat an inappropriate diet without this service.
If you think you might qualify for Meals on Wheels, contact Hertfordshire County Council or your doctor.
Details of the providers of the Meals on Wheels service in the district can be found on the Hertfordshire County Council website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who provides meals on wheels in Three Rivers?
Hertfordshire Community Meals offer a service 7 days a week, 365 days a year to all areas of the District.
This includes a hot lunch service and a cold tea service (the cold tea is delivered at the same time as the hot lunch). The local office can be reached (including at weekends and bank holidays) on 01442 243352.
The service provides a choice of 5 different main meals per day, and provides specialist menus for customers with specific dietary and cultural requirements.
The following services are also available in specific areas of the District:
Sarratt
- Sarratt Care provide a service Mon-Fri for £2.50
Chorleywood
- Chorleywood WRVS provide a fresh cooked meal service Mon, Tue, and Thurs for £3.00
What is the cost?
For previous customers of WRVS and HCM (before 1 April 2013)
Hertfordshire Community Meals (HCM) will be charged at £3.45 for lunch Mon – Fri and £3.95 at weekends. The optional cold tea will be charged at £3.00.
The additional discount for Mon – Fri of 50p will continue until March 2014 for existing customers, subsidised by TRDC. This subsidy for existing customers of the WRVS and HCM will reduce to 25p during 2014-15 and end on 31 March 2015
New customers, Chorleywood WRVS customers and Sarratt Care customers will be charged at £3.95 for lunch and £3.00 for cold tea 7 days a week
Why has the price increased?
Unfortunately, the financial situation for councils remains very difficult and Hertfordshire County Council is having to make some difficult decisions to avoid making cuts to essential front line services. The cost to buy and deliver a meal to people is significantly greater than the amount HCC charges. Whilst HCC recognise the importance and value of this service, it needs to increase the price to reflect rising food and fuel costs over the past year.
HCC believes that the service remains very good value at this price. If you are concerned about this price increase, please telephone 0300 123 4042.
How do I sign up for meals on wheels or get a relative signed up?
For all areas of the District for a 7 days a week service – Hertfordshire Community Meals
1. Contact Hertfordshire County Council's Contact Centre on 0300 123 4042 and hold to speak to an operator.
2. Explain that you (or someone you know) would like to receive meals on wheels.
3. A County Council Officer will then conduct a brief eligibility assessment with you using the criteria below (sometimes the Council will call you back within two days).
4. The County Council will then contact HCM with all of the details.
5.HCM’s Customer Service Team staff will send you a welcome letter, a menu and information on the service.
6. You will then need to phone HCM to discuss any specific requirements, ask any questions you may have and decide on the dates you would like to begin receiving the service.
For residents in Sarratt wishing to use the service from Sarratt Care – at a charge of £2.50 Mon – Fri
1. Contact Sarratt Care on 01923 264 618
For residents in Chorleywood wishing to receive the fresh cooked meal service Mon, Tue and Thursday at a charge of £3.00
1. Contact the Chorleywood WRVS by calling Barbara Christie on 01923 282751 or Linda Clarkson on 01494 762849.
Hertfordshire Community Meals – About the new service for the whole of the District from 1 April 2013.
How much do the meals cost?
Meals on wheels (a main meal and a hot or cold dessert) cost £3.95. Each tea time meal costs £3.00.
However previous customers of HCM and WRVS (not Chorleywood) in Three Rivers will have the main meal price subsidised by Three Rivers for the next two years for deliveries on Mon-Fri. From the 1 April the lunch will be charged at £3.45. The subsidy from Three Rivers will reduce to 25p from 1 April 2014 and will end on 31 March 2015.
What do I need to do to start receiving meals?
1. Contact Hertfordshire County Council's Contact Centre on 0300 123 4042 and hold to speak to an operator.
2. Explain that you (or someone you know) would like to receive meals on wheels.
3. A County Council Officer will then conduct a brief eligibility assessment with you using the criteria below (sometimes the Council will call you back within two days).
4. The County Council will then contact HCM with all of the details.
5. HCM’s Customer Service Team staff will send you a welcome letter, a menu and information on the service.
6. You will then need to phone HCM to discuss any specific requirements, ask us any questions you may have and decide on the dates you would like to begin receiving the service.
How do I know if I am eligible to receive meals?
In order to receive meals, some simple eligibility criteria have to be met:
1. Does the person have difficulty in preparing or cooking a meal using either fresh, frozen or chilled foods because:
- They are frail, confused or housebound?
- They have a mental or physical disability?
- They would be at risk in preparing a meal?
2. Is the person unable to shop regularly for food or obtain a meal from any other source, e.g. partner/relative/friend/lunch club?
3. Does the person need temporary cover or service because:
- Their carer is unwell or on holiday?
- They are suffering bereavement, illness or have recently been discharged from hospital?
If you think that you meet one or more of these criteria, call the Herts County Council Customer Service Team on 0300 123 4042 and they will confirm whether you can receive meals and will arrange for them to be delivered to you.
How do I pay for my meal?
You can pay for your meals via direct debit, cheque, postal order or through a telephone payment (by calling HCM’s customer service team giving them your credit/debit card details). You will be invoiced for your meals monthly in arrears.
How often may I have meals delivered?
HCM deliver meals 365 days a year throughout most of Hertfordshire (for more information, please click here). You can choose to have meals every day, or on whichever days you need them.
What time will my meal be delivered?
Meals will be delivered piping hot and ready to eat between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm on weekdays and between 11.30 am and 2.00 pm at weekends. Your meal service deliverer will usually arrive around the same time every day, but occasionally the needs of another client, bad weather, or severe traffic issues may mean that the time varies a little. If you prefer to eat at an earlier or later time and are able to heat your own meal, HCM’s frozen meal service may be more suitable for you.~
Who will deliver my meal?
Your meal will be delivered by a member of HCM’s Meals Service Delivery Team. You will recognise them because they will be wearing a Herts Community Meals (HCM) green uniform, and will wear a HCM identity badge.
How will I choose my meals?
You will receive a menu from which to select your meals (an example menu can be downloaded here). The menu will allow you to select your monthly choice of meals. Every four months you will be sent a new menu so that you can choose again. Each day there will be a selection of five dinners, including two meat/fish options, two vegetarian options and a salad. The menu also offers a selection of one hot and two cold desserts, including those suitable for a diabetic diet.
HCM’s customer service teams can also create personalised menus for clients who have particular preferences. We also offer a wide range of specialist meals for clients who would like Kosher, Halal, vegetarian, Asian or Caribbean/West Indian food. We provide a special range of soft, pureed and texture-modified meals for clients who have swallowing difficulties, as well as diabetic, moderate salt, gluten free, lower fat, energy dense, dairy free, and reducing options, for clients with health or ethical dietary needs.
If you do not want to choose your meals, we will provide you with the 'meal of the day'.
If you would like a teatime meal you will also be given a teatime menu from which to select your meals.
For more information about HCM meals, please click here.
To view a selection of the food HCM offer, please visit the Gallery.
What should I expect my meal service deliverer to do?
Your meal service deliverer will be pleased to bring your meal into your home, plate it, and fetch you a glass of water if that is what you would like. Some clients like to eat their meal from the container in which it is delivered. If you prefer to take your meal from the HCM deliverer at the door, do remember to use a tray or a thick cloth because the meal will be very hot.
Your driver will also ask how you are feeling, and if you have any worries they can ask our office staff to contact your family or friends on your behalf to make sure that someone looks in on you.
Can I eat my meal later?
The meal will be delivered piping hot and ready to eat straightaway. It will stay warm for a short while if unopened, but it must never be reheated. Cold desserts, sandwiches and salads may be kept in the fridge to eat later that day if required.
What happens if I don't like something?
If you select a meal that you don't enjoy or if there are things that you cannot eat, tell your meal service deliverer or call HCM’s customer service team, who will make sure that you won't receive it again.
What happens if I don't answer the door when my meal is delivered?
HCM’s meal service delivery staff will first try to make sure that you can hear them by knocking at the front and back door if you have one. If they don't get a response, they will try to phone you on the number which you have given HCM. If you don't answer, they will call the office and the person you have given as your next of kin will be called. HCM will make sure that they know you are safe, and if necessary ask the police to help check you are all right. HCM will never leave a meal outside your home or with a neighbour, for security reasons.
What if I need to cancel a meal?
If you are going away, have an appointment, or will not need a meal for another reason, you can cancel the meal by calling the office before 8.30 am on the day that you do not want it. You can also cancel a meal by telling your meal service deliverer or by calling one of our customer service teams in advance. There is a 24-hour answering machine at each office on which you can leave a message outside office hours.