The theme of the first ever National Meals on Wheels Network conference to take place in the Athlone Springs Hotel on Friday, November 25, is ‘Celebrating the Role of Meals on Wheels in Ireland – Now and into the Future’.
It is an opportunity to bring providers and other key stakeholders together to share information, gain knowledge and discuss practically how the service can continue to be embedded as an essential frontline community service into the future.
The conference will be officially opened by the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Deputy Mary Butler and a number of well-established and innovative Meals on Wheels providers will present their service to the audience providing an insight into how they operate, the challenges they face and how they overcome them.
Key stakeholder experts will explore and discuss the future development of the sector through various workshops covering topics relevant to the sector.
Information stalls will also be present on the day relevant to the meals on wheels’ service.
The National Meals on Wheels Network was established in 2015 under the umbrella of Irish Rural Link. Located in every county in Ireland, Meals on Wheels providers are working hard in challenging situations to successfully deliver nutritious meals every week to older and more vulnerable people throughout the country in urban and rural areas.
The Network details over 260 Meals on Wheels Providers nationally. It supports these providers with the practical sharing of information and relevant training. Most importantly the Network gives providers the opportunity to have their voices heard to ensure their continued work to design a country-wide model which supports clients to live independently in their own homes.
This conference is supported by the Wheel’s Training Links Programme.
