Cumbria Meals on Wheels makes urgent appeal for volunteers

Trish Price, Cumbria Meals Manager, said: "Throughout Covid we have had lots of volunteers but they are now going back to their normal lives.

"Most of them were furloughed and are gradually going back to work.

"We need to replace them."

Cumbria Meals on Wheels had about 60 volunteers before the pandemic, but now they have about half that number.

"We don't need to get to 60 again because we can no longer have two people in the car because of Covid," explained Trish.

"We could do with another three or four drivers and some people to help in the centre doing paperwork and admin."

Cumbria Meals delivers between 80 and 90 meals every day to some of the most vulnerable people in Carlisle. Trish says the importance of the service cannot be overstated.

"We had to stop for two weeks at the beginning of the pandemic as a member of the kitchen staff became ill.

"It turned out just to e a cough and cold but we were forced to close as a precaution.

"We had so many phone calls from family members, it was really upsetting.

"We had lots of families on the phones crying. So many people rely on it, it is a lifeline for many people."

The team of volunteers saw an influx of customers during the coronavirus lockdown, before then seeing a fall as the restrictions began to ease.

Now though, they are starting to see demand increase again.

"We have still got quite a lot of customers wanting meals," said Trish

A small commitment could make a huge difference, according to Trish.

"We don't need a huge commitment, just two or three hours a week.

"You will be delivering meals to some of the most vulnerable and lonely people in the city.

"People who did it throughout Covid and have now gone back to work are still messaging to ask how Mr and Mrs so and so is.

"They have become so attached that it is still worrying them how they are. It is a very worthwhile volunteering job to do, it really is."

To enquire about volunteering, call 01228 267167.