A. You can use our interactive map to find whether there are Meals on Wheels providers delivering to your home.

If you cannot find a provider delivering in your area, please contact:

• For England: Your Local Authority's Adult Social Care Services
• For Wales: Your Local Authority's Social Care Services
• For Scotland: Your Council's Social Care Department
• For Northern Ireland: The Health and Social Care Assessment Teams in your Local Area

A. Once you have used our interactive map and identified Meals on Wheels providers who deliver to your home, you can contact them using their listed phone number or email address. You can also visit their listed website for more information.

A. Many providers in the UK have no criteria for who can access Meals on Wheels. The service can be used by anyone who has a need for a meal and who cannot leave their home to get the ingredients and prepare the meal themselves due to a physical or mental condition or disability. Usually, for these providers, the person interested in accessing the service can ‘self-refer’, or the referral can be made by a family member, neighbour or friend, a GP or nurse, a social worker, or a hospital discharge team.

Some providers do have eligibility criteria, that are usually reported on their websites. These criteria might have to do with someone's age, health, or living conditions. Often, referral to Meals on Wheels in this case is made by a health care professional or a principal social worker, following a needs assessment.

A. This depends on your provider. Most providers require a 24-hour notice before the first meal can be delivered, but others might need longer.

A. Most providers deliver a hot meal daily. Others deliver chilled and / or frozen meals, either in addition to the hot meal or as a substitute. For example, a provider might deliver a hot meal for lunch, and a chilled meal (e.g. a sandwich with salad, fruit, yogurt etc) for tea. Some providers deliver hot meals for lunch on weekdays, and chilled or frozen meals to reheat during the weekend. Your provider will discuss all the available options with you.

A. Most providers offer a two-course lunch (a main and a dessert, or a soup and a main), while others offer only a main meal, and some a three-course meal. Some providers also offer breakfast and tea packs, or lighter meals (e.g. salads, omelettes, sandwiches, tarts, jacket potatoes). In addition, some providers offer between 1-4 options to choose from each day, and some cater for different portion sizes. Many providers have 2-5 week rolling menus.

A. Most providers cater for a variety of dietary requirements and preferences, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free. Some providers also cater for health conditions, such as diabetes (low-sugar), hypertension (low-salt), or different levels of chewing difficulties (e.g. soft or pureed meals). Many providers offer Kosher, Halal, Asian and Afro-Caribbean meals. If you have specific needs or preferences (including if you do not like specific meals), please make sure you let your provider know.

A. This depends on your provider. Most providers will deliver a meal every day, some will deliver every weekday only (and may, or may not provide meals for reheating over the weekend), and some may only deliver one, or a few, days per week. If your provider's plan does not fully meet your needs, please consider discussing this with your Council's or Local Authority's Social Care Services.

A. Most providers deliver during the 11.30 - 14.00 lunchtime window. If your provider only provides frozen meals, delivery will usually be once per week.

A. This will depend on many factors, such as how often you require meals, how many meals you require (e.g. if you order tea in addition to lunch), whether the meals are fresh or frozen, whether you have an assessed care need etc. On average, the price for a two-course hot meal ranges from £4 to £13. Please note, however, that prices are very often subject to change, and your provider will be able to discuss the most up-to-date prices with you.

A. Most providers accept a variety of payment methods, such as cash, cheque, bank transfer, or via direct debit. How often payment should be made also varies, with some providers accepting payment for each delivery, while others on a weekly or monthly basis. Your provider can advise you on the available payment methods and payment frequency options.

A. Apart from delivering a meal, what most services in the UK have in common is that they will offer some social interaction. Some providers also report on their websites that they can help with plating up the meal, store meals safely in the freezer, or ensure that the recipients of the service are well and safe in their home. The specific services that are provided alongside the meal might depend on the Meals on Wheels provider.

A. Please discuss any issues, or problems you might have with the service, directly with your Meals on Wheels provider.

A. Please contact us to let us know

A. In addition to the questions above, which you should discuss with your Meals on Wheels provider, you can consider asking the following questions:

• What happens if I'm at home, but I cannot come to the door when my meal is delivered?
• What happens if I need a meal, but I’m not at home at the time of delivery?
• What happens if I'm having problems paying?
• Who will deliver the meal?
• Will the person delivering the meal come into my property? How long will they stay?
• What do I do if my delivery is running late?
• Do I have to order a meal for every day of the week?
• What happens if I need to cancel a meal delivery?
• Are there any additional services, like a wellbeing check, available?

A. You can check the following before deciding on a provider:

1. Visit the provider's website: Reputable providers often display certifications, affiliations, and awards on their website. Look for information about their history, mission, and values.
2. Contact your Council or Local Authority: Reach out to Local Councils or Health and Social Care Services. They can provide information about trusted providers in your area and may have approved lists of services.
3. Ask for recommendations: Speak to friends, family, or community groups. Personal recommendations can be very reliable.
4. Check with charitable organisations: Charities such as Age UK and social enterprises in your area often have partnerships or can recommend trusted providers.
5. Look for accreditation: Verify if the provider is accredited by relevant authorities. Accredited providers are typically subjected to regular inspections and meet certain standards.
6. Inquire about staff training and background checks: Ask the provider about their staff training and whether they conduct background checks on the drivers who deliver the meals. Trusted providers ensure their staff are well-trained and vetted.
7. Check testimonials: Look for testimonials from current or past clients. Websites like Trustpilot or Google Reviews could provide insights into the experiences of others.