A West Lothian charity whose volunteers deliver shopping and cook meals for thousands of vulnerable older people has briefed a Scottish Government minister on its crucial work to tackle malnutrition and loneliness.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto heard directly from members of Food Train in Livingston as they shared the positive difference that its services make to their lives.
Ms Minto also thanked the charity’s volunteers locally and nationally for their work while highlighting the Scottish Government’s determination to address malnutrition among older people.
Food Train works with about 3,000 people across Scotland – including 245 in West Lothian – to help them live independent, healthier and happier lives in their own homes. It does that through shopping, meal-making and befriending services.
The charity is at the forefront of action to tackle malnutrition among older Scots and in calling for greater focus on addressing growing concerns about the issue. Its screening suggests that at least 16 per cent people aged 65 and over across the country either are, or at risk of becoming, malnourished.
As part of her visit this week, Ms Minto held discussions with Food Train Chief Executive Rosie McLuskie and other staff members, as well as chatting with volunteers who make deliveries as well as some of those who use the services.
The Minister said: “I thank Food Train’s volunteers and staff for their invaluable work preventing malnutrition and loneliness in thousands of older people across Scotland and specifically here in West Lothian.
“It was a privilege to see at first hand the impact that Food Train is having in communities struggling with the increased cost of living.
“I have also heard how programmes like Eat Well, Age Well and Meal Makers allow people to continue to enjoy living independently and enjoying healthy food in their own homes. This reinforces our determination to address malnutrition and loneliness in older people – with Food Train as a trusted partner.”
To help with the earlier identification of malnutrition, Food Train has long called for mandatory malnutrition screening by all agencies supporting older people and increased investment in community initiatives tackling isolation and increasing opportunities for older people to eat.
Ms McLuskie said: “We were pleased to welcome Ms Minto and thank her for making the time to visit. We hope that our discussions were helpful as our members highlighted what our services mean to them.
“We are keen to collaborate with partners of all kinds to build on our work to increase awareness and drive down malnutrition among older people.
“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for supporting our Eat Well Age Well and Meal Makers initiatives in recent years. These – along with our shopping delivery and other services – ensure our members not only have the food they need to eat well, but enjoy the life-enhancing company they need to live well.
“The unique relationships our volunteers nurture with older people help deal with the root causes of malnutrition and loneliness, ultimately easing the strain on our health and social care services.”
Food Train operates regional shopping branches covering Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders, Stirling and Clackmannanshire and West Lothian.
It also runs a one-to-one meal making service and other befriending initiatives.
To find out about how Food Tran could help you or someone you know, email [email protected] or call 0800 3047924. To register as a volunteer, go to www.thefoodtrain.co.uk.
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