Essex Outdoors chefs serve up meals for the local community

A meals on wheels service in Mersea has proved so popular it is being rolled out to the villages in the surrounding area.

Set up by Essex Outdoors (which is run by Essex County Council) and West Mersea Town Council, the service is open to all and is currently delivering more than 150 meals a week to over 30 senior citizens and vulnerable families living in Mersea.

Rolling out to more locations

Due to its success, Essex Outdoors is also working with local care agencies, to extend the service to pensioners and vulnerable families living in the surrounding villages of Peldon, Abberton and Fingringhoe along with Great Wigborough and Little Wigborough.
All of the meals provided are cooked and prepared by the chefs at Essex Outdoors – which has onsite facilities at the activity centre to cater for up to 500 people – and are collected by one of the 13 voluntary delivery drivers and then distributed.

The menu features a stable of firm favourites such as shepherd’s pie and beef stew as well as sandwiches and a desert. Senior Citizens and families who sign-up for a seven-day menu receive a free Sunday lunch, while a two-week menu is to launch by the beginning of May.

Councillor Simon Walsh, ECC Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change Action, said:

“It’s due to the dedication of our volunteers and the support we have received from the Mayor of Mersea, Councillor Carl Powling, that this service has proved so popular.

“A lot of comments we receive is that everyone really enjoys the meals and they are all extremely grateful to our chefs and delivery drivers. We’re also delighted to be working local care agencies as it means that more of our meals can reach those who are in desperate need of support during this difficult time.“

To sign-up to the meals on wheels service, which caters for individual dietary requirements email office@westmersea.org or telephone (01206) 489240.