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Community supports

Meals on Wheels and local community supports

Local community and voluntary services such as meal delivery, social clubs, transport and befriending.

Community or voluntary organisation

Last reviewed: not yet reviewedDraft — local detail not yet published

Community and voluntary services are frequently the quickest practical improvement: a hot meal each day, a lift to an appointment, a weekly social club.

Because provision is genuinely local, we hold verified contacts in county records rather than publishing a national list we cannot stand behind.

Who it's generally for

Older people who are eating poorly, isolated, or unable to get out, and their families.

What it provides

  • Delivered hot or frozen meals in many areas
  • Social clubs, day services, befriending calls and local transport
  • Practical help that often arrives faster than statutory services

The eligibility and assessment caveat

These services are run locally by community and voluntary groups. Coverage, cost and days of delivery vary from area to area, and some areas have no service.

What to do next

  1. Ask the Public Health Nurse, GP practice or local Citizens Information centre what runs locally
  2. Contact the local family resource centre or older people's group
  3. Ask about small charges and delivery days when you call

Documents and information worth preparing

  • The person's address and Eircode
  • Dietary needs and any swallowing difficulties
  • Whether someone will be home at delivery time

Questions worth asking

  • Which days do you deliver, and is there a charge?
  • Can you deliver to this Eircode?
  • Is there a social club or transport service we could also use?

Official sources

We summarise. The organisations below are the authority on current rules, rates and thresholds.

  • Local community and voluntary organisationsMeals on Wheels and community supports
    Official link not yet verified for this record — we will not publish an unverified link.
  • Citizens Information BoardCitizens Information — older people and carers
    Open the official source