Maitland Community Care Services (MCCS) is celebrating two significant milestones this year; 30 years providing home and community care to frail aged and people living with disability, and 50 years of Meals on Wheels operation in the local community.
Meals on Wheels (MOW) delivered its first meal from Maitland Hospital in 15 January 1968, starting with just one client. Fifty years on, almost 1,000 meals are delivered each week, all by volunteers, to people in the community that can’t always prepare a nutritious meal for themselves.
General Manager of MCCS, Megan Smith said the meals provide for people in a range of circumstances.
“For some people, the delivery of meals helps whilst they’re recovering from illness or a hospital stay,” Megan said.
“For others, we deliver regularly, providing peace of mind to the recipient and their family.”
MCCS commenced as a transport provider helping safely transport disadvantaged locals to appointments, shopping and ensuring they can maintain their social connections.
“Now, 30 years on, MCCS continues to provide this much needed transport service, but has also added other practical services like meal preparation, domestic assistance, personal care, shopping and respite, all with a focus on reablement – more like doing with rather than doing for,” Megan said.
Over the decades, hundreds and hundreds of local volunteers and staff have worked to support the organisation, as well as the thousands of locals who were able to remain living at home thanks to this support.
“We have almost 100 volunteers who give their time to people in our community, driving people to appointments, delivering meals, as well as the really important role of providing social outings to reduce isolation,” Megan said.
MCCS currently supports almost 1,500 people with in-home services and home care packages with almost 50 staff and 100 volunteers.
“We really couldn’t do this without our loyal and dedicated volunteers.”
MCCS held a celebratory event for both anniversaries on Wednesday 26 September at The Chapel, Maitland Gaol.
IMAGE | Guests at MCCS’ celebratory event.
