Obair | Community Services Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels

Background:

The Meals on Wheels service was implemented in the village over 20 years ago by Canon Reuben Butler and the Going Strong Active Retirement Group and had been operating from Cafe Fergus since 2010. The project commenced with supplying 10 meals to local people in the Newmarket on Fergus area and currently supplies to 290 service users per day, delivering five days per week in the Co. Clare area. The service is available to older people who might not be in a position to cook for themselves. These meals are cooked fresh daily at our newly renovated Tradaree Building.

The meals are healthy, varied, nutritious and are cooked to strict HACCP standards. Each person receives a daily hot or cold meal and also a choice of either soup or a dessert.

We have a team of 75 volunteers that support the service throughout the County and offer a friendly face to those availing of the Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels is vital to our area and we have seen the benefits it provides down through the years, delivering not only a hot meal but also a chat or a check in. It provides peace of mind for anyone with elderly relatives who might be living a distance away from their families or working full time. This has been an invaluable service to the people of Newmarket on Fergus and we are delighted to have the facilities to extend the service out to other areas.

Availing of the Service

The meals are available to older people who might not be able to cook for themselves. If you or a loved one would like to avail of this service you can contact us at Obair by phone (061) 368030 or 086 785 1620 or by emailing mealsonwheels@obair.org. We will give you an application form to fill in some basic details and an emergency contact number. Once this form is returned to us and application is approved you can start using the service.

Quality Food

The meals that you receive are cooked fresh every day to the highest standard. The meals are healthy, varied, nutritious and are cooked to strict HACCP standards. While we don’t have a set menu our meals are your typical wholesome Irish dinners. We know a lot of people do not eat meat on a Friday and we serve a beautiful fresh fish dish every Friday. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know and we can cater where possible. We will also provide a list of all possible meals that you will receive as well as the allergen content for each dish. In the summer months we offer a lighter alternative with Salads available Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Cost of the Service

From October 21st 2024 the cost of each meal will be €7. Each meal consists of your daily hot or chilled dinner as well as either a soup or a desert. Alongside this you will also get some fresh baked soda bread every day. Weekend meals can be provided and these are delivered on Fridays.

Delivery

Obair’s Meals on Wheels service currently has 10 vans delivering meals across the county. Deliveries take place between 11.30am and 2pm daily depending on your position on the route.

Hubs:

Obair’s Main Production Hub is located at the Tradaree Centre in Newmarket on Fergus. In addition to this we currently operate our North Clare service from Lisdoonvarna. Our Inagh-Kilnamona route has been running since 2024 and we now have a West Clare route also.

Get Involved:

Meals on Wheels Service relies on the support of a fantastic team of volunteers. If you would like to get involved as a Volunteer you can call us on (061) 368030 or alternatively fill out the application here Volunteer Application Form and email to mealsonwheels@obair.org. Postal Address Obair, Ennis Rd., Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare. Garda Vetting is carried out through the Clare Volunteer Centre, please see vetting invitation form here:

Vetting Form 2019 Inviter[1]