CHANGES to the meals on wheels service could leave vulnerable people becoming more isolated, according to the manager of the service in Cumbria.

Cumbria County Council's cabinet has agreed proposals to modify the meals on wheels service that will see the cost of the hot meals, which are delivered to the homes of around 1,700 people in the county, rise from £1.60 to £2.60.

Reforms to the service mean that people will also get the option of weekly or fortnightly delivered frozen meals, which CCC believes will give people a wider menu to choose from.

Direct cash payments will be available to some people who want to make their own arrangements through a pub, café or local lunch club.

However, Janet Fort, manager of the meals on wheels service in Cumbria, said the changes could reduce the amount of social contact that vulnerable people received from the wider world.

For the full story, get the Gazette