Are you interested in healthy eating and have some time to spare to help others develop good habits and improve their health?
Why not become a volunteer for Age UK’s “Eatwell and Livewell” campaign, a service that supports older people identified as having nutritional issues, whose health may be suffering as a result of being at risk of becoming underweight. Our trained volunteers help support older people to bring about change in order to improve their diet and increase their weight in a healthy way.
Interested? Want to know more? Please contact:
Anne Cuthbert – Tel: 01422 252 040
E-mail: enquiries@ageukck.org.uk
What is “Eatwell & Livewell”?
“Eatwell and Livewell” is a service that supports older people, identified as having nutritional issues, whose health may be suffering as a result of being at risk of becoming underweight. Age UK provide the service working alongside health professionals, including doctors, nurses and dieticians. Their Coordinators and volunteers also work with carers, helping them to improve their own diets and those of the people who they are caring for.
What is the criteria?
In order to benefit from “Eatwell and Livewell”, people should be: –
- Aged 50 or over.
- Be underweight and identified as requiring support – or at potential risk due to frailty.
- Want to learn to eat more nourishing food in order to improve their health and quality of life
How is the Service Provided?
Referrals are taken by the coordinator, from health professionals, and family, friends and neighbours of the prospective client. The person who may feel themselves to be at risk can self refer.
Once a client’s needs have been chatted through, they will be given nutritional advice and linked with an Eatwell and Livewell volunteer. This volunteer will support them in bringing about change. The aim being to improve the person’s diet in order to increase their weight in a healthy way.
This could involve shopping, cooking and eating together, keeping a food diary, or providing recipe ideas to try. Sometimes it’s small changes that make a big difference.
Volunteers
Age UK require volunteers with an interest in health and nutrition, who enjoy cooking modest meals and meeting people. Training is provided for all volunteers, along with ongoing support and out of pocket expenses.