The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
ONE of Clare’s most successful community organisations is to expand one of its key services to a number of other areas in the county.
Obair Community Development Organisation is expanding its Meals on Wheels service which has been running from Newmarket on Fergus since 2012 to parts of North, East and West Clare.
The initiative is being supported by HSE Mid West Community Healthcare.
Obair has been in existence in Newmarket on Fergus for over 30 years and has been providing Meals on Wheels since 2012.
The community based organisation works with people of all ages to combat social exclusion, as well as supporting older people in the community through the provision of Meals on Wheels. Meals are available primarily to older and retired people who might not be able to cook for themselves due to increasing age, ill-health or isolation.
Obair currently provide approximately 200 service users with Meals on Wheels over seven days a week. Currently the service covers Shannon, Ennis, Newmarket on Fergus, Bunratty, Doora, Clarecastle, Quin, Dangan, Kilkishen, Kilmurry, Sixmilebridge and Cratloe.
Over the next six months, this service will expand to include areas in: East Clare including Tulla, Feakle, Scariff, Bodyke, O’Callaghans Mills and Broadford; areas in West Clare including The Loop Head Peninsula, encompassing Doonbeg, Kilkee, Kilbaha and Carrigaholt; and areas in North Clare including Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Fanore and Ballyvaughan. This will provide an additional 160 meals a day to older people in the community.
Hot meals are delivered five days per week with two cold meals provided on a Friday for Saturday and Sunday.
These two-course hot meals are produced in Obair’s Tradaree Centre in Newmarket on Fergus and are delivered direct to the homes of people by a team of community volunteers.
The opening of Obair’s Tradaree kitchen received significant capital support from LEADER, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme through Clare County Council, the Tomar Trust and the HSE.
The expansion of the service in Clare supports the concept that “nobody should be alone”.
A spokesperson said, “The volunteers are crucial to this service across Clare. They are the point of contact with the clients and as well as delivering food, they also provide that bit of social interaction that is so important; asking them how they are, do they need anything and giving them all the local news, which to some is nearly as important as the meal!.
“The dedication and commitment of our volunteers is invaluable, and their acts of kindness are essential in allowing this service to be expanded.”
This service may not cover all areas in Co. Clare at this time. It is hoped in the future that it will expand to all areas of Co Clare.
Orla Meehan, General Manager, Obair said: “Obair are privileged to be in a position to expand our meals on wheels service for elderly people in Co Clare. Meals on Wheels is a volunteer led, community based service and we look forward to working in new communities to bring this vital service to areas of North, West and East Clare.”
Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare says: “The HSE is delighted to support this expansion of Obair’s Meals on Wheels service. The commitment of Obair’s staff and volunteers will ensure that this service continues to provide hot meals to more people in more parts of Clare, but also an important social support.
“Throughout COVID in particular, this was a vital resource for many and I am pleased that this will now be the case in many more communities in East, West and North Clare.”
If you would like to register your interest in having meals delivered to your area please contact Obair.
For anyone aged over 65 who may be interesting in accessing this service, please contact Obair as follows: Obair, Ennis Road, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare, V95 X0NY. Phone: 086 785 1620 / 061-368030. E-mail: mealsonwheels@obair.org
