A 101 year old woman has become the oldest resident in Wolverhampton to start receiving Meals on Wheels.

Type=image;ImageID=4127;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Mrs Phyllis Coen, who is 101;TitleClass=strong;

Phyllis Coen began taking a daily hot meal from Wolverhampton City Council's Meals on Wheels service last month, and says she is delighted with the delicious meals served up to her.

Now other older people are being encouraged to join the hundreds of local residents who receive hot meals or afternoon teas from the Meals on Wheels service every day.

The meals save residents the trouble of having to cook for themselves, and are also one way in which the council can support vulnerable people to remain independent.

Phyllis, who lives in the Goldthorn Hill area of Wolverhampton, said: "My social worker came to see me and suggested I start taking Meals on Wheels, and I'm really pleased that she did.

"The meals are not like they used to be; I had seen some many years ago and it put me off a bit. I thought that they were not for me, but the ones that are served nowadays are delicious.

"The drivers are very friendly, and it's also nice to know that I will be having a daily visitor."

More than 280 people currently receive delicious and nutritious meals from the council's Meals on Wheels service and manager Sue Lycett said: "I'm delighted that Phyllis is enjoying her meals.

"She's a remarkable lady and very independent. She still lives in her own home - where she has lived since she was 12 - and hopefully having a hot meal delivered on a daily basis will help her keep her independence for even longer."

Councillor John Reynolds, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for City Services, said: "The Meals on Wheels service is very popular with the residents of Wolverhampton. It is open to everyone and provides customers with hot meals and afternoon teas, as well as frozen meals they can cook in their own time.

"I'm really pleased that Phyllis has joined the growing number of people who have chosen to receive Meals on Wheels, and particularly happy that she's enjoying the food that we're serving up for her."

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, added: "The Meals on Wheels service is open to everyone, but it is particularly helpful for our older and more vulnerable residents and is one way that the council can support them to live healthier lives.

"It is also an excellent way of supporting people to remain independent for longer and of maintaining social contact on a regular basis."

Meals on Wheels customers in Wolverhampton have a daily choice of hot dishes and desserts, with traditional, vegetarian, Asian and Afro Caribbean inspired menus available. Dishes range from roast lamb, steak and kidney pie and fish in parsley sauce to mutton, fish curry, spicy fried chicken and lamb calypso and rice. Frozen meals are also available, enabling customers to heat them when they wish.

Phyllis, who was married to Michael for 51 years until he sadly passed away in December, has particularly enjoyed the roast pork and turkey dinners. She said: "They are very tasty and are served piping hot, but that doesn't bother me as I tuck into them straight away. The only issue is that the portion sizes are so generous that I can never finish them!"

For more information about the Meals on Wheels service, including example menus, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=3257;Title=Meals on Wheels; or call 01902 556677.

  • released: Wednesday 11 June, 2014