Susan cooked for the Queen now she serves meals to older Aussies... and loves it

Wednesday, August 31 marks National Meals on Wheels Day and the organisation is highlighting the life-changing and irreplaceable role its more than 45,000 volunteers make to the lives of vulnerable, older Australians.

Susan, 76, has been with Meals on Wheels in South Australia for the past eight years. With a career background in restaurants, education and food judging, she initially started in the kitchen before becoming supervisor and then joining the Meals on Wheels SA board.

Now, she is in charge of ordering ingredients for the Brighton branch every week and delivers meals fortnightly out of the Brighton and Hallett Cove branches while also volunteering on a number of advisory committees.

Susan also volunteers for the My W.I.S.E Choice program, Meals on Wheels' new home support service in South Australia helping older people to live independently in their homes and communities.

Susan was involved in a pilot cooking program which educates customers on core culinary skills including meal preparation, good nutrition and food safety. This program is now being rolled out across metropolitan Adelaide.

"Over the years I have built lovely connections with regular customers, learning about their interests and families. Customers are always so appreciative for the hot meal and social interaction which makes my effort worthwhile. For many of our customers, a friendly visit from their Meals on Wheels volunteer is a highlight of their day," said Susan.

"I've formed some fantastic friendships with other volunteers and enjoy catching up with them regularly away from the kitchen for coffee or lunch."

But it's not only the organisation's customers who benefit from the service; research has shown Meals on Wheels volunteers have 10 per cent higher wellbeing than other Australians, and when compared to volunteers of a similar age and volunteer time commitment in a different organisation, Meals on Wheels volunteers still report having 4 per cent higher overall wellbeing.

The research by Huber Social measured the social impact of Meals on Wheels and the importance of meaningful customer and volunteer connection.

It showed volunteering with Meals on Wheels builds a sense of belonging - Meals on Wheels volunteers who have been supporting their community for at least six years reported significantly higher scores across factors related to their sense of belonging.

The more customers get to know their Meals on Wheels volunteers, the higher their reported wellbeing. For example, customers who know their volunteers 'a little', 'somewhat' and 'very well' were found to have positive improvements in their wellbeing by 3 per cent, 9 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively.

President of Meals on Wheels Australia, Sharyn Broer said volunteers are the driving force of Meals on Wheels and without their significant and valuable contribution, Meals on Wheels wouldn't be able to deliver on its mission of enabling wellness, connection and independence.

"Volunteer involvement is crucial to the wellbeing of the people we serve. Findings from Huber Social's national study show just how much impact these caring people have on the lives of the people we support, as well as what they get back themselves."

Mrs Broer said Meals on Wheel had been delivering meals for almost 70 years but the benefit went beyond the meal itself. It helped older Australians remain socially engaged and connected to their community.

Over the last two years many Australians have experienced loneliness and isolation on unprecedented levels but the Meals on Wheels service had enabled vulnerable Australians and volunteers to remain connected to their communities, she said.

"It might be a few hours a week but the power of connection and the real benefits to your health and wellbeing mean our volunteers always get back more than they give," Mrs Broer said.

Find out more about volunteering with Meals on Wheels in your local area here

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