Racecourse kitchens and staff join meals on wheels effort for elderly in Newbury

Newbury has turned over its catering facilities and donated supplies in a new partnership with Age Concern to help meet the increased demand for meals on wheels services among vulnerable elderly people during the current health crisis.

The racecourse executive has donated both kitchen space and £1,000 worth of food, while members of staff have also volunteered as part of a scheme that is also being aided by Swift Couriers and the NHS West Berkshire NHS Trust.

Angela Dudley of Fair Close Centre and Newbury racecourse's Richard Smith preparing the day's meals on wheels deliveryCredit: Newbury Racecourse

Demand for meals on wheels services in the area has doubled since the start of the coronavirus outbreak and Newbury is co-ordinating its response through Age Concern's Fair Close Centre.

Newbury chief executive Julian Thick said: "Working closely with the team at Age Concern Newbury and District, Swift Couriers as well as the NHS West Berkshire, hopefully we can ease some of the pressure on the current services across the borough and provide much needed meals to the most vulnerable.

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the staff at the racecourse, many of whom are volunteering their services."

The new NHS Hub for walk-in patients at the eastern entrance of Newbury racecourseCredit: Newbury Racecourse

In addition to its catering services, Newbury has made a specially adapted area at the eastern entrance available as a specialist primary healthcare drop-in centre for people exhibiting early symptoms of the virus, while in completely separate parts of the site the Rocking Horse Nursery is open to the children of key workers and a blood donation centre has been set up.

All fees have been waived by the racecourse for the use of its on-site facilities during the outbreak.

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