Town council's food delivery service helps dozens trapped in their homes

South Elmsall Town Council began offering the service last week, after realising that new self-isolation rules could leave hundreds of residents trapped in their homes.

Almost 50 people are now taking advantage of the system, which offers hot or cold meals for just £3, each day.

Town clerk Clare Baxter said that the council would do their utmost to continue with the lifeline service in the coming weeks.

She said: “We’ve been watching the Prime Minister’s announcements and when he announced that people of a certain age should remain in isolation we decided it would be a good idea for us to redeploy staff to deliver a hot or cold meal option every day.

“We responded immediately. We’re lucky in the respect that we have a cafe based here, so it was a little bit easier for us to get it up in the early stages.

“It’s not just the elderly, it’s anyone in isolation. We take bookings every day before 10am.

“I think for some people there’s nobody checking up on them. This way people can check that they’re alright, even if it’s just seeing them through the window.”

As part of the scheme, South Elmsall Town Council have also been able to redeploy staff who would otherwise have been unable to work, with staff from the town’s nursery and groundskeeping team now involved in the delivery service.

Clare said she was hopeful the service would continue even if further social distancing measures were introduced, and said staff would do their best to assist residents with any other urgent needs.

Contact South Elmsall Town Council on 01977 642335.

Meals can be paid for in cash, by cheque or via bank transfer. Orders must be placed before 10am each day, or can be placed for a longer period.

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