Rising fuel expenses are creating recruitment challenges for Meals on Wheels Jersey, a volunteer-run organisation that provides hot meals to residents unable to prepare food for themselves. According to the service, potential applicants often retreat after learning they must cover their own travel expenses.
Operation and Recruitment Challenges
Maureen Bougeard, secretary for Meals on Wheels Jersey, outlined the difficulties the charity faces when trying to attract new drivers. The organisation relies entirely on a volunteer base exceeding 200 people, with no paid staff members on its roster.
When prospective applicants are informed that driving duties must be performed at their own expense, interest frequently drops off. Bougeard noted that volunteers often remark on the rising cost of petrol. Many of the drivers are retired individuals, and while some subsist on basic pensions, they continue to contribute their time despite the financial overhead.
Some participating drivers travel the length of the island twice within a single day to complete their routes. The service currently packs and delivers meals to approximately 100 people across four days each week.
Funding and Service Agreements
Meals on Wheels Jersey recently received a £38,000 grant from the Jersey Community Foundation to support its work supplying hot meals. This funding covers the charge to the Government of Jersey’s health and community services, which supply and facilitate the preparation of the meals.
Recipients of the service currently pay a cost price of £5 per meal. With the grant secured for 2026 and 2027, the organisation stated it hopes to renegotiate its service level agreement with the government to ensure the continued operation of the delivery network.
