Care chiefs are being urged to rethink a decision to axe funding for a lifeline shopping service supporting older people across Renfrewshire.
The region’s Health and Social Care Partnership has told Food Train that it will not fund its operations locally in the next financial year.
Food Train leaders spoke of their frustration at that decision as they urged them to think again.
Their call comes amid fears about its impact on the scale of the charity’s future work throughout the region – and a concern that filling the gap it leaves could cost taxpayers more.
Food Train’s volunteers deliver groceries to about 150 Renfrewshire residents who cannot get their own shopping every week – almost half of them aged over 80.
John Webster has been one of Food Train’s Paisley-based volunteer drivers for 11 years and said: “We might be the only people they see in the week.
“I appreciate that it’s difficult for the authorities, but we provide much more than just a shopping service to people and their families.”
Having already raised its concerns about the impact of the decision with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), the charity is seeking further discussions with the organisation. It has also alerted the region’s councillors and MSPs.
Photo: Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie
Photo Credit: Food Train
Food Train chief executive Rosie McLuskie said: “This decision makes no sense, either financially for taxpayers or personally for the older people for whom our services are a lifeline. It’s so short-sighted.
“We estimate that if the HSCP were to try and replace what we do with home carers, it would cost the HSCP £50 per person, per week. Our service costs the HSCP £6.52
“And, given the pressure that we know social care staff are under, would they be able to provide the same level of service that our volunteers do?”
Food Train has been supported by the local authority on an ongoing basis since 2013, receiving £65,000 annually in recent years.
“Week in, week out, our team is out there, preventing our members from falling ill because of malnutrition and loneliness. They ensure they have the food they need to eat well and company they can enjoy to live well,” Ms McLuskie added.
“Cutting this funding will undoubtedly harm the scale at which we are able to do this, potentially increasing health and wellbeing problems among older people and pressure that places on the NHS and social care services.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that the HSCP reached this decision without any consultation with us, either about the detail of our grant or the ways in which we may be able to work together differently in order to maintain its financial support.”
Food Train has written to its members throughout the region, promising that it will do everything possible to maintain its support for them.
For most, that involves volunteers phoning them weekly to get their shopping lists before others collect those groceries at Morrisons in Paisley, then delivering them to their homes and helping put them away. Many also benefit from one-to-one meal-making and other befriending services.
The majority of those who benefit from Food Train’s services live alone. Almost a fifth of its members across Renfrewshire are aged 90 and over.
Residents can share concerns they have about the impact of the funding cuts by emailing everything@thefoodtrain.co.uk.
Responses will be compiled and shared with the HSCP.
A spokesperson from Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said: “The Integration Joint Board (IJB) decided in December to end this grant based on the current delivery model.
“However, since then there have been further discussions with Food Train to reconsider a more targeted approach. The HSCP are planning follow up discussions with Food Train to consider all feasible options and will report back to the IJB if there are any proposed changes to the position.”
Photo: Food Train Renfrewshire volunteers Eddie Gemmell, left, and John Webster in Paisley
Photo Credit: Food Train