This service has been shaped directly by community feedback, with a clear aim to support older residents who choose to continue to live independently.
Director of allied health and community services Mitchell Schwenke said “as a health service placing a strong focus on listening to our community and responding to identified needs, we felt it was our responsibility to act on this feedback and provide a service which better supports our local community.”
Every meal is prepared in the REDHS kitchens and reviewed by an accredited dietitian to ensure it meets nutritional standards.
Once frozen, meals are delivered straight to homes on a regular schedule, packaged in compostable materials to minimise environmental impact.
Community volunteers are at the heart of the service — lending a hand to pack and deliver meals one day a week, and using hospital vehicles to get around.
Mr Schwenke said the volunteer role would be a great fit for retirees, community-minded locals and anyone keen to make a genuine difference close to home.
“We are seeking anyone interested in making a positive difference through meal deliveries and regular contact with consumers,” he said.
Recruitment is open, and anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to contact volunteer co-ordinator Alma Limbrick at the hospital, or at allimbrick@redhs.com.au.
For REDHS, the aim is to provide more than access to good food, helping local people maintain their independence and connection to the community.
This need for local food support extends beyond REDHS — Rochester Community House has seen it firsthand, with its food relief program drawing between 30 and 60 people every Tuesday.
The program runs from the Shire Hall between 11am and noon, providing frozen meals alongside pantry items and fresh food.
Rochester Community House receives support from Foodbank, Bendigo Foodshare, the Rochester and Elmore bakeries, the local community garden and donations from residents.
The steady demand for food relief underscores just how vital both the Rochester Community House program and REDHS’s new home delivery service are for locals doing it tough - or maybe doing it alone.
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