A CHARITY has relaunched a vital service to prevent older and vulnerable people in the Craven area from going hungry during the lockdown.

Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington has resumed its popular Meals At Home service – delivering two-course home-cooked hot meals to people’s doors for just £6.50.

And the charity is appealing for volunteers to help deliver the nutritious meals, as well as to support a “Good Friends” initiative aimed at tackling isolation and loneliness amongst vulnerable people in the area.

The Meals At Home service had to pause at the end of September while arrangements were made to bring the service in-house. With funding secured from Stronger Communities, the charity has now been enable it to reopen its own kitchen at The Swadford Centre, in Skipton.

That means the meals can restart being delivered to people’s homes between 12 and 2pm Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Hayley Kitching as Age UK’s regional services manager for South Craven and Harrogate, starting on November 30, is another sign of local investment and long-term commitment by the charity.

Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington chief executive, Helen Hunter, said: “We are delighted to be back in a position to be able to offer the invaluable Meals At Home service to the people of Skipton and Craven.

“It is also a great pleasure to welcome Hayley to the organisation and we look forward to building on our services to the local community.”

• Anyone wishing to volunteer to help deliver the meals, or to befriend older and vulnerable people, should call 01756 529654.