The charity’s Community Meals on Wheels service provides older and housebound residents with much more than a hot meal; the service is a source of vital social contact for people who might not otherwise see anyone else from one week to the next. Royal Voluntary Service volunteers also perform ‘safe and well’ checks to make sure the older people who use the service have everything they need to stay safe, healthy and independent in their own homes. The charity will be distributing information about the important volunteering roles - and showcasing its new range of meals - at central locations over the next couple of weeks. You can talk to its team on Saturday February 15, 10am-3pm, in the Orchards Shopping Centre, Haywards Heath and on Monday February 17, 10am-12pm in the Yews Community Centre, 55 Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, or on Saturday February 22, between 10am-3pm in Martletts Shopping Centre, Burgess Hill and on Wednesday February 26, between 10am-12pm at the offices of the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), 38 Church Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9AE. David McCullough, Royal Voluntary Service Chief Executive, said: “This is a really vital service for older people and makes a massive difference to their lives. Our volunteers are fantastic and really enjoy what they do; they get as much out of volunteering as they put in, but we always need more helpers to meet the growing demand for the service, especially at this time of year.” Volunteers can choose to dedicate as much or as little time to volunteering as they are able but typically give around two to three hours per week. If you are unable to meet the team on the dates above the charity can be contacted on 0845 600 5885 (please quote West Sussex) or visit its website at www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/westsussex. Royal Voluntary Service supports over 100,000 older people each month with tailor-made solutions to help them stay independent in their own homes. Through its army of 40,000 national volunteers, the charity runs services such as Good Neighbours (companionship), Community Meals-on-Wheels and Books-on-Wheels to alleviate loneliness and help older people generally. Royal Voluntary Service also provides practical support for older people who have been in hospital through its On Ward Befriending and Home from Hospital services.