Rising Fuel Prices Deter Potential Volunteers for Jersey Meal Delivery Service

Meals on Wheels Jersey is reporting significant difficulties in recruiting new volunteers to deliver hot meals to residents in need, citing rising fuel prices as a primary barrier. The charity, which serves approximately 100 people four days a week, operates entirely on volunteer staff with no paid employees.

Maureen Bougeard, the organization’s secretary, confirmed that the service recently secured a £38,000 grant from the Jersey Community Foundation. This funding supports the supply of meals to islanders who are unable to prepare their own food and covers the charges levied by the island’s health and community services. The grant is valid for the years 2026 and 2027.

Despite the financial support, Bougeard noted that recruitment remains challenging because prospective drivers are often deterred by the requirement to cover their own travel expenses. “Very often volunteers say, you know, ‘the petrol’s getting expensive,'” she explained. She added that when she distributes information stating that drivers must cover their own costs, potential applicants frequently stop responding.

The service currently benefits from a network of more than 200 volunteers. However, the existing drivers face demanding routes, with some covering the length of the island twice in a single day. Bougeard highlighted that the majority of these volunteers are retired individuals, some of whom are on basic pensions.

“I’m not saying everyone has a poor pension, not everyone is on the basic pension, but some are and they still manage to come and volunteer, which is absolutely fabulous,” Bougeard said.

Recipients of the meal delivery service currently pay a cost price of £5 per meal. Meals on Wheels Jersey is now hoping to renegotiate its service level agreement with the government to ensure the long-term continuity of the operation.