Snow is no barrier for Civic Enterprise staff

Supporting vulnerable service users is part of the day to day business for many services at Leeds City Council and staff who work for Civic Enterprise Leeds did not let the recent snow days stop them from playing their part.

The Meals on Wheels service reached and supported all 352 clients who required a hot meal on each snow day and ensured that every client received an all-important health and wellbeing check. Meals on Wheels staff even got into work early to ensure the service could be achieved. At a time when many elderly clients could not be reached by family members, the Meals on Wheel’s staff were able to provide invaluable support.

Although many schools had to close because of the inclement weather over recent weeks, the council’s catering service made sure that a meal was provided for every child that needed one in the schools that were open. Catering staff walked miles in snow to support schools, knowing well that many of those schools who remained open were those whose pupils live in poverty, meaning accessing their free school meal was essential. Where facilities were affected and cooking compromised, hot meals were prepared and cooked at the Catering Leeds Transport Hub and Fleet Services were able to provide support with a 4x4 vehicle to transport these hot meals to the school.

Catering Leeds staff also made sure that residents who live at Adult Social Care residential homes were also not affected with staff doing everything possible to make it into work and managers donning their winter boots to heading out to help too.

Staff who work for fleet services, the team responsible for keeping the council’s fleet of vehicles running, worked tirelessly to ensure all essential vehicles, especially the council’s gritters, were able to play their part to keep the city functioning.

Councillor James Lewis, deputy leader and executive member for strategy and resources said:

“Our Civic Enterprise staff from all teams have shown a real dedication and commitment to their roles during the really bad weather we’ve had recently. Our meals on wheels staff went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure vulnerable people not only got a hot meal but also got a much needed welfare visit from a friendly face. Some of our catering staff had to walk to schools and residential homes to make sure nobody missed out on their meal for the day. They should be proud of their efforts and dedication.”