News / Meals on Wheels
Bristol academic receives royal recognition for leading Meals on Wheels
A University of Bristol academic who has played a leading role on Meals on Wheels was invited to meet Queen Camilla at Clarence House.
Professor Angeliki Papadaki, from the university’s School for Policy Studies, joined members of the National Association of Care Catering at a royal reception celebrating Meals on Wheels Week, which ran from November 3 to 7.
Professor Papadaki leads the Meals on Wheels UK project, which created the country’s first national online directory and interactive map of providers.
Since its launch in November 2024, the site has attracted more than 29,500 visitors, and is now used by councils, GPs and community organisations to help people access local services.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, professor Papadaki said her work began at the height of the pandemic.
“My work on Meals on Wheels started at the beginning of the pandemic, when older adults were asked to shield in their homes,” she said.
“We realised how essential the service was – not just in keeping people safe and nourished, but also connected. For many recipients, the person delivering the meal was the only human contact they had in a day.”
Since then, her team has been exploring the wider value of Meals on Wheels – from its benefits for recipients and carers to the challenges faced by providers, such as funding and resources.
The launch of the national directory last year marked a major milestone in making these vital services easier to find and support.
Papadaki added: “The people behind Meals on Wheels are doing a fantastic job helping adults stay independent in their homes for longer.
“At the University of Bristol, we’re working to shine a light on the value of the service and to build the evidence that can shape its future.”
Since its launch in November 2024, the Meals On Wheels UK has attracted more than 29,500 visitors, and is now used by councils, GPs and community organisations to help people access local services
Although the University of Bristol now leads the national project, the Meals on Wheels as an initiative began during the Second World War, when the Women’s Volunteer Service (now the Royal Voluntary Service) delivered hot meals to people affected by the Blitz – a legacy that continues to evolve eight decades on.
All photos: University of Bristol
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