Episode 1 Hairy Bikers' Meals on Wheels

We're the Hairy Bikers

and we've made our name cooking real food for real people.

You're nibbling on it already!

We're here to see if our mission

to rejuvenate a vital culinary lifeline has worked.

Meals on Wheels is a hot meal and a much-needed face to face visit.

Hi, Albert. It's only us.

Ensuring Britain's elderly and infirm are kept safe,

well-fed and in good spirits.

I haven't had a fish pie for years.

Two years ago, we trialled a plan to turn this essential service

into a lean, mean catering machine,

delivering a difference to our grans and granddads

and making it fit to roll out across 21st-century Britain.

Hello!

'Now we're revisiting the two places where we put our masterplan into action.'

Back again!

We're going back to Elmbridge in Surrey and Slaithwaite in Yorkshire.

Today, we're heading for Elmbridge where in 2011,

we rode to the rescue of the ailing Meals on Wheels service.

Got your supper for you.

We want to find out how they're getting on now.

Hello! Long time no see.

'We'll be catching up with old friends.'

You're all lovely and slim on top of it all!

'From long-standing volunteers...'

How are you doing? We've heard that you haven't been very well.

..and even royalty.

-Are you always on carrots?

-I am when you're here!

THEY LAUGH

Now, two years on, we're back.

And we want to find out whether our ideas have delivered a difference or sunk without trace.

It's great to be heading back to Elmbridge.

I can't wait to catch up with the Meals on Wheels gang.

But before we get there, let's remind ourselves of our efforts to reinvigorate the service.

From a peak of 34 million, the numbers of Meals on Wheels

delivered nationwide had plummeted by more than a third.

We'd assumed they were going to be there for our grandparents,

our parents and us, but we were disappointed.

In some areas, daily hot deliveries had been abandoned.

Others had to make do with microwaved frozen meals.

Do you know what that tastes like? A polystyrene tile.

The service was in desperate need of a new generation of delivery volunteers to keep it running.

Days get very long when you are on your own.

'Our goal was to do everything we could to transform

'Meals on Wheels so it truly delivered for all our old folk.

'Last thing we want is to be those two blokes

who've done something for the telly, walked away and it all falls apart.

Our Meals on Wheels legacy was never meant to be a flash in the pan.

We wanted it to last. So, we're back to find out if it has.

Elmbridge Borough's Council-run Meals on Wheels service operates from six centres.

He piloted our plan from one of them, the Molesey Centre,

and we started in the kitchen.

This is where we introduced fresh ingredients

and some wholesome cooking.

You know, good food can lift the soul and the thing is,

everybody, whoever you are, deserves good food.

And the kitchen here relied quite heavily on frozen food.

And they did work really hard on transforming that food.

Let's go and see if they've kept it up.

-Frozen veg.

-It is, yes. Yes.

When we first visited Molesey's kitchen,

it was completely dependent on dried and frozen ingredients.

-Got the walk-in freezer.

-That's a big freezer, isn't it?

'Preparing up to 40 meals a day

'meant that convenience was the name of the game

'for our queens of the deep freeze - long-standing volunteer Gladys...'

86 at the end of the month.

-Are you?

-I hope I look like you when I am 86, I tell you.

'..kitchen assistant Lesley...'

My husband said to me when I got the job,

"Why are you working there? You don't cook."

'..and head cook Julie.'

Milk powder, sponge mix.

-Potato mash mix.

-We do, yes. Yeah.

Frozen food may have its fans

but we wanted the girls to make a fresh start.

Ladies, we want you to have an open mind to what we are going to say.

The key thing is we want you to go fresh.

It's going to mean a little bit more work,

but we want to get you cooking again.

We want to get you cooking cos that's dead important.

We want the passion for what you do

-and the service you offer into that food.

-Yeah.

-Sisters of Mercy, are you with us?

-Definitely.

-Come on! High-fives.

All the way round.

We overhauled their menus, getting the girls going back to basics.

It's going to be more work prep-wise.

The cooking should be fine,

but getting everything ready on time will be a challenge.

'Not only did it have to taste good but we had to turn out

'each of our new, fresh two-course meals for under £1.25.'

If I find a lump in that mash, you are for it!

Over the next few months, the girls got to work perfecting our new recipes every weekday.

Look at Glad's browning! Brilliant that, mate.

I'm usually in the sink. I'm doing some of this now.

It wasn't always plain sailing.

It's not cooked. It is not cooked.

But in the end, the team got to grips with turning out fresh meals

on budget every weekday.

Like a well-oiled machine, here.

Now, you've got a special meal today.

For the people that mattered, Elmbridge's old folk,

the transformation made all the difference.

Very nice chicken and mushroom pie.

-It was the leeks.

-Did you like them?

-Yes. I've never had leeks before.

-Haven't you?

-No.

Not, you know, in my Meals on Wheels.

But we were always worried that the extra work required

could derail our "go fresh" revolution.

-Hello!

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Look, Dave! It's fresh vegetables.

It's a potato. Gladys!

-The Gladiator!

-Back again!

-Hello, sweetheart. How are you?

-Hello, Lesley.

-Still looking hunted, our Les!

-Thank you!

It's like coming home.

# Memories...

# Light the corners of my mind... #

Gladys, it's lovely to see you.

I'm making fresh custard today.

'This all looks promising. There's fresh veg everywhere.'

I'll do cabbage. You top and tail. Beans annoy me.

'But what will a sneaky peak in the kitchen stores reveal?'

-Now, this has changed a lot.

-Walnuts.

-Plain flour.

-Lentils in the back, there.

-Couscous!

-Where?

-Couscous!

-Look!

Yes! Milk! Milk and not a sign of any milk powder.

And look at that! Fresh veg and salad.

It's like the inside of Antonio Carluccio's head.

'Proof positive our cook-fresh mantra is still alive and kicking.'

So, Lesley, how do you come up with the menus these days?

Me and Julie sit down together and go through recipe books

and get recipes off the internet.

-Are you still using some of ours?

-Oh, yes.

'Our Elmbridge lasses are now serving 60 different mouthwatering

'recipes on a weekly rotation.'

This says it all.

"Monday, fish pie, peas and sweetcorn.

"Tuesday, roast chicken, potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

"Wednesday is chicken and ham tangle pie, mashed potato with vegetables.

"Traditional pork chops, dauphinoise potatoes"

and then roast beef on Friday.

Five fresh meals per week.

So, how long have you been volunteering now, Gladys?

20 years, this year.

-She needs me. She calls me her mum.

-Ah!

-You see?

-That right, Lesley?

That is right, yep.

Are you a bit embarrassed, our Les, now?

You've gone a funny colour.

When we were first here, the biggest challenge to cooking fresh

for the girls in the kitchen was the amount of prep.

Without extra help, the didn't believe they would have

enough time to get all the veg chopped and the dishes cooked.

How do you cope with all of the extra prep and stuff?

We have got some new volunteers in.

Some of ours come in at 8.30am to start prepping veg with us

and we've got some that come in at 11.00am

and do the later stuff for the lunchtime.

To help speed up cooking since our last visit,

Elmbridge Borough Council has bought the girls an all-new,

all-singing, all-dancing oven.

It grills, it fries, it steams, it bakes

and it washes itself at the end of the day.

It's a bionic man, not an oven!

Brilliant for me. No cleaning.

Do you want to try the pie I've cooked?

-Yeah!

-Well, yeah! Of course!

-Schnacks!

-Excellent!

-Do you know the last time we were here?

-Bought-in pie.

We had a taste of that bought-in pie.

It was bogging and, I mean, I'd stand by that.

-It was minging, wasn't it?

-It was.

As cooks, we were keen to sample the food

when we first came to Molesey and chicken pie was on the menu.

Make sure you get some chicken. It's slid out of the end.

Do you have to hunt for it?

That looks like a bit of cardboard.

Can't get beyond the artificially chemically taste.

-Get the corner.

-Look at that!

-Look! Proper meat!

'Two years on, will the tasty, fresh pies on today's menu pass our taste test?'

-It's lovely.

-Hey.

-It's lovely.

-It's really nice, good, honest food.

On a day-to-day basis,

I would really love a slice of that with some of that fresh veg.

I'd be very happy and healthy.

How does that make you feel? Are you proud?

-Yeah. Very proud.

-So, this is scratch-built pie.

From the very beginning. Meat, onions, seasoning. Job's a good one.

Handmade pastry. That is fantastic.

The lasses at Molesey are doing us proud, cooking fab,

fresh food that we think tastes great.

We're chuffed to bits, but more importantly,

what do Elmbridge's old folk make of it?

Just lately I had a beautiful casserole.

The meat was so tender.

I've never had anything so tender, not even when I've cooked it myself.

I am particularly fond of the fish I had today.

There is a wide choice of vegetables.

Fresh food is always better.

It's home-cooked. It's not coming out of a can.

I think, to me, they are wonderful. Really.

Two people we really want to catch up with

are the lovely Mr And Mrs Phillips.

In their late 80s, both suffer from severe back problems,

severely restricting their mobility.

But that never stopped them graciously giving their time,

supporting us every step of the way when we were last here.

All I'm saying is, we've been fortunate enough

to meet a couple of diamond geezers coming here.

-That's the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me.

-That's really nice.

Kenneth's discerning eye was invaluable

when we were choosing a new logo to rebrand the service.

As soon as I saw it, I immediately thought of a refuse bin.

THEY LAUGH

Yes! Now you mention it, Mr Phillips!

'And hearing that our new, fresh dishes met with their approval...'

-If you had to rate them out of ten, what would you give them?

-About 11!

'..made us feel like what we had been doing truly had'

made a difference to the people that matter.

'Now we are back to see how they're getting on.'

-I'm quite excited to see them.

-It has been a long time.

-Hello!

-Long time no see!

-Who are these young, slim...

-THEY LAUGH

-You flatterer!

-I love you!

And now you're all lovely and slim on top of it all!

-Good to see you.

-Lovely to see you.

I've got a comfy one. Lovely.

So, how have you been?

It's been two years since we've seen you.

You both look as gorgeous as ever but how have you been?

I've got scoliosis of the back and it's not much fun.

I am getting to be a very old lady.

I've opted out of the London Marathon!

That's not like you, Mr Phillips.

I was coming round to train, you know?

-How was your lunch today?

-Very nice. Yes.

Very good. Since you were here last we've had all these good meals.

Good.

And they are all nice people who come and say hello and have a chat.

And if you're stuck indoors, as we are, it's a great thing.

That's what we were hoping for, weren't we?

That that relationship would develop

and everybody would come in, you'd get great food...

-Has the standard been maintained over the past two years?

-Oh, yes.

-I think they are doing very well.

-We are very lucky.

You can tell that it's fresh. We had some very nice spinach the other day.

Are there any favourites? Do you have any favourites?

I like roast, what was it? Roast beef?

-Roast beef, dear. Yes.

-Yes. And roast potatoes.

-And vegetables. Lovely.

-Not forgetting gravy.

Pat likes some food with her gravy.

THEY LAUGH

-Do you like the chicken casserole that they do at Elmbridge?

-Oh, yes.

I like chicken casserole.

It's got lots of gravy with it.

THEY LAUGH

I can't help it!

-Hello!

-Hello. I'm Dave.

-Nice to meet you.

'A surprise visit from the Phillips' daughter, Linda, who lives about

'an hour's drive away, gives us a chance to get a family perspective.'

Linda, is it a comfort to you when you can't get round to see them every day, is it a comfort?

Yes. It's nice to know that someone is coming in.

If I hadn't been able to come over, you know that someone is coming in

and to keep an eye and if something isn't quite right, or...

They're going to let you know...

-And that's a huge peace of mind, isn't it?

-Very much so.

I just think it's great that you've both become involved in this cause.

It's been fantastic that you have brought it to people's attention

because I don't know how fashionable old people are

-but I think it is a really worthy cause.

-It is indeed.

What's it like having a father who is a complete and utter mischief?

-Is that a...

-THEY LAUGH

-I'd be worried if he wasn't!

-Absolutely!

Thank you, my love. It was lovely to see you.

-Good to see you.

-And you.

-Bye, Mr Phillips.

-Bye-bye. Thank you.

Do you know, it's impossible to underestimate the impact

that Meals on Wheels can have. The benefits to people's lives.

It's the comfort it gives to the children, to the family.

It's a security blanket I think we should be entitled to.

Yes, we should.

And I think it's that ripple effect, isn't it, on a millpond?

When one small act of kindness,

which is fundamentally what Meals on Wheels is,

has ramifications right the way through.

Through the family, through society in general

and it's an enormous, enormously important service.

As cooks, we are incredibly proud that Elmbridge's old folk

are still enjoying freshly cooked meals.

But in these hard-pressed times when every penny counts,

it is crucial they're on budget to be sustainable

and ensure the meals continue way into the future.

'Back at the Molesey Centre, we are catching up with council boss

'Kim Chadwick to see if the sums really do add up.

-How are you?

-We're tops. Yourself?

-Yeah, good.

-You've gone blonde!

-I have.

-Is that so people wouldn't recognise you after being on the first show?

Enough with the pleasantries.

It is truth time, isn't it, really?

Managed to do it on the £1.25 a day budget?

Well, it hasn't been easy because obviously in the last two years,

things have gone up in price.

There have been days when we've gone over, however

we have overall managed to maintain the £1.25 budget.

-That's really interesting.

-That is fantastic.

-That means it's sustainable, you know, and can grow.

-It does.

And there's more!

The Elmbridge team were so proud of their delicious hot lunches,

they've introduced a supper service, too.

The old folk here can now enjoy freshly-made sandwiches

and cakes for their tea, and they are loving it.

The Meals on Wheels questionnaires that we send out,

we are 97% to 99% on taste, value for money, appearance.

So every year, year-on-year, we are improving.

So you've done it.

You done it successfully. Can other people do it?

I don't see why not and if they want to come along and visit us

in Elmbridge and we can show them how to do it, I'm more than happy to show them.

Good food, good nutrition and a good bit of craic.

Lovely to see you.

'Before we meet up with some more old friends, we've got one piece

'of unfinished business in the Molesey kitchen.'

-Hi, Leslie.

-Hi.

Do you know, I remember two years ago,

when you stood at this very same spot

and your eyes met Si's over a pan of steaming custards.

I learned back then that our Leslie had been making her custard

with powdered milk and water for 13 years.

I want you to use milk.

Have a taste. See what the level of sugar is like.

Nice, hey?

-Nearly as good as mine.

-Tell me...

Look me in the eye.

Tell me that you're never, ever going to use milk powder again

-when you make custard?

-I'm never going to use milk powder again.

Give me a look at your hands, because if you are crossing them...

-And now you're using fresh milk, aren't you?

-I am, yes.

I've got a present for you from Dave and I because, to us, you are...

THEY LAUGH

-No!

-Yeah. Look at this! Look! Look! Look!

It's a twofer. It's a twofer.

Leslie, look.

Hey!

-It's too thick, that.

-No, it's not.

-I like it like that.

-Thank you.

Elmbridge has truly cracked fresh food and it's even on budget!

But our challenge was never just about food.

There was an even bigger issue - recruiting volunteers.

'In recent years, Meals on Wheels volunteer numbers had plummeted

'by more than a third, putting the service's future in jeopardy.'

We wouldn't be able to provide Meals on Wheels

on a seven day service without our volunteers.

-'Good morning.'

-Good morning. Meals on Wheels.

'In Elmbridge alone, the volunteers were contributing £300,000 worth of free manpower a year.'

But they were crying out for new delivery volunteers to keep the service running.

It's very cold, isn't it?

And without their generosity,

this daily face-to-face service would simply have ground to a halt.

Mr Thompson, I'm Si. Very nice to meet you, sir. How are you?

The delivery volunteers we met were an inspiration

and we made some memorable friends.

Who could forget dancing girl Gloria Cogle?

She's 90 now and going strong, still delivering once a week.

I volunteered 35 years ago, when I retired,

because my parents both had Meals on Wheels

so I thought I wanted to give something back.

Yours is marked, this one here.

-Two, here.

-For the past three years, Gloria has been partnered up with working mum Josephine Ellis.

Watch your head.

Hi, Albert. It's only us.

And together, this dynamic duo helps Meals on Wheels

meet its commitment to deliver food 365 days a year.

'Nothing stops us.'

We go out in the snow, sun - not that we have much sun - the floods.

-We are out there in our wellies, if necessary. Aren't we?

-Yes.

It's very comforting to think that these people are prepared

to give up one or two days a week for one day a fortnight

or whatever it is, just to keep us fed and keep an eye on us.

I think it's wonderful, the way they give up their time

and they're so friendly when they come to the door.

Always got a kind word.

-Hello. How are you? Lovely to see you.

-Hello, gorgeous.

'Another of the long-standing old guard volunteers here in Elmbridge

'was a lady who became very close to our hearts, our Gracie.'

-Who are we seeing today?

-We are doing Mrs Armstrong.

'Grace Messenger had been dishing out Meals on Wheels

for a quarter of a century when we first met her.'

I feel like a Labrador in here, Grace.

More like a St Bernard, if you ask me!

'And at 77, she typified Elmbridge's devoted band of volunteers,

'80% of whom were over retirement age.'

Grace, do you think we need more young volunteers?

We need volunteers whatever but young volunteers, yes.

People that can put in the time that I have put in.

We are pretty ancient.

We are older than a lot of people we are delivering meals to.

This is today's meal, which is delicious.

'A million old folk across Britain describe themselves as lonely

'and for Grace, volunteering meant more than keeping people nourished.'

It's not just delivering a meal.

It's a social service and it means a lot and it is very important.

It is trying to make people understand that actually,

what you give as a volunteer, you get tenfold back.

You get a lot out of it too, don't you, Grace?

I get a great deal out of it, that's why I've been doing it for 25 years.

A while since we've been here, mate.

'There's no way we could return to Elmbridge

'without seeing how she is getting on.'

-Hi, Grace!

-Lovely to see you!

-It's lovely to see you, too.

-Hi,

-Si! Great to see you.

-Hi, Dave!

-We've got you some flowers, darling.

-Thank you.

How are you doing? We've heard that you haven't been very well.

That's very nice. I haven't. I've just come out of hospital.

I am not sure what was wrong with me but it was a lot

of various things and they've patched me up and I'm back.

The only thing that worries me is my leg.

I find walking very difficult but I use a frame.

With that in mind, I'm guessing you haven't been volunteering recently?

No, I haven't.

I was ten days in hospital and I was very unwell before

so I can't work it out, but it seems quite a long time.

But I'm back next Wednesday.

THEY LAUGH

It's perfect, isn't it?

"I had a week off. I haven't been very well.

"I had a week off and then I'm back at it."

I think it's fantastic, Grace.

My main worry is not being able to walk, but of course

I drive and that is the skill I use.

One thing you said struck a chord with me and it was

about the importance of the human contact from the volunteers.

You said you always made a point - you were never pushy -

-but of maybe touching a client on the shoulder.

-Always.

You know, a little human contact

and there is a lot of warmth in that simple action.

It is. I always say, "You look very good today."

Even if they've got one foot on a banana skin

and the other in the grave.

Well, you have given yourself a week off.

I have given myself a week off and then it's back.

So it's definitely a habit.

Can't quite do the maths but that's into the thousands,

the amount of meals you've delivered and the lives you've touched.

It's a considerable amount of people you've helped.

I've never thought of it like that but I'm sure you're right.

You know, Grace, it is great to see you and we're really,

really pleased that you are going to get back out on the road

because, you know, what you do is absolutely invaluable.

Well, it is lovely seeing you two. I can't believe it was two years ago!

-We can't.

-That's what Dave and I were saying.

-Time is just such an odd thing.

-Isn't it?

-You are an inspiration to us all, Grace.

-Come on, give us a kiss.

Don't get up. For goodness' sake. Lovely to see you.

'She has been not well.'

It is a very stark reminder, as time marches on,

that there is always going to be a need for more volunteers.

But volunteers that are as committed as Grace.

And Grace is representative of a lot of volunteers.

The volunteers themselves are quite elderly

and sometimes elderly folk put themselves on the line

to deliver the food to other people.

We need some new blood, young blood coming in.

-And you know, young blood might be 65, do you know what I mean?

-True.

When we started our mission,

we knew only too well that the ageing volunteer force

shoring up the system in Elmbridge couldn't go on for ever

'so we set about trying to recruit the next generation.'

'Using the council's publicity material, we hit a brick wall.'

I think this might be why people aren't volunteering.

Is that it?

There's nothing on that side, look.

What happens if they come from behind?

We didn't hook a single new recruit.

We needed to start spreading the word that Meals on Wheels

in Elmbridge needed fresh volunteers in a more creative way.

See you in a bit.

'Armed with freshly baked fortune cookies

'containing messages to inspire,

'we set about finding folk with time on their hands.'

-"A life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

-Very profound.

And figured there was no better place to start than the golf course.

It's just to help in the kitchen or help deliver with the old folks.

-Would you consider volunteering?

-I would certainly think of doing it.

You know you've got lots of free time, you are retired.

And you think, "I must do some voluntary work."

And somebody coming and suggesting it to you

and being so enthusiastic, it makes you think, yeah.

-That was a very nice cookie.

-Thank you.

Our renewed efforts to solve Elmbridge's volunteer vacancies

started to have an impact.

Sarah, a busy young mum of two, came forward to help with deliveries

despite being nervous because of her childcare commitments.

Hi, Mr Phillips.

'Something like this is really flexible.'

And I can do it quickly before I go and get Ollie and Josh from school.

Shall I just leave it here? Would you like me to get anything out?

As did freelancer Julie, who felt volunteering

would make her feel less isolated and give her a sense of purpose.

Today we have fishcakes,

cod fishcakes with sweetcorn and peas and mashed potato.

I think this service in particular is fantastic.

One gentleman we saw today said it was a life-saver for him

because otherwise he wouldn't eat a hot meal so it's brilliant.

Such a good thing to do.

We were making some progress in Elmbridge

but to have a real impact, we needed Meals on Wheels to get noticed.

We are doing the world's biggest Meals on Wheels.

It's going to be a big shepherd's pie, a cake to feed 600 people.

'We were convinced that the way to people's volunteering hearts was through their stomachs.

'So with the help of dedicated volunteer Gloria,

'we hit the airwaves in a publicity push.'

We are going to build the biggest Meals on Wheels in the world.

Don't think that Meals on Wheels is fuddy-duddy. It's not.

It's a right good laugh. The people involved are fantastic.

There are volunteers who have been there for 30 or 40 years.

-How long have you been, Gloria?

-I've been doing it for 33 years.

What do you get out of it, Gloria?

The satisfaction of being able to help people.

Enlisting recruits from the local catering college,

we set about making a 1.3-metre, 54-kilo shepherd's pie...

-HE GROANS

-'..and a whopping 20-stone cake.'

CHEERING

Now, here we go. This is the crucial bit.

-That's it.

-"Meals on Wheels. Deliver a difference." Look at that!

'With our monster meal in tow,

'on Pie Day we set off to win over hearts and minds. Look at that!

'Our hope was to sign up 50 committed volunteers,

'enough to deliver Meals on Wheels to around 250 people.'

That's fantastic. Thank you. Yes!

'Our spectacular recruitment drive certainly seemed to get results...'

Please. Step up. Step up.

..with 64 people pledging their valuable time.

I never imagined Meals on Wheels would be under threat.

I always imagined it would be there so we offered to help

and we're going to start delivering as soon as we can.

Getting our message across that the service we are providing

is vital for those people out there.

The food is fantastic. These guys have done a wonderful job.

I'm quite moved that everybody has done it.

The big question is,

two years on, has our drive to recruit fresh blood had an impact?

'Fingers crossed that Molesey Centre manager Jane

'and her boss Kim have some good news.'

-All right, darling? How are you?

-Good to see you.

It is lovely to see you both but this is a moment of truth.

We knew that one of the biggest problems was actually getting

new volunteers, so put us out of our misery.

Have we had any success?

Yes. THEY CHEER

-Get in! Get in!

-BOTH: How many?

THEY LAUGH

There was an awful lot of volunteers that came forward after the campaign.

We've still got volunteers that pledged their support

on the famous Pie Day and are still volunteering for us today.

'That's amazing news and just as well,

'as our publicity drive had another effect.'

When people found out exactly what we were offering here in Elmbridge, with our Meals on Wheels service,

people requiring service went up by 40%.

-Crikey! Thank goodness they are coming forward.

-Yes. Thank goodness.

Because there is clearly a need for it. And that's the thing.

Because we all knew there was a need for it.

One of those who answered our call to the cause back on Big Pie Day

is part-time paediatric nurse Erica Nunn.

At just 44, she is a veritable whippersnapper.

When we went to the big Pie Day,

I didn't realise it was just volunteers doing Meals on Wheels

so when we heard it might not continue

if they can't get volunteers, I think that is a shame, that is.

If people can't make a little bit of effort, you know,

it might be my mum that needs it one day.

Together with 12-year-old daughter Millie, she's been giving up

two hours on the first Saturday of every month,

delivering up to 13 hot meals.

She enjoys doing Meals on Wheels.

It's nice to see a different side of life, really.

Hello, Mr Thompson.

My name is Erica. This is Millie, my daughter. How are you?

Not too bad, thank you.

-You've got a nice garden. Isn't it beautiful?

-Huge garden.

It's just like visiting your neighbour, really.

I'm extremely grateful to them.

I think it is a marvellous service they provide.

I suppose you could say it makes your day.

-You do see a lot of nice people. Bye-bye.

-Bye-bye.

Do you think the future of Meals on Wheels is an optimistic one?

Yes, I definitely think so.

After you visited us last time,

we had a local company contact us to say,

"We've seen the programme and we would really like to get involved.

"How could we get involved?" And we had meetings with Dairy Crest.

And they committed to allow their staff to

use their lunchtime to come out of work to volunteer for us

at Meals on Wheels, and that is fantastic.

This company's forward-thinking philosophy,

actively encouraging staff to volunteer,

is another vital injection of desperately-needed younger recruits.

Hi, Mrs Miller. Meals on Wheels.

'It's given me a whole new perspective on life,'

on what you can do to help others.

It doesn't take anything out of your day

and it makes such a big difference to them.

Currently, six employees make regular deliveries

during their lunch breaks as well as at weekends.

We were told years ago when we were looking for volunteers it's not sexy.

"Meals on Wheels is not sexy."

So maybe you to have made it sexy for us and everyone is coming forward.

That is very, very nice of you to say, Jane.

We have our moments but really, people need to get out more.

THEY LAUGH

The future is looking rosy.

Volunteer numbers are up

and a whole crowd of fresh-faced recruits are committed to the cause.

And for one young man, volunteering has had a life-changing impact.

We first met Grant Harris when he volunteered to help us

construct a herb garden at the Molesey Centre.

More than most, he had reason to volunteer.

Apart from odd jobs here and there, he had been unemployed for three years.

The reason I thought about volunteering is I thought it would be something great to put on my CV,

as well as getting something out of it, also I can get a job.

His confidence had hit rock bottom

and he was hoping that volunteering would boost his self-esteem.

Today I have some lovely, crispy fishcakes.

It is just self-achievement, really. You feel good helping others.

After just a few months,

the power of volunteering had made all the difference.

Literally, after just a few hours of volunteering,

I put it on my CV because it is something different I've been doing,

I handed it in at the job agency and they seemed interested

and since then, I've been working.

25-year-old Grant now has a full-time job.

'Since volunteering I had my temporary job around two years ago

'and when that contract terminated, I still had enough confidence

'to go forward to find myself a permanent job.

'I would definitely advise volunteering to get confidence up.'

Meals on Wheels, you are coming out a lot more happier

because you are making people happy and you realise that

you are actually not that bad at chatting to people.

-You all right?

-All right? How was work?

Mum Celia has never seen him so well.

The Meals on Wheels and volunteering has been brilliant for him.

Just, you could just see him, the boost, the morale it gave him.

We are so proud of him and he is just a different...

I was about to say boy but he is a man. He is just so different.

And the transformation has even inspired her

to start volunteering herself.

I took on one day a week at Meals on Wheels and now I do two days a week

and I'm really enjoying it and it is such a short time out of the day.

It's an hour, hour and-a-half,

and I've really got to know the people and it's just lovely.

It has been cracking catching up with some old friends.

I think it's fair to say that we have truly delivered

a difference to Elmbridge's Meals on Wheels.

Good food on budget and the volunteers are rolling in.

But that wasn't all we set out to achieve two years back.

It doesn't say "join me", does it?

Meals on Wheels? Just fast food? I honestly don't know.

'We realised that Meals on Wheels suffered a serious image problem.'

I thought Meals on Wheels was more kebab vans and ice cream vans.

We wanted to roll out a service fit for all our grans

and granddads up and down the whole country.

And there's no way we could do that without transforming

Meals on Wheels' tired, 60-year-old image.

'So we enlisted the services of a top ad agency.'

This will give Meals on Wheels a chance to shout,

not just in Elmbridge but maybe further down the line, nationally.

Because what we do now sows the seeds for the future.

It's a bit tight.

'And our "deliver a difference" logo was born.'

To spread word of our cause,

'we hit the capital in our battle bus emblazoned with our new branding.'

It's good, isn't it?

-'And managed to drum up the support of the great and the good.'

-Hello!

-'Including Anne Widdecombe...'

-Get me out of the rain!

'..Arlene Phillips and fellow cook Antonio Carluccio.'

Why is Meals on Wheels important to you?

As my dad's dementia increased,

when people would ring the bell he became afraid.

And there would be this lovely, calm voice saying, "It's me."

Calling him by his name. "Let me in, I've got some hot food for you."

For me, producing food for somebody else is an act of love.

The volunteers are little angels, actually,

because without them many things couldn't be done.

I've been a volunteer for 18 years.

-Guess how old?

-62?

SHE LAUGHS

-I can give you another 20 years on that!

-You are not 82!

-She's older!

-I'm 86!

-You are not 86!

-I am!

-What's your face cream?

THEY LAUGH

Our mission to spread the Meals on Wheels message by bringing it to

the fore of the public consciousness seems to have struck a chord.

I watched Si and Dave's work and what was going on with them

and just couldn't get it out of my head, really,

that this is what we should be doing in our community for the elderly.

Jill Thrush works for the Harrogate Neighbours Housing Association,

providing private, residential care for local, elderly folk.

What they have done to raise the profile just hit home.

If they could go into communities and help communities

launch their own service, what was stopping us, really?

With no local fresh meal provision,

Jill and her colleagues decided to use their existing facilities

to start a service of their own, the Harrogate Food Angels.

We have always cooked for 39 tenants here and all we did was

incorporate cooking for the Food Angels,

which at first started off at about 12 meals the first week

and now it is up to 400 meals a week.

The dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers

have been delivering hot, fresh meals in the community since 2012.

There we are, look.

When you can't do any food yourself,

we are very, very pleased with what you people bring.

It's nice to get a meal prepared by somebody else

which you know very well it's going to be very edible

and it's going to be hot and always enjoyable.

I do feel that Dave and Si

gave me the final push to dip my toe in the water.

It's not as hard as you think.

Can't see why other areas of the country,

different kinds of organisations, can't do what we are doing.

For us, every new scheme that gets off the ground is a triumph

and we've had some more good news back down south in Surrey.

On the back of our successes in Molesey,

five other Meals on Wheels centres in Elmbridge

took the challenge of cooking fresh.

And two years on, they are still going strong.

But on our last visit,

we discovered that just two miles down the road, the neighbouring

borough of Mole Valley had no Meals on Wheels at all.

The old folk had to fend for themselves.

I just push myself off and get there and get on.

For residents like 77-year-old retired artist Judith Browning,

a Meals on Wheels service would be ideal.

My illness is called primary orthostatic tremor.

It's just that I can't stand still.

I've got to keep going, sit down, lie down.

I can't stand still at all.

Judith's condition means she finds cooking extremely difficult.

I can get things out of the fridge and put them into the microwave.

That is about all I can do, really.

For anything more wholesome than a frozen meal,

she goes to her local drop-in centre three miles away.

Of course, not when the weather is very bad.

I didn't go out when it was snowing.

I wouldn't dare have tread a foot out on the ground

because I would fall over and I would break another bone

and I've broken arms in the past and that leg.

Something as simple as a visit

and a hot, fresh meal could make all the difference.

To be able to get a freshly cooked meal and have it indoors,

on my trolley, and not have to go out.

That would be very nice.

But change is afoot.

There's now a Surrey Council-backed

initiative to roll out Meals on Wheels to the whole county.

As part of their commitment, they have forked out for a spanking new

delivery van, complete with our "deliver a difference" logo.

The council is also paying for a driver to deliver meals

from Elmbridge into neighbouring boroughs, including Mole Valley.

We can't wait to take a look.

This is our new van that's going to be used to deliver meals into Mole Valley.

-Fantastic.

-It is fantastic.

This is a big step forward, isn't it?

-It symbolises an awful lot.

-It does.

It gives Meals on Wheels an identity.

Apart from the fact they'll get piping hot dinners.

'This state-of-the-art ride has on-board hot trays.'

Snazzy!

Look at this!

'Keeping up to 60 meals piping hot for the journey.'

It comes complete with a fridge.

'It's even got the chiller compartment

'for keeping those supper deliveries fresh.'

It gives Meals on Wheels an identity.

People in the community will recognise that as Meals on Wheels.

Fantastic.

First time I've seen anything like this.

-Do you know what, Dave? I've got a bit of an idea, mate.

-Me too.

Our Glad has been volunteering here for two decades

and to honour her work we've got a surprise in store.

We think we need to christen the van.

We christen this van Gladys.

SHE LAUGHS

And the van be known as Gladys.

ALL: Ooh!

Never launched a van before!

Oh, dear!

SHE LAUGHS

I bet you that you will outlast that van!

Oh, thank you! Mwah!

'As if our new Glad van wasn't exciting enough,

'we've got even more fantastic news.'

Last time we were here, the crowning glory

in our mission to raise awareness of the Meals on Wheels cause

was a visit to the Molesey Centre for lunch

from Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall.

We've enlisted the help of a very, very high-profile individual.

-What are you doing, Grace?

-THEY LAUGH

This person is coming to Elmbridge tomorrow to speak

with you all about the wonderful difference

that your Meals on Wheels service is giving the elderly in this community.

And that person is...

..Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall.

THEY ALL TALK AT ONCE

MAN: Yeah!

-Oh,

-BLEEP!

Excuse me.

She might just like a salad, I don't know.

Might she? I don't know.

The Duchess is a long-term supporter of Meals on Wheels

and wanted to see what we'd been up to.

-And Miss Chadwick...

-Lovely to see you.

-Hello, Si.

-It's lovely to see you, thank you for coming.

-Oh, it's lovely.

-Hi, Dave.

-Good morning, Your Highness.

-Nice to see you.

Thank you for coming, thank you so much.

-Have you been cooking away?

-Yeah.

On the big day itself,

we sat down to a royal lunch, which even included one special recipe

the Duchess herself had donated to support our campaign -

a delicious fish pie.

It's my recipe, I cooked it to my recipe.

We're going to see how good it is.

Good?

-Hello.

-Hello.

-So what made you all volunteer?

'The impact of Her Royal Highness' visit two years ago

'can't be underestimated -

'it helped raised our mission's profile immeasurably.'

We've had some fantastic news.

Yeah, you know last time we were here we got loads of support

from celebs and movers and shakers in the charity world.

-Yeah, we even had a visit from Her Royal Highness.

-Well!

She's only heard about some of the fantastic stuff

that's been going on here.

And she's coming back to pay us another visit.

-Yeah, we'd better get in the kitchen.

-Come on, then.

The Duchess' return to Elmbridge is simply fantastic.

I'm going to take it in my stride this time.

We feel that she really does care about us.

And I think that's terribly important.

Erica, do you want to move up this way a bit?

It really raises the profile of Meals on Wheels

and it raises the awareness that we need more volunteers.

But Her Royal Highness isn't just dropping in for a natter

with the Molesey gang,

we've got official business,

delivering the inaugural meal for Meals on Wheels into Mole Valley.

And Her Royal Highness has kindly obliged to help us.

-Tell you what, though...

-What?

-Shall we not go and get spruced up a bit?

-I'm smart!

I know, but let's take it up another notch.

Come on, ever upward.

Look, the Duchess' recipe for her fish pie.

Oh, she's sent it down, what a lovely thing to do.

Nice frame as well, it's not plastic.

There's nothing that gives an occasion dignity like a royal visit.

-No.

-No, I'm proper puckered up again.

Are you? He's going mad.

The lucky recipient of the first Meals on Wheels

in her borough is our Judith.

I'm pleased that the Hairy Bikers are coming

but it's a bit overwhelming to have the Duchess of Cornwall as well.

The Duchess will first catch up with what's been happening in Molesey

and then will head off to collect the inaugural meal.

-Back again. BOTH:

-Hey!

-How are you?

-You're looking very civilised.

-Thank you.

-I didn't recognise you.

-Is this this diet you've been on?

-Yeah.

Yes, I think it's a necessity of middle age.

We've got your recipe up.

Isn't it lovely? What a lovely thing to do.

It's pride of place as well.

Isn't that nice?

Come here, would you speak to some of the volunteers?

Are these the same volunteers that we had the last time?

-BOTH:

-Yes, some old, some new.

So, I hear you've got a lot more volunteers.

We have, it's been fantastic.

INDISTINCT

It's been a great response.

This is Grace Messenger, who has 27 years' experience volunteering.

-I've been volunteering.

-Goodness.

-I had lunch with you last time.

You did indeed.

-You had my fish pie.

-Yes.

HAIRY BIKERS LAUGH

This is Erica Nunn, who is one of our new volunteers.

-Hello.

-And Erica joined up after our pie day when we made a monster pie.

-This is John Pearce.

-Hello, John.

So what made you decide to do this?

I used to do it with my gran when I was much younger.

Sadly she passed away.

-That's a nice thing to do, I'm sure she'd be very proud.

-I hope so.

Next stop on our royal tour,

we're off to meet some old friends in the kitchen.

INDISTINCT

-I've come back again.

-Yes.

The great thing about what the girls are doing here

-is that it's fresh food.

-Yeah.

And people are really rising to that and they love it.

The menu is great for the week.

INDISTINCT

You remember Gladys?

Oh, I do remember Gladys.

You do? I remember you too.

I was still on the carrots.

Are you always on the carrots?

Well, I am when you're here(!)

It's obviously keeping you young.

What? Who? They do?

We have a nickname for her because she's so full of energy

and passion for what she does. We call her "the Gladiator".

-Don't we?

-Get yourself a badge.

-Yes, we should.

INDISTINCT

It's two years since we met last here

and it has made a difference.

There are a lot more meals, freshly cooked,

being put on the elderly's tables

and we're very proud of that.

Time to head to Cobham, one of the five other Meals on Wheels centres

that's taken on cooking fresh.

They're now expanding their service

and will soon be dishing out meals to residents like our Judith.

Do you know what's lovely?

It's lovely to be able to report something positive.

You know, because it has been two years since we were last here.

It's spreading, you know, it's not just isolated pockets.

There's hopefully a good change.

-But how fantastic... We were talking about expansion.

-Yes.

And the work that Bainbridge has done. It's brilliant.

At the front, an expectant reception party awaits to receive the Duchess.

Oh, there they are.

-There we are.

-Present and correct.

This is Una Taylor, she's been a volunteer here for 30 years.

She's famous for her muffins.

How long have you been making the muffins for?

Oh, about 29 years.

-So you've got them down to a fine art?

-Yes, I think so.

'It's from the kitchen here

'that up to 30 fresh meals per day will be cooked.

'Ready for delivery into Mole Valley.'

Oh, here's the team, here's the team.

This is Janet, who's the centre cook.

-Hello, Janet.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to see you.

'Today's inaugural meal has been chosen by local residents

'as one of their favourites.'

So, what are you cooking today?

Erm, chicken casserole, apple crumble and cream.

-What are you in charge of?

-I'm in charge of the pots and pans.

-Oh, the pots and pans!

-Making sure they're clean.

'Helping us make this landmark delivery

'is one of Molesey's longest-serving volunteers.'

This is a very special person, this is Gloria.

-Pleasure to meet you again.

-Hello, so what are you up to here?

I have the privilege of taking the first meal out...

for the centre.

Oh, that's so exciting.

Because I've been doing it for 35 years.

So I ought to know how to do it!

-So you're obviously the expert that everybody follows?

-Yes.

-Here we are, this is it.

-There we go.

Don't run off with that.

-I was tempted.

-Absolutely, he might nibble it on the way.

The temptation might be too great.

I think we'd better get rid of it pretty quick

cos I'm going to nibble if we don't.

-Yes.

-It has been known.

-They are very bad for you.

-Wow. This is fantastic.

'Just in time, the Glad-van has arrived.'

So, how many meals can you fit in there?

-About 60.

-60!

I'm afraid I've been left with the cake again.

Let's hope it makes it to the recipient.

I think you'll have to have a little nibble on the way.

I'll get into trouble now.

-I'll get into trouble.

-We'll take it in my car!

We're off to see Judith Browning.

-Yes.

-She's 77, she loves her food.

She can't cook herself any more.

So this is the beginning of a regular thing.

And this is the first one.

Isn't it great we've got the Duchess to do the first delivery?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

This one small step for Surrey is a great leap towards

achieving our goal to bring fresh meals delivered

to the door to all our grans and granddads across the nation.

I think it's wonderful.

Very much needed all over the country, I should think.

So I'm really looking forward to having a meal today.

It'll be very interesting to see what they do,

because they cook professionally

and I like freshly cooked food.

Time to make our special delivery.

-Hello, is this Miss Browning?

-Yes.

-I've got your lunch for you.

-Thank you very much, come in.

Thank you, that's very kind of you.

Got room for a little 'un?

-We may have to eat the muffins.

-Yes.

-JUDITH:

-When I've had one or two mouthfuls.

Do you know what, I've lost those, I don't know where I've put them.

It's good to make the most of this, without us peering at you.

So, Judith, what's your first thoughts?

It's nice, I haven't had spring greens for a few years.

Uh-huh.

Cabbage, there's various things I haven't had for years and years.

Judith, what difference will a daily delivery

of Meals on Wheels make to you?

It'll make a very great difference.

-Especially in the winter when I can't go out.

-Yes.

I think it's good for the whole...

system that you're backing it.

Well, I like doing a lot with Meals on Wheels.

In fact, years ago, I think I used to deliver a few.

-Really?

-The meals were very different then.

-Yes.

They didn't look like this,

they were pretty mushy and various shades of grey.

But I think what they're doing with fresh food

and coming out to people like you is wonderful.

I hope it'll go round the whole country.

If the scheme covered the whole country, that would be wonderful.

Well, we should leave you to it.

Let you enjoy it.

Thank you very much.

So you're able to enjoy it to yourself.

We're so proud of the Elmbridge team.

Soon, all of Surrey's old folk will have access

to this vital culinary lifeline.

-Nice to see you again.

-And it's lovely to see you.

See you very, very soon.

It's lovely to have my meals brought to me all ready done.

Because I can't cook for myself at all.

So it's really very good to have it just there and ready for me.

'It's been fantastic having the Duchess back supporting

'all the brilliant work that's been done here.'

I feel very special today.

More places should have this service

because there are a lot of elderly people out there on their own.

I think for her to come and help with that first delivery,

that was special.

You know, Her Royal Highness has lent a gravitas to what

we've been doing, which is massively important

because it just keeps the profile moving

and keeps it fresh and keeps it in peoples' minds.

It's been a fantastic two years. We've done so much

and I'm really excited that we're now moving into Mole Valley.

It's most gratifying that after two years

those seeds have started to blossom.

-From small acorns doth oaks grow.

-Well, I think it's fair to say, Si,

that Elmbridge is a huge success and today has been a wonderful success.

And you know, Dave, I have a feeling when we get up to Slough, it...

I hope, I hope...

that we have the same amount of success.

-So it's north for us, young man.

-Indeed.

Next time, we're back on the road,

heading to Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire.

Meals on Wheels, they stopped them.

Two years on, we want to find out...

..if our plan to start a brand-new Meals on Wheels from scratch...

-Oh, 'eck.

-..is a roaring success.

If we can't deliver these Meals on Wheels once a week,

for the rest of our lives, then it'll be a poor do.

Or will the wheels have well and truly come off?

It's quiet, isn't it? What's happened?

Don't you know?

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