THE Meals on Wheels kitchen is not a foreign place for newly appointed regional branch support officer Lisa Fewins with her days volunteering as a teenager motivating her to pursue a career with the organisation.
Stepping into the position earlier this month, the Mount Gambier resident brings extensive experience, having worked in the aged care and child care sectors and more recently as a cookery lecturer at TAFE.
Already holding an understanding of the organisation and its needs, Ms Fewins said the position was the perfect next step in her career.
“It is fantastic to come back to an organisation that helped me form my love of cooking,” she said.
“It just so happened the job was available when I was looking for something else.”
Growing quickly as an organisation, Ms Fewins will help to train and guide volunteers from Mount Gambier, Naracoorte, Millicent and Beachport to Tintinara and Tailem Bend.
“Moving forward, my aim will broaden the light on what we do as an organisation and make it more well known,” she said.
“We are not just for aged care, but also children and people with disabilities.
“The meals make a big difference to the lives of many and ease that pressure on the rest of the family.”
While preparing and delivering of food to clients is important, Ms Fewins said the organisation goes further than that, ensuring each person’s well-being is in check.
“Our clients love having volunteers come to their door to deliver food and have a chat,” she said.
“Often families cannot check up on them and it is a sense of relief knowing there is someone else out there making sure they are okay.
“This is an area as an organisation we are hoping to expand on.”
Enjoying her time at the organisation so far, the dedicated leader said they are in desperate need of volunteers to assist Meals on Wheels with its growth.
“We have grown dramatically in terms of our client base, so are needing more drivers, people to help out in the kitchen and administration volunteers,” she said.
“Anyone is welcome to volunteer, whether they are young or old.
“We have a 45-year standing relationship with Grant High School and a 10-year relationship with St Martins Lutheran College which has been fantastic.
“The students come in with huge grins on their faces after delivering food, they absolutely love it.”
With big plans in place, Ms Fewins said she was looking forward to her time with the organisation.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Meals on Wheels so far and have been welcomed with open arms,” she said.
All interested volunteers can call the Meals on Wheels Mount Gambier branch on 8725 3839 for more information.
