Meals on wheels West Sussex guide: food, shopping and transport

Yes, meals on wheels in West Sussex still exists. Hot meals are delivered across the county, including Worthing and Adur, by the charity HILS (Health and Independent Living Support), working in partnership with West Sussex County Council. You do not need a council referral — the person, a family member or a professional can contact HILS directly.

Arranging care in London? Read our guide: Meal preparation and meals-on-wheels options in London.

This guide covers hot and frozen meal delivery, help with shopping, community transport such as Dial-a-Ride, and simple ways to make sure an older person is eating and drinking enough.

Meals on wheels West Sussex: how it works

HILS delivers hot, ready-to-eat meals to older, disabled and housebound people across West Sussex, all year round. Each delivery includes a short wellbeing check, so the driver notices if the person is unwell or has not answered the door. For someone living alone, that daily contact can matter as much as the meal.

• What you get: a hot main meal and dessert, with extras such as tea packs and breakfast packs available.
• Cost: at the time of writing, a hot meal and dessert costs a little over £9 including delivery. Prices change, so check with HILS.
• How to sign up: use the online referral form on the HILS West Sussex page, or call 0330 2000 103.
• Council-funded care: people whose care is funded by the council may qualify for a reduced price.

HILS advises that hot meals should be eaten when they are delivered and not saved and reheated later. If your relative tends to leave food, a frozen meal service or a care visit at lunchtime may suit them better.

Frozen meal delivery

If hot delivery does not fit the person’s routine, private frozen meal services deliver a stock of ready meals to the freezer. Wiltshire Farm Foods is one of the best-known national services, offering a wide range of meals, including softer options for people who find chewing or swallowing difficult. Supermarkets also sell ready meals for online delivery.

Frozen meals only work if someone can heat them safely. That usually means a microwave the person can use confidently, or a carer who visits at mealtimes.

Shopping help for elderly people

There are several ways to take the strain out of shopping. Most families end up combining two or three of them.

Online supermarket delivery

A family member can place a weekly order online and have it delivered, even if they live elsewhere. Save a regular basket so the order takes minutes. Ask the supermarket whether it offers any extra help for older or disabled customers — options vary and change over time.

Help from a carer

Home carers and companion carers can write a shopping list with the person, go shopping with them or for them, and put the shopping away. Going together keeps the person active and gives them some choice. See our guides to domestic care at home and home help.

Volunteers and community support

Volunteer transport schemes can take people to the shops, and local community groups sometimes help with errands. The West Sussex Connect to Support directory lists local services by area, and Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove can suggest what is available nearby.

Dial a ride West Sussex and community transport

For people who find buses difficult, community transport can get them to the shops, appointments and social activities. These services cover Worthing and Adur:

• Dial-a-Ride (Community Transport Sussex): a door-to-door service with wheelchair-accessible vehicles for people who find public transport hard because of disability or mobility. The Worthing depot covers the area from Portslade to Littlehampton, for shopping trips, GP and hospital appointments and social visits. Book on 01903 530053, 9:30am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Regular weekly slots can be arranged, subject to availability. Details are on the Community Transport Sussex Worthing page.
• Royal Voluntary Service Adur & Worthing Voluntary Transport: volunteer drivers take older and less mobile people to appointments, shops and social events. Call 01903 851558 (9:30am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday).
• Worthing Shopmobility: hires mobility scooters and wheelchairs for getting around town.
• Accessible taxis: Adur & Worthing Councils list wheelchair-accessible taxi firms on their accessible transport page.

Fares and eligibility vary, so ask when you register. For hospital appointments, the NHS may provide non-emergency patient transport for people who meet medical criteria — ask the hospital or GP. Our guides to transport support for older people and community access support cover more options.

Eating well and staying hydrated

Poor appetite and not drinking enough are common in later life, and both can lead to falls, confusion, urine infections and slower recovery from illness. The NHS recommends drinking 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, milk, tea and coffee all count.

Practical tips

• Little and often: small meals and snacks through the day are easier than three large meals.
• Make drinks visible: leave a filled jug or bottle within reach, and offer a drink at every visit.
• Use foods with water in them: soup, jelly, yoghurt, fruit and ice lollies all help with fluid intake.
• Make food easy to eat: soft foods, finger foods and adapted cutlery can help people with arthritis, tremor or dementia.
• Eat together: people often eat more with company. A lunch club, a family meal or a carer sitting with them can help.
• Check the fridge: out-of-date food or untouched meals are early warning signs that someone is not coping.

When to speak to the GP

Talk to the GP if the person is losing weight without trying, has clothes or rings that have become loose, has trouble chewing or swallowing, or seems more confused than usual. The GP can check for underlying causes and refer to a dietitian or speech and language therapist if needed. Our guide to signs an elderly parent needs care covers other warning signs.

If meals and shopping are part of a wider picture of someone struggling at home, a few hours of home care a week may help. Our guide on how to arrange home care explains the options.

Frequently asked questions

Is meals on wheels still available in Worthing?

Yes. HILS delivers hot meals across West Sussex, including Worthing and Adur, in partnership with West Sussex County Council. You can refer yourself or a relative online or by phone.

Do you need a referral for meals on wheels in West Sussex?

No. Individuals, families and professionals can all refer directly to HILS. People with council-funded care may qualify for a reduced price.

How much does meals on wheels cost?

At the time of writing, a hot meal and dessert from HILS costs a little over £9, including delivery and a wellbeing check. Check the current price with HILS, as it can change.

Who can use Dial-a-Ride in Worthing?

Dial-a-Ride is for people who find public transport difficult because of disability or mobility problems. You register with Community Transport Sussex and then book trips by phone.

Can a carer do my mum’s shopping?

Yes. Home care and companionship agencies can shop with or for the person as part of a visit. Agree in advance how money and receipts will be handled.

The Care Panel is an independent publication. We are not a care provider and are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission, because we do not deliver care. Always check a provider’s own CQC registration and inspection report before you commit.

Written and fact-checked by The Care Panel. Last updated September 2026. Sources: HILS West Sussex meals service, West Sussex County Council, Community Transport Sussex, Royal Voluntary Service, Adur & Worthing Councils accessible transport, NHS water, drinks and hydration guidance. General information, not financial, legal or medical advice — figures are indicative and subject to change.

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 15 October 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.