RESIDENTS at an assisted living home in Cwmbran will be losing a ‘lifeline’ when their daily meal service is cut due to council savings.

At the moment, the Melin Homes-run Ty George Lansbury in Croesyceiliog cooks one meal per day for its residents.

However, the last suppers will be served on Friday, September 30 and a committee - ‘Save Our Meal Service’ are fighting the decision.

“This was supposed to be the flagship centre which contained everything that elderly people would need,” said Beth Ashcroft.

“It will be fine for the residents who can cope with a cooker, but what about those who can’t? They need supervision – it is a big safety issue.”

Her mother, Dorothy Williams, 82, finds the meal service as a great way of integrating, calling it a ‘lifeline’ and fears being isolated once the service is removed.

“If this is taken away from us, we have got nothing. It is very sad as this is our lifeline,” said Mrs Williams.

“It is all well good if Beth brings me meals, but it doesn’t stop me from being on my own.”

Pontypool’s Melin Homes operate the assisted living home, and the decision over the removal of the meal service has come following a review of their contract.

"The decision to withdraw the meal service at Ty George Lansbury was taken by the council in light of on-going budget pressures,” said Melin Homes’ CEO Mark Gardner, adding the social landlords understand the concerns of those put out.

“We continue to work alongside Torfaen Social Care & Housing to explore alternative arrangements for meals at Ty George Lansbury.”

Residents at Ty George Lansbury are able to sit together in the dining room to have their meal, which offers the residents a chance to interact.

“My father is reliant on the meal service. He is also very worried about not being able to socialise and when the meal goes, he’ll be eating in his room,” said Richard Wills, who made the choice regarding the home based on the meal option.

Mr Wills added that relatives were given a number at the time when they were made aware of the plans, and contact number for relaying their concerns.

“As far as we are aware, this number relates to someone who is on sickness leave,” he said.

Marie Brock has lived at the home for just over a year, and has written to the Mayor of Torfaen and her local councillor as well as the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales.

“We were told about the change, we weren’t asked about it,” said Mrs Brock, adding it will be huge loss to not have the social interaction.

“Some people here are not able to make their own food, which is the option that will be left to the residents once the meal service goes.

The executive member for health, social care and well-being, Cllr Richard Clark, said: “Like all areas of the council, adult services in social care were required to make significant savings to manage reductions in the council’s budget.

“The lunchtime meal service at Ty George Lansbury was one of many savings options put forward to balance the 2016/17 budget and it was first discussed in a joint workshop for all scrutiny committees in November 2015 before being approved by full council in March 2016.

“The meals service is used by a small number of tenants, but I’m acutely aware that however small, changes to service can be felt keenly by those who rely on them.”

“We will continue to work alongside Melin to meet tenants and offer alternative arrangements from our hot community meals service if desired which can be delivered direct to the door or the dining area.”