Hospitals across the UK are under increasing pressure, with full wards, delayed discharges, and thousands of patients medically fit to leave but unable to return home safely. A recent BBC article highlights this challenge. Community-based support is vital to keeping people safe, healthy, and independent.
At HILS, our services are all about prevention. We work to prevent hospital admissions, readmissions, malnutrition, loneliness, and falls, while supporting recovery, wellbeing, and independence.
In 2024–25, we:
- Supported over 18,000 people through 2.1 million caring interventions
- Delivered more than 1 million meals including hot meals, desserts, Tea Packs and Breakfast Packs, reaching 11,300 people
- Carried out 4,300 nutrition and wellbeing visits and 1,800 pop-in visits to ensure people are safe and supported at home
Our Enhanced Meals Discharge Service is an important part of this work, helping people return home safely after hospital stays. By providing free nutritious meals, wellbeing checks, and reassurance, we help reduce readmissions, support recovery, and maintain independence.
Impact for clients:
- 98% report feeling better nourished
- 86% recover more quickly after illness or personal difficulty
HILS shows that hospitals are not the only answer. Community support focused on prevention and safe discharge helps people stay well, independent, and supported at home, benefiting individuals, families, and the wider health system.
HILS are more than just a meal. (Click here to see our Impact Report)
Click here to find out more about our meals services in Hampshire, Hertfordshire, and West Sussex.
Click here to find out more about our Hertfordshire based Active Ageing Service.
Click here to find out more about our HILS wide Nutrition Service.
Click here to find out more about our Community Hubs.
Click here to read the bbc article
