V for Life: The Charity supporting older vegans

Although philosophical beliefs, such as veganism, are protected under multiple laws in the UK, older vegans and vegetarians often find themselves in situations that go against their basic human rights when it comes to food.

About VfL

Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is an advocacy and educational charity, which strives to be the leading authority on diet and healthy living advice for older vegans and vegetarians. Now in its thirteenth year, the charity has enjoyed significant success and achieved wide recognition. I would particularly like to highlight the outstanding efforts of its staff to support older vegans and vegetarians during the COVID-19 pandemic – a group which is so often overlooked.

VfL developed a comprehensive programme of online and postal outreach, targeting age-friendly networks, sheltered housing schemes for older people, carers’ organisations, dementia support groups, lunch clubs, older people’s friendship groups, stroke survivors’ groups, Women’s Institutes, care homes, food banks, healthy-living networks, LGBT groups for older adults, relevant Facebook groups, digital hospital radio, social prescribers, and more.

The chefs were joined virtually by almost 3,000 attendees across 45 organisations, including lunch clubs, care home caterers, carers groups, Women’s Institutes, Age UK franchises and other older people’s groups and networks throughout the UK – offering menu support where required.

Feedback on this new online format was overwhelmingly positive: “Great to be working in partnership with VfL to deliver online and virtual sessions to carers to take a break, get away from the daily routine and come together during lockdown. The session really helped to engage with carers, and bringing the group together online has sparked new ideas and suggestion from carers around future face-to-face and virtual breaks.”

“…a fantastic session to VOCAL’s carers who all learned something new from a chopping skill, about spices, alternatives for the dish and difference between male and female peppers!”

– VOCAL, Zoom cookery demonstration

Our members really enjoyed your session; thank you so much for taking the time to do this. We found that the additional ingredients put a new spin on a familiar recipe and taste tests have been positive from members and family. You presented so well and your set-up for presenting on Zoom worked really well.

– Leith Women’s Institute, Zoom cookery demonstration

I was really taken with the work that [your Roving Chef] put into our session at AbilityNet. [She was] so friendly and very helpful. She was accommodating with a date/time and made an amazing curry. Really impressed and will recommend to others.

– AbilityNet, Facebook demonstration

The number of UK vegans and vegetarians continues to soar, with a staggering 25% of all Brits predicted to be vegetarian by 2025 , and already an estimated 14% of vegetarian and vegans in Great Britain are aged 65 or older . That’s why Vegetarian for Life (VfL), a charity that supports older vegans and vegetarians will be launching a free self-advocacy pack to mark National Older Vegans and Vegetarians Day this October.

The pack will help to explain the laws protecting those with special dietary needs; sources of support if your rights aren’t being recognised; and some simple yet critical actions you can take today to protect your future dignity and rights. These include making a statement of your wishes and care preferences, which future carers should honour.

Amanda Woodvine, CEO of VfL, explains why the time is right for the upcoming self-advocacy pack launch:

Many people assume that veganism and vegetarianism are new concepts – something for younger generations – but that simply isn’t true. VfL exists solely to support older vegans and vegetarians, and increasing numbers find that maintaining their dietary and lifestyle beliefs is not always a straightforward matter. Although philosophical beliefs, such as veganism, are protected under multiple laws in the UK, older vegans and vegetarians often find themselves in situations that go against their basic human rights when it comes to food.

In later life, many of us rely on others for food – whether that is ready-made meals for home delivery, or provisions in care settings. Conditions such as dementia can be an additional barrier to maintaining control over our diets and our identity and beliefs. VfL hears time and time again from older vegans and vegetarians and their families who have been given food that goes against their fundamental dietary beliefs, particularly in social care settings.

This can be through lack of understanding of what being vegan or vegetarian really means; lack of training of catering teams and care staff; or simply confusion over how to interpret the Mental Capacity Act. So, that’s why we’re launching our self-advocacy pack – a one-stop shop containing resources, guidance and tips to ensure that you get the food that you are legally, and ethically, entitled to.”

Email:

info@vegetarianforlife.org.uk

or contact VfL on 0161 257 0887

to request your free self-advocacy pack and VfL will post or email it as soon as it is launched.