Cateys 2025: Public Sector Caterer Award: Sarah Wren, Health & Independent Living Support

Sarah Wren is being recognised for her inspirational leadership as chief executive of Health & Independent Living Support (HILS), a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to the health, wellbeing and independence of older and vulnerable people across Hertfordshire, West Sussex and Hampshire.

 

As the largest not-for-profit meals on wheels provider in the UK, HILS ensures that thousands of individuals receive daily, nutritious meals that support their health and wellbeing.

 

Wren ensures the social enterprise goes beyond meal provision though offering a holistic range of support services, including welfare checks, nutrition and wellbeing support, home from hospital food and grocery packs, advocacy and dementia support. These preventative services play a crucial role in combating malnutrition and social isolation, reducing hospital admissions and easing pressure on the NHS and social care systems.

 

HILS tailors menus to individual dietary needs, including high-protein, gluten-free, vegetarian, diabetic-friendly, allergen-free, texture-modified and cultural and religious options.

 

By streamlining operations and leveraging economies of scale, HILS keeps meal pricing affordable while enhancing service delivery. As part of its commitment to sustainability and efficiency, HILS has begun transitioning its fleet in Hampshire and West Sussex from large delivery vans to smaller, fuel-efficient city cars. This shift reduces fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance costs, which contributes to long-term financial resilience while supporting environmental sustainability.

 

Through strategic thinking over the years, Wren has steered HILS to expand into West Sussex and Hampshire, and in 2024 posted a record-breaking year, with 800,000 meals delivered to 7,600 people, along with over 12,800 tea and breakfast packs provided to support vulnerable individuals.

 

The care and thought that is poured into the service can be seen in its latest client survey, which showed that 96% of clients felt better nourished, 92% felt healthier and 87% recovered from a period of ill health quicker as a result of receiving the meals service.

 

Over the past year, Wren has instituted a major cost-reduction and service improvement programme, including a site move and refurbishment and two new kitchen builds. These improvements support long-term financial sustainability while ensuring high-quality service for its clients.

 

The not-for-profit organisation also recently secured funding for a pilot hospital discharge scheme in Hampshire, which provides a week of free meals to older people leaving hospital. By facilitating quicker discharges, this service can improve patient flow within hospitals, enhancing their capacity to admit new patients.

 

Through these achievements, Wren and HILS continue to demonstrate dedication to innovation, financial sustainability and delivering measurable benefits to public sector catering, making them worthy winners indeed.

 

What the judges said

“A passionate, inspirational leader, working in a challenging sector, who goes above and beyond for her team and service users to ensure health and wellbeing are at the forefront.” Neel Radia

 

“An outstanding leader who has made a significant difference to the care sector.” Phil Shelley

 

The shortlist

• ESS
• Tom Pass, Culinera
• Sarah Wren, Health & Independent Living Support

The judges

• Mark Davies, ISS
• Michael Hales, Juniper Ventures
• Neel Radia, National Association of Care Catering 
• Alison Shedlock, University of Manchester
• Phil Shelley, NHS England

If you would like to enter the 2026 Cateys, or you know someone who you would like to nominate, register your interest for updates