There is a growing awareness in the vegetarian and vegan community for the needs for those in institutions.

This could be through an unexpected need to go into hospital or through being in long-term care of some sort, or even prison. Schools, colleges, hospitals, care homes, nursing homes and psychiatric units are all relevant, so a huge number of people could benefit.

In all cases vegans and vegetarians need to be properly catered for, however tight the budgets. If vegan meals are always available then the widest variety of dietary needs will be covered (including dairy intollerance and many religious diets). Thus concentrating on vegan options is the way to go for all veggie work in this area.

The Vegan Society has plans to grow its existing support of vegans in institutions, and to help educate the caterers and their governing bodies on what's needed.

We have links at the end of this page for general and specialist help in a growing number of areas, including for schools.

Can you help?

Funding

If you are a member of the Vegan Society you will be supporting advocacy and eduction in institutions already, but any extra contributions you can give them or people you can encourage to join would really help.

Giving the benefit of your knowledge and experience

If you have expertise of or experience at dealing with institutions or their governing bodies, particularly on the catering side, then please let us know so we can connect you in with future work in this area. All sorts of ideas and feedback could be useful.

Do you represent an institution that needs special diet input?

ActiVeg would love to hear from you to help put you in touch with people and point you towards materials. We can be an ear for your issues and concerns, and informally give support too. We are here to help. Please contact us.

Organisations that can help you

Whether you representing an organisation who would like to know more, or an individual or carer who needs support, there is already a lot of help out there.

General and wide ranging help

• the Vegan Society - materials, practical support, nutrition expertise, catering guides
• the Vegetarian Society - materials, practical support, vegetarian nutrition expertise, catering guides, speakers network
• ActiVeg is the hub of a network of vegan contacts who can help you, so take a look at our contacts listing, or we can advise on who might be your best bet, so feel free to contact us. Some are also available for public speaking.

Specialist organisations

• the Vegetarian Housing Association (Homes for Elderly Vegetarians - sheltered housing for vegetarians in Hastings and Colwyn Bay.
• Veggies catering campaign - already providing vegan catering inschools and happy to help support others doing so.
• the Vegan Prisoners Support Group (VPSG) - originally set up just for animal rights vegans, and now starting to cover all vegan prisoners, without judging their crimes. The Vegan Society provides much practical support to the VPSG.