Celebrating Grassy Riggs

A couple of weeks ago, my colleagues Dr Atul Anand, Dr Leona Carroll, and I visited the Grassy Riggs community organisation supporting people aged over 65 to hear what’s important to them as they get older and discuss shared experiences of health and social care. We also wanted to introduce the idea of a "frailty passport", which has been suggested as a way of communicating needs in a common language between people including health or social care professionals. 

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Our group discussion with members of Grassy Riggs was a source of true inspiration. The atmosphere was filled with positive energy as everyone in the group openly talked about the importance of staying active and connected and assessed their own fitness and frailty levels using a tool developed for clinical use (the Clinical Frailty Scale) with adapted infographics. The group responded positively, finding value in identifying needs and seeing the potential for using a frailty passport to ensure shared understanding and improve communication with health and social care professionals, especially given the existing challenges with information sharing between services and care coordination. The group recognised the difference in how they were ageing, and the potential for recording frailty to better describe their problems and needs for support. They provided valuable feedback on how they would like this information to be recorded and who might be involved in this process.

For me, the Grassy Riggs stands as a great example of community spirit and support for older people. Managed by kind and caring Janette Hope, this organisation offers a welcoming space where older people, informal (unpaid) carers and those coping with the bereavement of their loved ones can come together, connect, and support each other.  Grassy Riggs isn’t just a place to drop in, but as Dr Carroll described: “It’s a lifeline for many older people looking for meaningful social engagement and companionship”. The warm, supportive environment here helps ease feelings of social isolation and exclusion that many older people living on their own might feel, providing a safe space where friendships are forged and new opportunities are co-created. Indeed, the need to understand and support older people was a recurring theme during our discussions. Grassy Riggs members highlighted that during COVID-19, Grassy Riggs volunteers stepped up to offer essential emotional and psychosocial support, making meaningful connections when they were needed most. One of the many highlights of Grassy Riggs is its diverse range of weekly thematic groups, where participants can explore new interests, share experiences, and learn from one another. Whether it’s a craft session or a discussion group, there’s something for everyone, ensuring that every visit is enriching and enjoyable. Creativity and care are at the heart of Grassy Riggs, where members are encouraged to showcase their talent, skills and dedication within their community. Whether it's a knitted tiny sweater, a soft blanket, or a crocheted cosy hat, these creations are a testament to the generosity of Grassy Riggs’s members, making a real difference for families in need.

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As many informal carers in our discussion mentioned, Grassy Riggs is an invaluable resource. It offers not just a meeting place but also essential support and understanding, creating a community where both carers and those they care for are valued, respected and signposted to community resources of potential help. The drop-in services are particularly appreciated, providing much-needed flexibility, respite and a chance to connect with others facing similar challenges.

We felt that at Grassy Riggs, the focus is on building relationships, fostering well-being, and ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. It’s more than a service - it’s a community, a family, and a place where older people and their carers can truly feel supported. Reflections shared by Dr Carroll and Dr Anand following our visits further stress that Grassy Riggs clearly plays a vital role in promoting well-being and quality of life of older people in the community:

 The strong attendance at the discussion is a clear testament to the group's dedication to making meaningful changes for older people, not just locally, but throughout Midlothian

It's evident that this centre is essential to the well-being of older people in the community. This underscores the importance of continued support for Grassy Riggs and similar centres across Scotland and the UK.

I'm excited about our ongoing collaboration with Grassy Riggs and look forward to many more opportunities to engage and co-create with its wonderful members.  Here's to a long and fruitful partnership!