GREY Matters from Helensburgh has been named the winners of the Jess Barrow Award for Campaigning and Influencing at the Age Scotland 2017 Awards.

The award, which was sponsored by McCarthy and Stone, was given to the group in recognition of their efforts to support older people in the area by tackling loneliness and isolation at the ceremony held at Perth Concert Hall.

Keith Robson, Chief Executive of Age Scotland commented, “Grey Matters have an amazing record of delivering for their area through tireless campaigning, making them highly-deserving winners of this award. Their actions have helped to connect people with their communities and in doing so, has combatted the problems of loneliness and isolation which is affecting vulnerable older people.”

Grey Matters first met in April 2012 when eight members attended. Since that initial meeting over 240 people have attended the meetings.

Grey Matters co-ordinator Alison Gildea said “I am so pleased for the group. They have been meeting every Saturday for the last five years and they have been outstanding in sharing their knowledge and expertise to make a difference to their community and beyond. Well done to all our members!"

The group was formed after a scoping exercise within the community which concluded that older people wanted somewhere to meet at the weekend when most services stopped, they wanted something to look forward to every week and they wanted to have a voice in the community.

The group is supported by Alison Gildea from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface as part of the 1000 voices project. Grey Matters is an older people's forum and social group which host regular activities, outings and welcome regular speakers to meetings.

The group aims to combat loneliness and isolation, which can be more damaging to an older persons health than an unhealthy life of smoking and drinking.

Grey Matters is supported by staff from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface's 1000 Voices Team.

The 1000 Voices team, are funded by the NHS and the Big Lottery and are there to help older people get the most out of life by breaking down barriers and facilitating connections. The group regularly has day trips and weekends away, visitng Edinburgh, Blackpool, West Midlands Safari PArk and Cadbury World last year alone.

Members attend meetings where they can come together, discuss the things which are important to them and go forward as a group to MPs and MSPs with concerns and ideas for the local community. They welcome speakers each week from MSP’s and councillors to national and local organisations and have taken part in training such as Dementia Friends and Heartstart.

Grey Matters has been likened by one member to TV programme ‘That’s Life’ she said: "Grey Matters is fun, though we campaign and raise awareness. All that’s missing is the talking dog!”

Another member said that he knew noone when he moved to Helensburgh but after joining Grey Matters it can now take him up to an hour to buy a newspaper because of the people he meets in the street.

New members are welcome to join Grey Matters who meet on Saturday's in the Guide Hall, John Street at 10.30am.