STOW Lunch Club has launched a new directory for older people living in the Gala Water area.

Members wanted to produce an index that contains information about activities, services and organisations provided in the local community so people are aware of what is available.

The club has now produced the leaflet for the older generation who don’t have access to the internet.

The handy-sized booklet will be available through older people’s groups in the area as well as village halls, local shops and Stow Medical Centre.

Jessica Troughton, who is a member of the Lunch Club, told us: “This was an idea that we had been discussing periodically for some time as we felt there were a number of people in the Stow area who weren’t aware of the range of activities and services available both locally and nationally that might be of interest to them. 

“While such information can be found online nowadays, not everyone has access to a computer and we thought that a paper directory would be something that could be really useful.

“We were also conscious that we are quite a rural community and wanted to do what we could to lessen social isolation for anyone who might not know of activities going on. This could help reduce that.”

The club was approached by the local authority’s Community Capacity Building Team who worked with them.

Jessica added: “Once we realised that we could actually make this happen, we spent a great deal of time thinking about and pulling together all the information that we wanted to include before it went away to be designed. 

“Then we had time to look over the proofs to make sure we were happy with it all before it finally went to print.

“It is wonderful to see our vision become a reality with the actual copies of the directory now ready to be shared with the people for whom it was created.”

As well as details of local organisations and contact numbers, the guide also lists handy emergency numbers and details of how to contact Scottish Borders Council services.

Elaine Torrance, who is the interim chief officer of health & social care integration at the local authority, told the Border Telegraph: “The focus of the CCBT is to work alongside older people in local communities and support them to have a greater say in what is important to them and what they would like to see happening. 

“They continue to make a hugely important and positive contribution and it is part of the team’s role to see what is working well already but then see what they can do to support filling any gaps. This directory is a wonderful example of that process in action. I am sure it will prove to be an extremely useful resource, not only for older people but also their families, carers and the professionals who support them.”