Our Ambassadors

We are delighted to welcome Lady Sally Grylls as an ambassador for Embracing Age. Sally lives on the Isle of Wight and is an inspiring lady with a quiet faith, who seeks to make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia. We asked Sally a few questions:

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what motivates you to help care home residents and people living with dementia?
It was very hard beginning a new life as a widow. 18 years later I am no less vulnerable and more dependent than ever on God’s guidance each day. I identify with lonely dis-embodied people and feel drawn to support those who have lost control of their lives because of dementia.

All of us at any age can have the occasional 'senior moment'. This is different from full blown memory loss. I witnessed the vulnerability of patients with dementia who, like me, had fallen and were in a hospital fracture ward awaiting an operation. They were frightened and confused. Many appeared to have no family or friends to re-assure and comfort them. So as soon as I was walking and returned to my own home again, I felt compelled to pass on the love I had received from many kind carers, by taking an interest in some of the isolated souls being looked after in local nursing homes.

What would you say you know now about living a happy and fulfilled life that you didn't know when you were 20 years old?
Happiness is a decision – a state of mind. Fulfilment comes through helping those in need.

As I grow older, I hope I am becoming less impatient. When I was a busy grown-up child endeavouring to cope with elderly parents living through the journey of dementia, I did not understand really what was going on. Every member of the family had different opinions as to what might be the best options. It was easy to get irritable and become controlling. It would have been tremendously beneficial to have had an Admiral Nurse to give us advice. Now I am the elderly dependent I understand more about the importance of kindness and compassion from family, friends and neighbours.

If you could pass on one piece of advice to the younger generation what would it be?
Do everything you do with love.