Older residents in Walsall are discovering a new reason to feel good with the launch of Feel Good Friday clinics, designed to bring joined up care in the community to help people stay strong, independent and socially connected.
Developed by Walsall Together, in collaboration with the North Primary Care Network, the clinics bring together health, social care and wellbeing support under one roof for older adults who may be experiencing reduced strength, mobility challenges, increased risk of falls, or long-term conditions.
Based at The Stand Ball Centre, the clinics introduce a Community Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), enabling people to receive a same-day, holistic review by a multidisciplinary team, and leave with a personalised care plan designed around their individual needs.
Located within a vibrant community hub that already hosts services addressing health, wellbeing, social connection, and loneliness, the clinics provide an ideal environment for holistic, wraparound care. Inspired by successful national models, this three-month pilot marks another step toward a proactive, person-centred, multidisciplinary care model in Walsall.
Eligible individuals will be identified by their GPs and invited to attend. The multidisciplinary team includes nursing, therapy, social care, and wellbeing professionals, work together to ensure care is coordinated, personalised, and accessible.
Feeback has been positive. One attendee shared: “Most helpful day, someone listened to me and cared for me. All very good, GP very nice, OT helpful, Pharmacist helpful, best support I have had.”
Gary Flint, Locality Lead at Bloxwich Community Partnership, said: “These clinics show the real value of bringing joined-up care directly into our communities. By offering early, coordinated support in a familiar setting, we’re helping older residents stay well and maintain their independence. This initiative shows what can be achieved when partners work collaboratively, and I’m delighted to see Walsall leading the way in innovative, person-centred care.”
The pilot supports Walsall Together’s neighbourhood health and prevention goals. By identifying people at risk earlier and coordinating care around the individual, the clinics aim to help older adults stay well for longer, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and maintain independence.
If successful, the model will be rolled out across all four Walsall locality neighbourhoods, ensuring older residents have access to joined-up, equitable care in their own communities.
