RICH Voices

ENRICH Scotland

Welcome to the RICH Voices podcast. RICH Voices (standing for Research In Care Homes Voices) are the lived-experience group of Enabling Research In Care Homes (ENRICH) Scotland and they have contributed to designing this podcast. Originating from the need to have more accessible information about care home research, this short series focusses on the benefits and impacts of care home research, the challenges, and future directions for care home research. We will be speaking to the people behind the research, including people working in care homes, family members and researchers.

Episodes

  1. Sep 2

    Care Home Research: Lived Experience Insights

    In our third episode, we explore care home research from a lived experience perspective. We speak with Claire Stevens, whose husband Kenny now lives in a care home; David Ross, who supported his wife Anne through her transition to a care home during COVID-19; and Martin, a lived experience researcher living with posterior cortical atrophy. We've brought their separate conversations together to explore: why care home research matters to relatives and residents, the challenges they face when supporting or participating in studies, and how to foster greater involvement and collaboration. We also discuss the journey of supporting a loved one's transition to care, and preparing for the possibility of one's own future care needs. Join us as we explore care home research through these important perspectives and discover what truly matters to relatives and residents. Find out how ENRICH Scotland and RICH Voices support care home research. https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-in-scotland/facilities/enrich⁠ Co-designed by members of the RICH Voices PPI group Music by Anna Bryan Recorded and edited by Denise Grassick-Munro Thank you to our guests: Claire Stevens Claire Stevens supports her husband Kenny, who currently lives in a care home. She is actively involved in supporting and participating in research, and has supported – and championed – her husband's involvement in studies. Claire is also a member of the RICH Voices Patient and Public Involvement group. David Ross David supported his wife, Anne, through her move to a care home on the very day COVID-19 lockdowns began. For three months, he could only see Anne through a window - a poignant reminder of the extraordinary challenges families faced during that time. David has since become actively involved in shaping dementia research through the Patient and Public Involvement group, Partners in Research, where he has been a dedicated member since 2021. Through his involvement, David has developed strong research experience and skills, giving him invaluable insights into both research and the lived reality of care.  Martin Robertson Martin is a lived experienced researcher with a diagnosis posterior cortical atrophy. Martin has developed a varied portfolio of experience of research into neurodegenerative conditions. Martin also has prior experience of working in a care home and is considering his own potential care needs. About the hosts: Dr Rosalie Ashworth Rosie Ashworth is the lead for RICH Voices and lead for Partners in Research, the 'patient and public involvement' groups for ENRICH Scotland and NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network respectively. As a research psychologist with a background in dementia research, Rosie has a passion for working closely with people with lived experience in research-related activities. Denise Munro As Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Officer, Denise works with RICH Voices, the PPI group for ENRICH Scotland, and Partners in Research, the PPI group for the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. With a science communication focus, I am interested in making science more accessible, interesting and relevant to the public, and how we can use modern media to improve reach. Denise is particularly passionate about supporting members of the public to contribute their lived experience to research and improving access for individuals and communities who are traditionally excluded.

  2. 11/26/2025

    Care Home Research in Practice: Insights from Care Homes

    In this episode, we chat to care home managers Kirsty Cartin and Shona MacDonald, Education and Dementia Coordinator Cheryl Henderson and Clinical Studies Officer Diane Frew to explore what research looks like in real-world care settings. They discuss how they support research on the ground, the benefits for residents and staff, successes, hurdles and their ideas for making research more inclusive and accessible. Co-designed with RICH Voices PPI group Music by Anna Bryan Recorded and edited by Denise Grassick-Munro Thank you to our guests: Kirsty Cartin - Care Home Manager A dedicated and passionate care home nurse with over 20 years of experience in the sector. Kirsty’s career spans both private and charitable organisations, where she has progressed to management level. Kirsty currently manages Rashielee Care Home in Erskine and was awarded RCN Scotland Nurse of the Year in 2024. Kirsty’s professional interests focus on the wellbeing of residents, their carers, and staff, as well as promoting the profile of care home nursing. Kirsty also runs the 'Just a Care Home Girl' Twitter account (@Justacarehomeg1), where she advocates for and shares insights about care home nursing. Shona MacDonald - Care Home Manager Shona MacDonald is the manager of Abbotsford Care Home in Glenrothes and has been working in nursing homes for over 13 years. Shona is passionate about looking after residents with dementia and at end of life, as well as making sure that the home looks after their families and friends, and the dedicated staff. At the time of recording this episode, Shona managed Braeburn Care Home in Lothian. Cheryl Henderson - Education and Dementia Coordinator After qualifying as a nurse, Cheryl moved to Scotland and applied for a care home job as a ‘temporary measure’, over 30 years later Cheryl is still working in this most rewarding sector of Health Care. With a passion for both dementia and developing others, Cheryl now works in her dream role doing both these things as an Education and Dementia Coordinator at Elder Homes Ltd. Along with Professor Susan Shenkin, Cheryl co-chairs the Care Home Innovation Partnership (CHIP), part of ENRICH (Enabling Research in Care Homes) Scotland, giving her the opportunity to help embed more research opportunities within Elder Homes. Diane Frew – Clinical Studies Officer, ENRICH Scotland Diane has been a Clinical Studies Officer (CSO) since 2021. She is CSO for ENRICH Scotland and the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. Since starting a career in the care home sector in 2014 as a HCSW in Bonnie auld Ayrshire and Arran. Diane has trained as an RMN and registered as a Mental Health Nurse in 2020, leading to a move up to Glasgow. Now, with over 10 years' experience of working in the care home and older adult care sector. She is keen to support change, and advocates for improvement in the services. Diane is keen to keep building a bridge to support the care home sector, and has written a blog which tells how her journey began.

  3. 07/25/2025

    Setting the scene: Care Home Research

    In our first episode, we explore the fundamentals of care home research, the role of ENRICH Scotland in supporting this vital work, and how you can get involved. Featuring discussions from 2023 with ENRICH Co-Chairs, Professor Susan Shenkin and Dr Emma Law, as well as Dr Jenni Burton, a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and Honorary Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine. Listen as we explore how care home research is improving the lives of people living or working in care homes and how ENRICH Scotland and RICH Voices are supporting this critical research. Find out more about ENRICH Scotland at: https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/research-in-scotland/facilities/enrich Co-designed by members of RICH Voices PPI group Music by Anna Bryan Recorded and edited by Denise Grassick-Munro Professor Susan Shenkin Susan joined Emma Law as co-chair of ENRICH Scotland in2019 and they have worked together as part of the interdisciplinary team to build the infrastructure of ENRICH and to work with the Chief Scientist Office to secure funding. Susan also co-chairs the Lothian CHIP (Care Home InnovationPartnership) and is a strong advocate for working across disciplines to promote research to understand and improve the care for care home residents, their families and those who care for them. Susan has been working as a clinicalacademic in geriatric medicine at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian since 2011, with main interests in cognitive ageing/delirium & dementia, and the health and care of residents and staff of care homes, in particular therole of data and technology. *Note that since the discussion featured on this episode, Susan has been promoted to Professor. Dr Emma Law As Co-Chair of ENRICH Scotland, Emma is actively involvedin decisions around how ENRICH Scotland is shaped in partnership with Professor Susan Shenkin. This is an exciting and progressive time, enabling ENRICH Scotland to engage with care homes and all those who live, work and visit them in thinking about research and how we can enhance and change practice, using the most up-to-date ideas. Emma is also the strategic manager for the NRS Scotland Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network (NDN) where she works on strategies to include underserved groups in our society in research. These may include those living in remote and rural locations, marginalised communities such as LGBTQ+, or the oldest old, to name a few. Dr Jenni Burton Jenni is a Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine. Passionate about care of the elderly, Jenni is keen to engage with other researchers to collaborate on research projects which can help to make a meaningful contribution to improving the lives of older people. The hosts Dr Rosalie Ashworth Rosie Ashworth is the lead for RICH Voices and lead forPartners in Research, the 'patient and public involvement' groups for ENRICH Scotland and NRS Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network respectively. As a research psychologist with a background in dementia research, Rosie has apassion for working closely with people with lived experience in research-related activities. In recent years, Rosie has worked with people living with dementia to co-write a book about their experiences, and is in theprocess of developing co-research with people living with neuroprogressive conditions. Denise Munro As Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Officer, I workwith RICH Voices, the PPI group for ENRICH (ENabling Research In Care Home) Scotland, and Partners in Research, the PPI group for the Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network. With a science communication focus, I am interested in making science more accessible, interesting and relevant to the public, and how we can use modern media to improve reach. I am particularly passionate about supporting members of the public to contribute their lived experience to research and in improving access for individuals and communities who are traditionally not included.

    Setting the scene: Care Home Research

About

Welcome to the RICH Voices podcast. RICH Voices (standing for Research In Care Homes Voices) are the lived-experience group of Enabling Research In Care Homes (ENRICH) Scotland and they have contributed to designing this podcast. Originating from the need to have more accessible information about care home research, this short series focusses on the benefits and impacts of care home research, the challenges, and future directions for care home research. We will be speaking to the people behind the research, including people working in care homes, family members and researchers.