A kind-hearted volunteer is giving back at Inverclyde Royal
Hospital in honour of her husband, after seeing how well looked
after he was by staff and how comforted he was by volunteers.
Barbara Tucker, 82, from Wemyss Bay, joined NHS Greater Glasgow and
Clyde’s team of volunteers after her husband Colin passed away in
May 2021.
At a time of such sadness for the entire family, Barbara was
comforted to know that Colin had been well looked after by staff
and was supported by volunteers.
She said: “I experienced some very special touches while Colin was
in hospital, both from staff and from volunteers. I remember going
up to see him once and seeing a beautiful crochet blanket, which
had been made and provided by Compassionate Inverclyde.
“When we knew Colin was having end of life care, I heard about the
No One Dies Alone (NODA) programme. I was so comforted to know that
Colin would have someone with him should the family not be there,
when we got the call we arrived and there was someone from NODA
there.
“I think the staff were very sensitive and caring, I have a great
admiration for the work nurses and doctors do. They were very
supportive with us.
“After a while, I decided I wanted to give up some of my time to
volunteer at the IRH. I didn’t feel the NODA side of things was
something I could do, so I got in touch with the NHSGGC volunteer
team and said I wanted to volunteer on a ward if possible. So now,
each Tuesday I go to H South and help out.
“The fact that I witnessed the good things happening at this
hospital was the motivation, there is good going on and I knew I
could be part of it.”
Barbara and Colin met each other back in 1962 during their
Salvation Army training in London, and enjoyed many happy years
together along with daughter Hazel, who now lives in Renfrew, and
son Russell, who lives in Belfast.
Barbara said: “Colin is always in our thoughts, we think about him
every day. I don’t think the sadness of losing someone ever goes
but I’m just trying to take it a day at a time.
“It’s a privilege to be able to volunteer here and to get to meet
all of these new people.”
