Staff & Recruitment

This job family includes any Technical, Managerial, Call Handling,  Secretarial and Clerical professions including IT, Finance, Medical Records and Service Administration. These services can be delivered in both office and health care settings.

The professions which deliver and support Radiography, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language and Occupational Therapies. These services deliver direct patient care, rehabilitation, treatment, diagnostics and health improvement to patients in Hospital and community settings.

The individuals at the highest level of NHS management including Chief Executive, Executive and Non-Executive Directors.

The Professional, Scientific, Technical and Healthcare Support workers within Laboratories, hospital and community settings who perform diagnostic tests and deliver therapeutic services such as renal dialysis or cardiovascular perfusion.

Doctors and Dentists working within Hospital and Community Settings.

The professions which support Doctors and Dentists including Physician Assistants, Operating Department Practitioners, dental nurses and Dental technicians.

Registered Nurses and Midwives, Nursing Assistants and healthcare support workers who deliver direct patient care in hospital and community settings.

A range disciplines which deliver therapies and health care including Pharmacy, Optometry and Psychology in hospital and community settings.

A range of disciplines including Health Promotion, Hospital Chaplaincy and Social Work.

The individuals of NHS management including Head of Services and Service Managers.

The services common to any large organisation and include Mechanical, Electrical and Engineering professions, Porters, Domestics, Catering and a laundry services and Security, Decontamination and Transport Services.

Find the pathway to an NHS career that matches your skills and experience:

NHSGGC is keen to ensure that school pupils have access to accurate information in relation to NHS careers and pathways and recognise our role providing advice and guidance in the school environment. Our schools engagement programme aims to inform, educate and entertain. We help broaden pupils job aspirations, tackle stereotypes about jobs and careers and most importantly highlight the huge range of career opportunities and career pathways within the NHS.

Our engagement programme supports your school’s careers provision as it will help your pupils to link their subject choices to career pathways and supports student aspirations through supportive encounters with employers, employees and role models. We engage with schools through a range of activities:

• NHS Careers Ambassadors
• Careers events
• Virtual visits.

NHS Careers Ambassadors

Our NHS Profession Ambassadors work in a wide range of roles. They can talk to your students about their specific profession, raise awareness of the wide range of NHS Careers, host discussions to support subject choice and share their own career stories. We can tailor session for a specific age group or subject area or Job Family. 

Find out more about NHS Scotland Job Families or visit the NHS Scotland Careers website.

Virtual Visits

Our school visits programme can include virtual visits to schools. These visits can take the form of:

• Q&A session specific to a profession
• General advice and guidance on subject choices
• NHS careers pathways and entry routes
• Apprenticeships awareness sessions
• Mock interviews.

What you need to know when making a request

• There is no charge for the visit or talk
• We will prioritise requests from schools within the NHSGGC Board area. If you are outside our catchment area please contact the HR Department for your local health board for support
• We will endeavour to support any request attendance at careers events and parents evenings however we give priority to schools within SIMD 1 and 2 areas or schools who have not had a visit from us before.

How to Organise a Visit

Although we endeavour to arrange a session at your school, we may redirect your visit request to one of our timetabled events or sessions.  

Terms and Conditions

By completing our request form you are agreeing to our terms and conditions.

We do our best to honour our bookings but we cannot guarantee against staff unavailability, illness, adverse weather conditions, transport problems, or other factors beyond our reasonable control. 

If we cannot complete a planned visit, we will tell you as soon as possible and offer you the opportunity to make alternative arrangements.

If you can no longer host the scheduled visit, please tell us as soon as possible to allow us to either cancel the visit or reschedule it for a later date.

The Future Nurse campaign is a partnership between NHS Scotland Health boards and the Scottish Government to engage directly with pupils in primary schools and learn what Nurse  does and to tackle gender stereotypes – its not just for girls.

The project was initiated by Colin McNulty, Senior Nurse Manager at NHS Grampian, who found that attitudes and ideas about nursing are formed as early as primary school for most children.

You can find out more about the origins of the programme.

NHSGGC is currently planning a Future Nurse programme for Primary Schools

If you would like to work with us you can contact us using the HR enquiry portal.

Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to work and learn at the same time. By the end of the apprenticeship period apprentices have demonstrated that they have the knowledge and skills required for the job role and are competent and experienced workers. This approach of working and learning at the same time is enhanced by a formal Apprenticeship Framework which ensures apprentices gain national recognition of their knowledge and skills.

How is an NHSGGC apprenticeship delivered?

All our Apprenticeships deliver an Industry recognised qualification. Some programmes are delivered in the workplace others may require you to attend college on a day release, part time or full time basis.

Our Apprenticeships are structured programmes that take the apprentices through the skills they need to eventually be working at the standard required for the role.

Our Apprentices study whilst they work. We do this through a combination study with our training providers, and off-the-job learning. This might be on one day a week, or a block of days at a time.

How much will I be paid as an apprentice?

Our trainees start on a minimum salary of the Scottish Living Wage and have access to all the benefits available to NHS Staff. This includes 27 days paid annual leave, 8 paid public holidays per year and enrolment in the NHS Pension Scheme.

What happens after I complete my NHSGGC apprenticeship?

All trainees who successfully complete the NHSGGC Apprenticeship programme will be supported into permanent employment within the organisation.  

We have established career pathways and development programmes within the organisation which support ongoing career development and  support employees to work towards higher level qualifications, to develop their skills and progress within the NHS in Scotland.

If for any reason Apprentices chose not to remain with us on completion of training then they leave us with recognised qualifications and training, work experience and references, and a real advantage over other applicants in an increasingly competitive graduate job market.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Workforce Employability Team would like to invite young people to Join our Mailing List to receive email alerts when new MA vacancies are advertised.

• Accountancy: Apprentices work in our Management and Financial Accounts Teams as Trainee Management Accounts Assistants
• Business and Administration: Apprentices work in a range of Administrative roles in hospital, office and health centre settings
• Construction (Joinery): Apprentices work in our Hospital Estates Teams as Trainee Joiners
• Dental Nursing: Trainee Dental Nurses based at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School
• Electrical Installation: Apprentices work in our Hospital Estates Teams as Trainee Electricians
• Engineering – Electronic and Mechanical: Apprentices work in our estates teams as Mechanical Fitters (Mechanical Engineering) and in our Medical Physics Teams as Clinical Technologists (Electronic Engineering)
• Healthcare Support – Clinical and Non Clinical: Apprentices work in an range of roles supporting the delivery of hands on healthcare services e.g. Healthcare Support Workers and in services supporting the delivery of non clinical services e.g. Health Improvement
• Life Sciences: Apprentices work in our laboratory services – Biochemistry, Haematology, Microbiology and Pathology as Biomedical Support Workers
• Pharmacy: Apprentices work as Pre-registration Pharmacy Technicians and are based in our Hospital and Community Pharmacies
• Plumbing: Apprentices work within our Hospital Estates Team as Trainee Plumbers.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Workforce Employability Team would like to invite young people to Join our Mailing List to receive email Alerts when new MA vacancies are advertised

Did you know

There are more than 100 Apprenticeships pathways available:

Since 2013 more than 200 apprentices have joined NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

We will be advertising a number of opportunities from March 2024 onwards including Apprenticeships in the following frameworks:

Clinical Engineering – Practitioner Clinical Technologists at interview stage

Trainee Dental Nurse Programme at the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School at interview stage

Purchasing Officers (Procurement) application window 12th April 2024 – 28th April 2024

Health Improvement Assistant Practitioner – go live 22nd April 2024 – 5th May 2024

Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technicians – dates to be confirmed

Porters – dates to be confirmed

Health & Safety Apprentice – dates to be confirmed

Following on from Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Workforce Employability Team would like to invite young people to Join our Mailing List to receive email Alerts when new MA vacancies are advertised

These Apprenticeships will be advertised on www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk and on www.apprentice.scot.

You can learn more about what an NHS Apprenticeship is like in the Careers Stories section

Consider patterns of absence; absences at the end of the month or due to stress may be related to issues with money.

The Attendance Policy and Supporting Documents both offer advice on supportive management of absence

The stress of having money worries may affect the workplace performance of a staff member. All employees are required to perform the duties of their post to an acceptable standard.  

The Capability Policy and Supporting Documents both provide a clear process to support and manage employees who are required to improve their knowledge, skills or ability to perform their role.

A member of staff who has had a diagnosis of a long term health condition, for example cancer, may well be worrying about the financial impact of their diagnosis.

Support and Information Services

You can signpost or refer staff with a long term health condition to the Support and Information Services (SIS).They offer a wide range of support, and have links to community based advice organisations, including those for free, confidential, quality assured money advice and debt resolution. There is a Support and Information Service in the foyer at Stobhill ACH, New Victoria ACH, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. However, enquiries can also be made over the phone or via email no matter what site the member of staff is based in.

Check the web page for locations, opening times and local phone number, or email: sis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Coping with a Health Problem: Help for Staff

You can also download a copy of Coping with a Health Problem: Help for Staff (pdf). It contains a wealth of information to support staff physical and mental health and can be used during supportive discussions with staff.

A member of staff who has been ill for some time and who has gone onto half pay or no pay will probably have significant concerns about money.

If you are keeping in touch with absent staff, it can help them to ensure that they maximise their income and claim any benefits to which they are entitled. The Support and Information Service will enable them to access this help through money advice services.

NHSGGC employs thousands of staff who are expected to maintain some form of registration with a professional body. The cost of this can amount to several hundred pounds per year. Where lapses in registration occur, consider that money worries may be part of the problem and be prepared to supportively manage and signpost to help.

The NHSGGC Policy on Employment of Statutory Registered Professionals details advice and responsibilities for managers.

You can also support staff by raising awareness of the tax relief that can be easily claimed on professional registration fees.

You could encourage staff to use the NHS Credit Union as a means to budget and save for their professional registration fees.

Throughout the course of a working life, personal circumstances can change considerably, for example through ill health, family job loss, maternity, disability, caring responsibilities, relationship breakdown or bereavement. At times like these money can sometimes become a worry and staff may need support. A referral to the Support and Information Service will enable staff to access the help they need for many of these issues including access to carer’s support and money advice.

Further information

Bereavement

For bereavement, a wide range of resources are available to support staff to cope with bereavement, whether personal or professional.

Caring responsibilities

If staff are responsible for caring for a family member, dependent or close friend there is help and support available for them and the person they look after. Visit the carer’s support web pages:

Breathing Space

Breathing Space provides a free confidential phone line that staff can call if they’re feeling down or anxious about anything.

Call 0800 83 85 87, Monday to Thursday, 6.00pm – 2.00am. Friday to Monday, 6.00pm – 6.00am

Flexible working policy

Universal Credit

Universal Credit has recently been introduced across Greater Glasgow and will replace a number of existing benefits including Housing Benefit and Working and Child Tax Credits. This financial support is available for people on a low income or out of work. It’s a monthly payment to help with living costs, and the amount depends on how much is earned in a month. Staff do not need to do anything about moving over to Universal Credit until they hear from the Department of Work & Pensions, unless their circumstances change.

The Support and Information Services (SIS) are available to all NHSGGC staff. They offer a wide range of support and have links to other community-based money advice.

To find out more, click on the buttons below to download posters and leaflets giving contact details for the Support and Information Service.

These resources can also be printed off and hung in staff areas for easy accessibility.

Small numbers can be ordered via the Public Health Resource Directory (PHRD).

The Support and Information Services (SIS) are available for NHSGGC staff, patients, carers and visitors. They offer a wide range of support and have links to other community-based advice organisations, including those for money advice and resolving debt. This makes the SIS the ideal first point of contact for staff needing help and support.

The Support and Information Service (SIS) also provides a range of advice and support for staff who may be struggling during the current cost of living crisis.

We are pleased to confirm that, following an award by the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Healthcare Charity, the SIS will also be able to provide small hardship grants to staff. These will be provided as part of a wider needs assessment, to ensure any member of staff seeking to access the fund is also able to access sustainable, long-term support. The service is entirely confidential and your details will not be shared with anyone.

To access our hardship support:

1. drop in or contact your nearest SIS service. We are located in most hospital atriums.
2. call: 0141 452 2387. If we are closed, please leave a message & we will get back to you.
3. email: sis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Visit the webpage for locations, opening times and local phone number, or email: sis@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Inform Scotland’s Service Directory contains details of money advice services across Scotland, this may be of particular use for staff who live outwith Greater Glasgow and Clyde:

Debt Navigator provides information and advice on how to deal with debts including- energy debts; mortgage, rent and council tax arrears; loans, credit cards and overdrafts; car finance and care costs. The website includes a web chat function.

A change in your circumstances, such as changes to your health, relationships, pregnancy or unexpected expenses can change what social security benefits and grants you may entitled to access. This section aims to assist those who may not be in receipt of all of the benefits or financial supports they may be legally entitled to.

Information on benefits and grants can be found here:

Information on local, free confidential money advice services in your area can be found via:

Other useful links

Department of Work and Pensions:

Information on benefits including Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carer Support Payment, Child Benefit and others:

Social Security Scotland

Information on benefits including Best Start Grants, Scottish Child Payment, Child Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment, Funeral Support Payment and others:

The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes.

You must be 16 or older and on a low income, or getting certain benefits, to apply for grants available.

Help with living costs – Scottish Welfare Fund – mygov.scot

Home Energy Scotland is pleased to be working with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to offer you support with free and impartial energy advice and support.

They cover everything from simple energy saving tips in the home to transport and active travel advice. Home Energy Scotland’s friendly advisors offer vital support to colleagues across NHSGGC.

Who is Home Energy Scotland?

Home Energy Scotland is a network of local advice centres covering all of Scotland. Our expert advisors offer free, impartial advice on saving energy, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel and cutting water waste. We’re funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, and our mission is to help people in Scotland create warmer homes, reduce their bills and help tackle climate change.

We’ll help you stay warm and well

Recent research by Home Energy Scotland* has revealed that 70% of people in Scotland feel concerned about energy bills rising, with almost two thirds using more energy than usual during the first 12 months of the pandemic. The research also found that 59% of Scots have noticed a worrying rise in their energy bills already.

Simple steps like changing your thermostat settings in the warmer months, regularly switching your energy supplier or changing the way you pay can all make positive changes to the amount you spend on keeping you warm and well at home.

Home Energy Scotland’s friendly advisors can help you make the best use of your energy, so your home is warmer and your bills are as low as possible.

Make my home warmer

Find out if you could be eligible for home energy efficiency improvement worth, on average, £5000. Available to home owners and private tenants, Warmer Homes Scotland could see energy efficient home improvements – like insulation or a new heating system – installed in your home at no cost to you.

Go green and save

We can help you make changes that make a big difference to the planet – and your purse. From heating your home using renewable technology to choosing greener ways to travel, our specialists will help you make the right choice for your lifestyle. Take a look at our webinar programme to learn more.

Find funding

There’s lots of support out there to help you make greener changes and reduce your energy use. We’re even offering free ebike trails to GP surgeries.

Speak to an advisor

If you’re worried about your energy bills, call Home Energy Scotland free of charge on 0808 808 2282 – quoting NHSGGC

You can also contact our Advice Team by email at adviceteam@sc.homeenergyscotland.org – quoting NHSGGC

* Energy Saving Trust, “Climate Change Research” April 2021

Home Energy Scotland E-Learning Module

With the weather changing, the cost of energy might be on your mind at the moment. The new ‘Home Energy E-Learning’ module could be a perfect way to help you keep cosy this winter and save money on your bills.

The module will help you save energy at home to reduce your bills and tackle the climate emergency. It is brought to you by the team at Home Energy Scotland and is available through LearnPro under the CPD Category under show all learning and is called ‘Home Energy E-Learning’. You can also search using the search box and type in Home Energy to find the module. To add this to your learning, please click add and confirm. You can then click select to view the module.

The module will take you on a virtual tour of a typical home, identifying energy saving hotspots and help you discover how much money and energy you could save by making simple changes. You’ll get a personalised action plan to download and take away, with tips and details of funding and support to make energy saving home improvements.

Bloomberg UK have created a helpful graphic to show the cost of running different household appliances according to the energy cap scheduled for October 2022.

A carer is a person who provides or intends to provide unpaid, practical, physical and emotional support to relatives, friends or neighbours due to physical or mental illness, addiction, frailty or disability. This includes young people and parents. They do not need to live with the person to be their carer.

If this is you, you are not alone. There is help and support available for you and the person you look after.

Support from your Union

Many unions offer support to their members who are suffering financial hardship. Check with your union for details.

Unison Financial Assistance

If you are a member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.

If you are a Unison member and you are experiencing financial difficulties, whether due to coronavirus or other circumstances, There for You can offer you support, including one-off grants.

About the NHS Credit Union

Like all credit unions, the NHS Credit Union is a financial co-operative, owned and controlled by its members.

We help care for the financial health of members across Scotland and the North of England and our membership is growing at record rates. Almost 20,000 NHS workers are currently enjoying the benefits of being an NHS Credit Union member.

Our mission is to promote financial well-being and a savings culture in the NHS industry alongside reducing financial stress in staff and providing ethical financial assistance to those who need it.

For access to savings products and loans, paid directly from your salary the NHS Credit Union is easy to join. It can help you to budget your money or to save for holidays, unexpected spends or even your professional registration fees.

Am I eligible to join the NHS Credit Union?

The Safe Harbour Service @NHS Credit Union

Safe Harbour is confidential service open to all members, that aims to help those who may be experiencing economic abuse to take back control of their money.

The service is currently running a simple three questions survey to find out about member awareness of the service and to inform future developments.

A wide range of services are available to NHSGGC staff.

Discounts

NHS Staff Benefits offers discounts and special offers on many products and services from holidays and eating out, to gym membership. Log in to find out further details:

Mortgage Advice Clinic

Qualified advisers can help you find the right mortgage, matching your circumstances and requirements to the right product.

You can arrange an appointment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary by calling 0141 211 5885, or arrange an appointment at Dykebar Hospital on 0141 314 4016.

Financial Planning Clinic

Through NHS Staff Benefits, staff can access support in planning for their retirement or if they have been affected by recent pension changes.

Some stores offer membership to certain groups of workers, including NHS staff, giving access to discounted goods.

The Company Shop offers discounts to NHS staff, and also reduces waste by redistributing surplus food and household products from some of the biggest UK retailers.

Did you know that you can claim tax relief on the cost of laundering your uniform? This includes nursing and allied health professionals and also domestic, catering and portering staff.

You can also claim tax relief on registration fees that you are required to pay to your professional body. It is easy to do and you may also get a backdated sum. To check your eligibility and then apply visit:

Are you interested in learning more about easy retirement planning or how to understand mortgages better. Do you need support on how to manage your money better or maybe you feel you need a midlife MOT on wealth, work & wellbeing? Then these Open University courses may be for you.

They are free & range from as little as 2 hours study upwards depending on the course you choose.

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.

For more information about how you can receive help with childcare costs have a look on the Childcare Choices website.

Problem gambling is defined as gambling that is disruptive or damaging to you or your family, or interferes with your daily life. Most people in the UK gambled or played the lottery in the last year and with the rise in the number of online internet gambling sites and mobile apps has made gambling more easily and readily accessible – activities like playing the lottery once or twice a week aren’t harmful however, for around 9 in 1000 people, gambling becomes a problem or an addiction.

Problem gambling can strain relationships, impact on work and have serious financial consequences. There is a risk that escalation of the problem could lead to harmful behaviours like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.

For information on problem gambling and the signs of problem gambling visit:

Support and getting help

Support within NHSGGC

There is a dedicated specialist resource via Occupational Health via an addiction’s nurse who can be accessed via self-referral on 0141 201 0600. Further information can be found via:

Alternatively your manager may refer you via this link: https://nhsggc.opasg2.com/login/form Further information about this can be found here: Management Referrals – NHSGGC

Other external sources of support

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland has meetings every day, and is free to attend. The meetings are informal and friendly, and there are currently around 70 meetings held in Scotland every day. Gamblers Anonymous also has a 24-hour helpline you can phone on 0370 050 8881.

A member of Gamblers Anonymous will answer your call – someone who fully understands the problem of compulsive gambling. Please note that this is NOT a crisis hotline. If you are in crisis or suicidal call 999.

Gam-Anon Scotland

If you have a loved one with a gambling problem, support is available from Gam-Anon Scotland. The organisation has supportive, confidential meetings that are separate from Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Call the Gam-Anon 24-hour helpline on 0370 050 8881

Breathing Space

If you’re struggling with the impact gambling is having on your life, or the life of a loved one, phone Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 for support and counselling. Breathing Space is open:

· Weekdays: Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am

· Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am

Public Health Scotland’s Virtual Learning Environment [VLE] has developed 6 modules aimed at those working in front line public services, with some sections dedicated to those in a management role. Please see list below

·       Understanding Poverty

·       Understanding Poverty, Stigma and Discrimination

·       Poverty Sensitive Practice

·       My Role in Service Planning and Design

·       My Role in Organisational Policy

·       My Role as a Line Manager

The module objectives are;

• Provide an overview of poverty in Scotland
• Raise awareness of stigma and discrimination associated with poverty
• Raise awareness of the impact of poverty stigma and discrimination on individuals and their health and wellbeing
• Introduce sensitive approaches to reduce poverty stigma discrimination

To access these modules please visit the VLE using this link Course: Challenging poverty stigma and discrimination (publichealthscotland.scot)

You will be required to enrol to access these modules

Please familiarise yourself with the Challenging Poverty Stigma Hub by watching this short VT. To access, click on the screen below:

• RCN Foundation Benevolent Services (For more information on how to apply for a grant)
• Money Worries and Financial Wellbeing Podcast (National Wellbeing Hub)
• Tips for Managing Finances (National Wellbeing Hub)
• Employee financial wellbeing (CIPD)
• Mental Health and Money Toolkit
• Money and Pensions Service
• Money Helper – Free money guidance
• Citizens Advice Scotland, Council Tax Reduction Tool
• Energy domestic consumer advice for Autumn/Winter 2022 from Ogem (Download the pdf:

Help with Bills Scotland)

My name is Barbara I have been volunteering at the Barrowfield Tea Dance for almost 3 Years now.

I started off unofficially by helping clear up some of the cups after tea time and then became an official volunteer through the NHS.

I enjoy volunteering at the tea dance and feel I play an important role over the year. I have gradually taken on more responsibility, such as making sure everyone has signed in the register and supporting people with their Bingo and dancing. Sometimes I feel I act as middle man between staff and some of the group as they will come to me to talk as they are familiar with me as a local person and someone who has been there since the early days.

The part I enjoy most about working at the tea dance is chatting with the pensioners and building up a relationship with them. Volunteering at the tea dance has helped build up my confidence, I feel more confident about starting conversations with people I don’t know very well.

During my time at the tea dance I have seen a few staff changes so I am now one of the people who have been working there the longest so I feel a sense of ownership and responsibility to the tea dance. I love being a volunteer and I would recommend giving it a go.

I’ve been a volunteer with the New Victoria Patient Information Centre for almost 2 years.

I am also one of the volunteer Queens Park Health Walk Leaders (there are now a total of six volunteer leaders).

I’ve been retired for just over 3 years and feel that one of the most positive steps I have taken is volunteering, however you do not need to be retired to be a volunteer!

As a volunteer I do a variety of tasks in the Patient Information Centre. This includes talking to patients/potential patients. This has helped me increase my people skills as well as my self confidence.

Amongst other things, I have enjoyed the training and meeting new people. The permanent staffs are friendly and extremely helpful. I also feel that volunteering has helped me keep physically and mentally fit.

I do believe that volunteering increases your self esteem and would encourage anyone who has the time and interest to volunteer.

My Name is Gio and I help maintain the fish tank at Gartnavel. I also help make the Gartnavel walled garden an even better place for patients, visitors and the local community.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I enjoy the task at hand and having a wee chat with the staff, if and when.

What is your main reasons for volunteering?

To keep me motivated.

Tell us about something you have felt proud of in your volunteering role?

Seeing the end result of job at hand.

I’m currently based as a Welcomer/Guide Volunteer at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow.

I find it so rewarding, greeting and meeting visitors and patients as they enter the new Hospital. Just by putting people at ease, helping them check in on the new system for appointments or directing or accompany them to clinics, just gives you such a good feeling. You know you have made a difference, it’s so rewarding.

I have been told by patients the difference it has meant to them having assistance as they arrive for their appointments.

It’s so enjoyable and I work with a nice team of volunteers too! I’m so glad I applied to be a volunteer at the new Hospital it’s such a worthwhile pastime and one that I would recommend to others.

My name is Jim, and I help run the Football Memories Groups. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

Meeting new people and hopefully giving patients a bit of enjoyment

What is your main reasons for volunteering?

Try and get patients to recall from their memory banks, what they can recall about football from days gone by

Tell us about something you have felt proud of in your volunteering role?

Having people thanking me for an hour well spent

I currently volunteer at Ward 1 at Larkfield Unit, Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

My role is to visit many of the elderly patients and talk to them about anything they like. This creates a distraction for them as they could be upset or worried or depressed about the situation they are in.

I also help out with meals whether it’s encouraging them to eat (as many patients lose their appetite while being in hospital) or helping them cut up their food. I thoroughly enjoy my role at Ward 1 as it is lovely being able to help a person that isn’t going through a good time in their lives.

Although some patients will not remember you, there are a few that will. As many patients don’t receive visitors, it is a pleasant surprise for them to find someone there to see them and it can really brighten up their day.

A sense of fulfilment comes from this role as, you can really see a difference in a patient from just a small conversation, they really take it to heart and are really grateful for your visit.

I am currently applying to study midwifery at university and hope that the skills/experience gained from volunteering will help support the selection process.

I’d recommend the experience to others thinking about a career in NHS.

My name is Margaret, and I help at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as as Welcomer/Guide.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

I enjoy being of use and within the QEUH I feel I am useful. This supports others as well as my feeling of usefulness!

What is your main reasons for volunteering?

The volunteering role in QEUH is required for many less able patients and visitors due to the huge area containing so many speciality areas as well as within adjacent buildings which make the QEUH Complex. I am so pleased to be of help to all.

Tell us about something you have felt proud of in your volunteering role?

I can’t say I am proud of anything, however its a happy feeling when you have been able to alleviate some anxieties for patients and visitors by calmly supporting them to there appointment/other query.

My name is Pat, and I help at Gartnavel General Hospital, Ward 4C.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

The people I meet. I sing at ward events and involved in flower arranging expanding to more than one ward/hospital. I’m also involved in Screen Memories.

What is your main reasons for volunteering?

Do something useful but also enjoyable during my retirement.

Tell us about something you have felt proud of in your volunteering role?

Helping patients to laugh out loud. Singing and encouraging patients to enjoy singing the songs they know. I miss coming in if I’m not here… Patients know words to songs and to help patients with the words, it’s a purpose for them and me sharing an enjoyment.

Following a period of ill health in 2008, including a stay in the Old Victoria Hospital, I had to close down my cat sitting business to aid my recovery. In March 2010 I started as a volunteer in the Patient Information Centre (PIC) at the New Victoria Hospital, a post I am still in today.

My volunteering role gave me back some structure in my week, working on Wednesdays for a 4 hour shift, and with a background in Biology, I was able to man the information table in the atrium and help patients, staff and others in their search for relevant information regarding health improvement issues.

I thoroughly enjoy the interaction I have with people in the atrium and I think people, especially patients, welcome a smiling face and chat as they pass through the hospital. I combine this role in the New Victoria with my role as a British Heart Foundation Scotland volunteer – the latter involves fundraising and awareness raising.

I’ve developed a good working relationship with staff and volunteers in the PIC and often visit clinics and wards in the hospital to distribute relevant information.

My role is supported by training and development away days and I feel I have gained useful communication and work-related experience and hope that in the near future I may be able to put my skills to use in the wider workplace. I can highly recommend a volunteer role within the PICs for anyone who is interested in making good use of their spare time.

As a Naloxone Peer Educator in North East Glasgow area I was given a great opportunity in August 2017 to become part of the Naloxone Peer Delivery Pilot. This new role involves me completing paperwork, inputting data into the computer system and handing out the Naloxone kits.

To make this transition I became a Volunteer with NHSGGC North East. Having previously volunteered in a similar environment I felt very comfortable and the transition for me was very easy. There is a change of pace with this exciting new venture and with my fellow Peers we have been hard at work. In my volunteering role I am more in control of my time and effort as part of a team in my time is more fixed and I worked my volunteering around my other priorities. I did not feel any pressure as the responsibility and accountability within my volunteering was discussed and supported.

As a team we have great support from NHS staff, and our supervisor, and as I became more confident in my abilities I was given more opportunities to work on my own initiative. I feel very fortunate to receive training and support that has encouraged my development at a pace that worked for me. I’m also grateful for the opportunities to practice my new skills in a variety of different care settings with a definite emphasis on my safety this was enhanced with direct communication and understanding. There is a very supportive connection and my supervisor is able to ease any anxieties around being in formal settings. He instills a sense of calm and order which helps me to deliver training even in challenging circumstances but this is often where the training is most needed.

This opportunity has given me confidence to feel that I can make an impact however small by using my own experience. I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and as I continue my volunteering which I feel will equip me with certain values that will be useful as I move towards employment – structure, timekeeping, organisational skills, commitment, team working and self-respect for my own worth for what I can bring. This has been a great experience overall for me. It has allowed me to have a unique experience in a safe and nurturing environment, so thanks for the opportunity.

One of my main reasons for volunteering was to try and return to paid employment. I’m a lone parent with two daughters aged 7 and 9 years old. I was finding it really hard to get a job. It has been nine years since I last worked.

The drugs project I worked for was closed down and my manager had passed away, so it was a real problem obtaining references. I had volunteered before for HIV, Family and Carers Support Group and really thought it was worthwhile and it helped in my application for my University course in Alcohol and Drug Studies.

This volunteering position appealed to me as it covered the huge area of health improvement, a subject close to my heart, if you pardon the pun!

I can happily report I have been successful in getting a job with the NHS as a ‘sessional smoking cessation facilitator’. I’m certain my experience as a ‘Health Information Point Support Volunteer’ definitely gave me an advantage over other candidates. The support and encouragement from my Volunteer Co-ordinator also played a big part in my confidence to apply for the job.

Initially one of my major hurdles in taking up this voluntary work was childcare. I had to arrange for my two primary school age children to be picked up after school finished and looked after until I could collect them. This was due to some of the training ending at 4pm. It was tricky as I am a lone parent with no family support so I had to ask friends as a favour to look after my children.

I really enjoyed the training. It was great to be meeting new people and learning about health. I’m really interested in health and how we can improve our own health.

My Granny always impressed on me how important good health was ‘it doesn’t matter how much money you have, if you don’t have your health’. She was brought up in an era before the NHS and lost siblings to childhood diseases and explained what a financial struggle it was to call the Doctor to the house.

The benefits of volunteering to me have been huge. It’s made me feel I’m doing something worthwhile as I am trying to make people aware of steps they can take to improve their health or prevent them developing a serious illness.

I enjoy the face to face contact with the patients if I can engage them in a conversation about health matters I feel useful and feel a sense of achievement. I think I provide a welcoming and open face to the patients and that I have time to listen to their concerns.

By acquainting myself with health centre staff and other service providers so I can put a face to a name and find out about the service so I can really promote the service to patients such as Smoke Free Services and the Bridging Service.

Volunteering has improved my own health and well-being. It has given a routine and a purpose to my life and made me feel a part of something good. It helped me contact my own Doctor about my risk of breast cancer and I was sent for genetic counselling which explained my risk was slightly higher than average and now I receive earlier breast screening.

I would highly recommend volunteering it’s a great opportunity and has certainly been fantastic for me!

Volunteering with the NHS has been a very positive and rewarding experience for me. I started volunteering because I had been unemployed for many years due to ill health. I was advised by the Bridging Service to get involved with volunteering to get me back into a workplace environment at a pace that suited my needs.

Having suffered from ill health for so long I struggled to get the motivation and lacked the confidence needed to return to work. Volunteering has given me the confidence and skills to get back on track and hopefully return to employment. My health and restrictions meant I could not always be sure of how much time or when I would be able to commit but I feel this has improved. I’ve been fully supported from staff and colleagues and have been enabled to go at my own pace and work at a level that suits me.

My confidence has improved significantly and I have gained new experiences and skills. There have been many training opportunities and I have attended certified courses which will improve my CV. I think I have enhanced patients experiences by being helpful and considerate and keeping my own knowledge up-to-date, through attending information sessions and training, to then pass on to the patient.

I also feel I have enhanced and built capacity of the services I am involved with by being fully committed to my roles and always thinking of and suggesting ways to help improve services.

My volunteering has improved my health and well being by getting me out of the rut I was stuck in for many years. I now have a routine and I can now look to the future with a positive outlook, which I could not do before.

I’d recommend volunteering with the NHS to anyone who is looking to get back in to work and improve their abilities and confidence.

My volunteering experience within the health and social care sector has allowed me to work with various client groups such as vulnerable adults with learning disabilities, elderly to those experiencing homelessness with addiction/mental health problems.

My desire is to pursue a career which would allow me to work within the community in helping individuals to build the self-confidence, motivation and skills necessary to make and sustain changes to live longer and healthier lives. This has led me to undertake a master’s degree in the public health due to its goal in protecting and improving lives through health promotion and prevention practices.

The programme has advanced my understanding of properly applying concepts, theories, and the principles of public health practices. Volunteering within the NHS North East Glasgow health improvement team has allowed me to gain first-hand experience on how the theories in health improvement are being put into practice.

For example, I have been fortunate to shadow one of the staff in attending various meetings with schools in order to promote and giving information on the health week planning pack for schools.

There are various opportunities and support available depending on volunteer’s area of interest in order for them to develop skills and knowledge.

My mentor has been great at informing me of opportunities that may be of benefit to me such as training course and I hope to start volunteering with the smoking cessation team soon.

I can genuinely say that the team appreciate even the smallest time that volunteers’ can spare and I look forward to volunteering more with the team in promoting and improving health for the community.

I believe that the experiences, knowledge, and lessons that I will gain throughout volunteering with the North East Glasgow health improvement team will certainly better equip me to serve the community.