Children from a local Scout group have donated bags filled with toiletries for hospital patients in Paisley.
The Squirrels, who are all aged four and five, belong to the 7th Paisley & District (JNI) Scouts.
They delivered bags packed with toiletries to the Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Support and Information Service to ensure those arriving at hospital have what they need.
The 30 children made the donation as they worked towards their ‘All Around Us Challenge’ badge, which aims to teach the Squirrels about the importance of helping others.
Each bag includes essential items and a picture drawn or coloured by one of the children. The group are now regularly donating to patients at the RAH.
At the hospital, the Support and Information Service (SIS) offers an emergency inpatient and discharge response for patients identified via clinical referrals across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Once a patient is identified, a SIS officer will meet with them to conduct a needs assessment with a preventative, sustainable and emergent focus.
If necessary, patients will be given a toiletry bag, and they may also receive other support including an emergency food parcel, a referral to a community service and/or a benefits assessment.
Audrey McElroy, Support and Information Officer at the RAH, said: “We were delighted to receive this generous donation of 30 toiletry bags for our patients from the Squirrels.
“Each bag is filled with essentials, and includes a picture created or coloured by one of the Squirrels which is a lovely personal touch.
“These packs will be distributed to patients who need them as part of our service to support people when they are inpatients, and at the point of discharge.”
Kirsty Ramsay, Assistant Section Leader for the 7th Paisley & District Scouts, said: “The Squirrels from the JNI in Paisley delivered toiletry bags to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
“The bags are given to people who are brought into hospital with nothing and need some essentials.
“This was part of the ‘All Around Us Challenge’ badge and showed the Squirrels the importance of helping others.”
For more information about NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Support and Information Service, please visit Support and Information Service – NHSGGC.
