Volunteering

Beatson Cancer Charity is proud to have been able to offer additional,very practical support to patients, keyworkers and staff at The Beatson and beyond through the work of our volunteers.

We had a tremendous response from people in the community who wished to volunteer their time and help with our Covid-19 response. The majority of patients were classed as ‘shielding’ vulnerable status and therefore many were isolated with the heightened risk of infection. Our volunteers were ready to help and provide support to these groups of individuals.

Within The Beatson, volunteers set up Hand Hygiene Stations at the entrances to the hospital, as well as managing the Give and Go Service; a real lifeline for patients and families when visiting stopped. The Beatson Befriending Telephone Service was also of high importance, especially when visiting was severely restricted.

Teams of our volunteers helped make up care packs for inpatients, and discharge packs for patients going home. With shielding in place, these discharge packs provided free food, drinks, toiletries and face masks for patients, making sure they had vital supplies. We were delighted to be able to provide care packs to some of our most vulnerable patients at other hospital locations including Gartnavel General Hospital.

With volunteer support, the Beatson Café was re-opened to provide takeaway food and refreshments for staff and patients. Seating areas were rearranged to provide an important social space for NHS staff and patients to have a place to rest and take breaks.

befriending

The volunteer-led Beatson Befriending Telephone Service was launched in June 2020. Shielding and being isolated at home meant that lots of patients and their loved ones were missing out on emotional support.

The charity has led and supported a strong band of committed volunteers and is immensely proud of being able to reach people, to extend the hand of friendship, offer weekly calls, conversation and a bit of comfort, in these exceptional times.

Going forward, the charity plans to expand the service, inspired by heart-felt testimonials showing that a bit of friendship and companionship can really make a difference.

“I am very thankful to my befriender and really enjoyed my calls during the most difficult time in my life.”

volunteering

iain’s story | volunteering in a pandemic

Iain Weir supported Beatson Cancer Charity as a volunteer in various roles, from the Beatson Café to the Give & Go Service and within our main offices wrapping Beatson Online Shop orders.

I wanted to be part of a team that helped for the good of the patients and relatives who are going through a tough time (it’s tough enough outside a pandemic, but it’s harder when restrictions are and were in place at the hospitals preventing visitation). I feel that The Beatson and Team Beatson are so good at ensuring that the needs of the patients come first.

I enjoy meeting new people and helping out the hospital in any way I can. The most challenging time was when I was helping on the Give & Go station, seeing how stressed families were when they were unsure about how things worked when restrictions were in place.

The biggest achievement that I have got over the last year is landing myself a job with the Scottish Ambulance Service as a Covid-19 Mobile Testing Unit Operative. I love the job and the team that I am a part of.

Hands down, I would recommend Team Beatson to other potential volunteers.

“Volunteering has definitely boosted my self-confidence and it’s given me a lot of skills and knowledge that I know will come in handy in the role I am now in and in the future.”