A VOLUNTEER from Old Kilpatrick listens, cares and shares time with vulnerable patients at the Golden Jubilee as part of her sense of duty.

Beth Anderson is part of a team of pastoral care volunteers at the hospital. The service began in 2008 with just four volunteers but now boasts 11 dedicated members.

The kind-hearted group supports patients at their most vulnerable and members have been described as motivated and caring, as well as having the ability to listen, empathise and spend time with patients of the NHS hospital.

Read more: Family's desperate plea to find missing Drumchapel man

Beth began volunteering at the Golden Jubilee when she retired to give something back to her community and is now the longest serving pastoral care volunteer who has been part of the team for 10 years, with no intention of giving up.

She said: “Patients sometimes need someone other than clinical staff to talk to and I really enjoy speaking with Golden Jubilee patients.

“Someone could be having a difficult time and they just want someone to be friendly and spend time with them. It’s humbling to be able to make a difference and it gives me a great sense of satisfaction. I get too much from it to stop.”

To mark volunteer week, which took place recently, the Golden Jubilee announced that it has increased its pastoral care service, benefitting even more patients and families than ever before.

Read more: Slimming World Bankies reach target weights and shed 29,000lbs

Andy Gillies, Spiritual Care and Diversity lead, said: “NHS Golden Jubilee encourages, promotes and supports volunteering and empowers volunteers to achieve their roles safely and effectively.

“Spiritual care is now a recognised health profession and I’m delighted we’ve been able to expand our pastoral care volunteer service to provide more listening support to patients than ever before.”

To find out more about Golden Jubilee’s advisory and patient/family support volunteer opportunities visit goldenjubileefoundation.org/working-us/join-our-team/volunteering.