A KIND senior citizen who lost her husband is giving something back at Inverclyde Royal after seeing how well looked after he was by hospital staff and volunteers.

Barbara Tucker, 82, from Wemyss Bay, joined NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s voluntary team after her husband Colin passed away in May 2021.

At a time of sadness for the entire family, Barbara was hugely 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 their 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."

Barbara says that after some time had passed she decided to give up some of her time to volunteer at the hospital.

She said: "I didn’t feel the NODA side of things was something I could do, so I got in touch with the 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 here 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.”