NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s longest serving volunteer has been praised for supporting thousands of heart patients over the last 15 years.
Morag Brierton, 69, started volunteering with the Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation service after retiring from the former Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service in her mid-50s.
She is a volunteer driver and transports patients to and from the RAH for cardiac rehab exercise classes in the Health at Heart gym.
Patients also receive physiotherapy, education sessions, practical advice and emotional support with the service, helping to rebuild their confidence and come to terms with a range of different heart conditions.
This week, members of the cardiac rehabilitation team held a celebration to mark Morag’s 15 years of service.
Team Lead Myra McKenna told how Morag’s vital role helps break down barriers for patients, as many would be unable to find transport and benefit from the services provided without her.
Myra said: “Morag is very much an embedded member of our team and we are so grateful for the support she has given us over the years.
“Many of our patients are older and may become isolated due to their health condition. They enjoy spending time with Morag in the car having a chat – she builds up strong relationships with them over the weeks she spends picking them up and taking them home.
“Patients will spend around eight weeks coming to us after suffering from a range of conditions like heart attacks, heart failure and surgeries.
“They come from all over Renfrewshire and it may not always be possible for them to get here by bus or car, so Morag’s support really helps them overcome those barriers and gives them the opportunity to benefit from the services we can provide.
“All of this goes a long way in building their confidence and improving their independence.”
Morag, who lives in the southside of Glasgow, said she decided to volunteer with NHSGGC when she became bored soon after taking early retirement from the fire service, where she worked in personnel for 25 years.
She explained that she enjoys playing a “small part” in patients’ recoveries, and gets as much from volunteering as those she supports.
She said: “I heard about the volunteering post through a friend and decided to go for it.
“I pick people up from all over – Barrhead, Beith, Bridge of Weir and Erskine – who might not otherwise be able to get to the rehab service.
“It’s amazing to see how their confidence grows throughout the weeks of me collecting and dropping them off as they go through their rehab.
“In the beginning they might be nervous to do things for themselves around the house, but when they’re at the cardiac rehabilitation service they’re on bikes and treadmills and getting their mobility back. It’s wonderful to be part of that and to see how much they come on in just a few weeks.”
Morag added: “It’s a great way of meeting people, and the team are all fantastic – I’ve learned so much from them.
“The celebration the team organised was totally unexpected and in my opinion unnecessary – I love volunteering and I do it because I enjoy it.”
Many sites across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are actively seeking to recruit volunteers to a range of different roles. This does not currently include volunteer driver vacancies.
To find out more about volunteering, and to see our current opportunities, go to our website: Become a Volunteer – NHSGGC
Harry Balch, NHSGGC Volunteer Manager, said: “We were delighted to hold a celebration to mark Morag’s amazing 15 years of service.
“It is quite unusual for us to have volunteers with such long service, due to other commitments and life changes. Morag is our current longest serving volunteer and we’re only aware of a small number of others who have volunteered for as long as her.
“The kindness and support she has shown to patients and staff throughout the years is remarkable and we are so grateful to her.”
Fiona Smith, Director of Allied Health Professionals and NHSGGC’s strategic lead for volunteering, said: “Morag is a fantastic example of the amazing contribution our volunteers make.
“Every month, around 200 people devote thousands of hours to a range of roles across NHSGGC and we would like to say a huge thank you to them.
“Volunteers such as Morag bring with them a whole range of experience and skills, and that’s what makes volunteering such an important service.
“Not only do the volunteers provide support to patients, it can be a hugely rewarding – and sometimes surprising – experience for those who volunteer.”