Meet the team at Marie Curie Hospice Glasgow

Meet the Glasgow team

Staff at the Marie Curie Hospice Glasgow explain why they enjoy their jobs as well as revealing their hobbies and favourite songs.

Liz McConnell, Senior Nurse, Day Services and Outpatients

How long have you worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care?

I have worked for Marie Curie since 2009.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients become more confident when they have been socially isolated and see their confidence develop with interactions with other people.

How do you make a difference to patients and carers?

I think we make a difference by providing emotional support – one to one to help and exploring solutions to difficulties they may be experiencing.

What are your hobbies / interests away from work?

Outside of work I read a lot. I love film and going to the cinema. I love Mama Mia – I have watched it four times on DVD. I also enjoy eating out and love Indian food.

Janet Wright, Senior Physiotherapist

How long have you worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care?

I've been at Marie Curie since June 2007.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is that I am doing something that makes a difference; being able to spend time with people and trying to solve things with them.

How do you make a difference to patients and carers?

We make a difference by giving patients something positive and new, like the HOPE exercise groups - says what it does on the tin really, enabling people to do things within their limitations.

What are your hobbies?

Outside of work I like holidays. I like reading and cross-stitch. I am also learning Spanish.

What is your favourite song?

Without a doubt, my favourite song is Hey Jude by The Beatles.

Catherine Highlands, Assistant Head Chef

How long have you worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care?

I have worked for Marie Curie for 11 years.

How many meals per week does the kitchen produce?

It varies on how many meals our kitchen produces a week, but on average I’d say 1000 meals.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is the patients - being able to provide for them and be there for them. Eating is an important part, but most importantly many comment that our home-cooked food is fantastic and rare in other places they may have stayed. We always get compliments on our home-cooked food.

What are the most popular dishes with patients?

The most popular main dishes with patients are steak pie with potatoes and vegetables, mince with potatoes and vegetables, any kind of soups and also macaroni cheese.

When it comes to dessert, favourites are sponge and custard and creamed rice pudding. Honestly though, all home baking is loved.

What sort of special requests for food do you get from patients that you can fulfil?

We have a lot of special requests - mostly everything! We normally need a day or so to do it, but we try our best to get it.

What is your favourite song?

Favourite song at the moment is Journey, by X-Factor’s Jo McElderry.

Mary Winfield, Volunteer Receptionist

Why did you get involved with the charity?

I volunteer for Marie Curie because, after I retired I wanted to be involved in something medically oriented as I used to be a nurse. I saw an advertisement back then and responded.

What’s the most rewarding part of your role?

The most rewarding part of my role is interacting with relatives of patients. I find that if you are gentle and kind to relatives, you really see, in turn, how appreciative they are of this.

How do you make a difference to patients and carers?

I think I make a difference to patients by doing whatever you can to comfort them. Again being kind and gentle makes them calmer and happier.

What are your hobbies?

Outside of work I am involved in the University of Glasgow ladies club. I suppose you could also say the kitchen is my compulsory hobby.

What is your favourite song?

I don’t so much have a favourite song, but I love opera and therefore anything from the Marriage of Figaro.

Karen Milne, Community Fundraiser

How long have you worked for Marie Curie Cancer Care?

Eight years in total but five years at the Glasgow Hospice.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my role is inspiring people to support Marie Curie Cancer Care. There are lots of good causes out there but I believe our nurses are the best. I’m privileged to represent them, and I’m delighted when we get financial support for the services we provide.

How do you make a difference to patients and carers?

All the money raised in Glasgow stays in Glasgow. That means we’re raising money for services which benefit a lot of local people.

Working in the hospice gives me a daily reminder of how our efforts are helping patients and their loved ones. Someone wrote us a thank you card which said our hospice was "like a warm blanket on a cold day".

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