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When 58-year-old David from Campbeltown lost his wife Catherine to cancer, life changed in ways he could never have imagined. The grief, loneliness, and silence that followed were overwhelming - until one small act of kindness at The Beatson café began to change everything.
“I was visiting the Beatson Café while my late wife Catherine was getting treatment,” David explains. “Maxine, who works in the café, noticed I was upset. She took me into the hub and told me more about the Befriending Service.”
That moment introduced David to a new source of support - and to Sheila, his befriender.
Finding Support Through Connection
For David, joining the Befriending Service has been “a really good experience” that has offered “much-needed support” during a very difficult time.
“Every Friday I look forward to my chat with Sheila,” he says. “She’s helped me immensely. Meeting her for the first time was heart-warming - we enjoyed a cuppa from the café.”
Through regular calls and catch-ups, Sheila has become more than just a befriender. “Regular chats have helped me through some difficult times,” David reflects. “Cancer is a very difficult time for anyone, and having someone who checks in means a lot.”
Now, David is paying it forward by becoming a volunteer and fundraiser himself. “Support from Beatson Cancer Charity has helped me, and I now help promote the charity by holding fundraisers in my local community.”
He sums up his experience simply: “A fantastic support network when going through a cancer journey.”
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Sheila’s Story
Sheila, 77, from Bearsden, has volunteered with Beatson Cancer Charity for over a decade - helping in roles from the Café and Ward volunteering to Fundraising and Office Support. When COVID-19 hit, she took on a new challenge: Telephone Befriending.
“This was a natural follow-on from ward volunteering,” Sheila explains. “I wanted to speak to people during those difficult times when many were isolated, sometimes with very little or no support at all.”
Over the years, Sheila has discovered that befriending is about more than conversation - it’s about connection and trust. “Most relationships take a little time to develop,” she says. “Once they do, you become a listening ear. Clients with families often open up more when talking to someone outside their family.”
The Heart of Befriending
Sheila describes her role as deeply rewarding: “The opportunity to help clients in all sorts of different ways — and the natural progression to becoming more like a trusted friend through time - is what I enjoy most.”
She also highlights the strong network of support for volunteers: “Most of the time there are no problems, but anytime we need help or support, Paul, Marlyn and Marion are our listening ears.”
For Sheila, National Befriending Week is an important opportunity to shine a light on this special kind of support. “It highlights the incredible service available to clients and hopefully encourages more to speak out and look for the help on offer.”
Her advice to anyone considering volunteering: “Volunteering as a befriender isn’t for everyone - many prefer face-to-face contact - but I’d encourage people to at least try it. The ups far outweigh the downs.”
She sums up her experience beautifully: “Being able to help and support people at a difficult time gives me a sense of doing good.”
A Lasting Impact
Both David and Sheila’s stories remind us that befriending is about human connection - about listening, understanding, and simply being there.
As David puts it, “It’s a great service that offers vital support to those who need it.”
And for Sheila, the joy is mutual: “Being able to support clients further by suggesting local lunch clubs and community groups is something I love - it’s about helping people find a way forward.”
The Befriending Service offers compassionate, one-to-one support to people affected by cancer. To learn more about how you can access the service click here.
