STEPHEN HOUSTON

RAH clerical worker swaps her computer for trips to the seaside with pensioners

When she was a clerical officer at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Barbara Davey had a lightbulb moment.

She realised the thing she enjoyed most about the role were the lovely conversations she had with old people over the phone.

She handed in her notice after a year in the job and set about planning her own business.

The 54-year-old said: “I realised I wanted to help old people enjoy the rest of their lives - I didn’t just want to speak to them on the phone about hospital appointments and treatment.”

The result is Olden Goldies, Barbara’s personal service for the oldies.

She’ll take them for a drive to a beauty spot - or ferry them to Largs or Helensburgh for an ice cream.

And Barbara said: “I feel passionately that they have been let down and had such a hard time this past year.

“I just felt I could do more than was available.

“My service is to allow our Olden Goldies to enjoy life to the full.

“And I will help them to do that.

“It may be visiting them at home as a companion or taking them out and about - our oot and aboot as my marketing goes.”

The mum-of-two, from Thornly Park, in Paisley, got her new car on the road earlier this month.

The Ford Freedom vehicle can take a wheelchair straight up a ramp from the rear.

In the past, Barbara looked after a lady with dementia for seven years and she has a degree in care management.

She added: “That’s where we came up with the phrase ‘oot and aboot’ because she loved getting out there.

“Since I started, I have felt so rewarded. “Often old people at the start will say ‘I don’t need help’ or ‘I don’t need anybody coming in to see me.

“But, as we develop our relationship, they’ll say ‘I can’t wait for you to come in next week.

“I have always had a real heart-warming to older people and I just want them to be happy.

“Whatever they want to do, obviously within reason, I will help them do it.”

Check out what Barbara is up to via www. facebook.com/OldenGoldiesPaisley

Since I started, I have felt so rewarded