NHS24 Call Handler loves her job but still finds time to give more
12th October 2022
Sophie Ross lost her Mum in 2013 and her life after hasn’t always been straight forward, but that’s why she is the person she is today. She has made her struggles her successes and is always focusing on others and ways to benefit their lives. Guiding others to succeed or find support is her key goal in life.
In 2018 after being unemployed for 6 years she realised she needed to change and started to volunteer. Then in 2019 she saw a Prince's Trust NHS24 course advertised on Facebook and applied. She was selected for the course and from the first day she knew this was the career she wanted. Sophie had a successful interview at the end of the course and gained employment as a Call Handler for NHS24 where she works to this day.
Sophie still has the passion she did that first day in her job and has been a Young Ambassador for the Princes Trust Scotland since she completed the course taking part in fundraising and also doing talks to help other young people realise support is out there and they are not alone.
Sophie’s Mum was always helping people but she suffered with her mental health throughout her life and this is why Sophie continues to raise awareness by talking about her struggles. She isn’t proud of parts of it but states; “If by telling my story helps one person overcome any struggle that’s all that matters.”
There are so many roles Sophie has taken on in the last few years ranging from helping all age groups to fundraise, sporting events and just getting the word out about the benefits of volunteering. Her most recent volunteer work is at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary as a Give & Go volunteer for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; delivering patients bags up to restricted visiting wards and bringing laundry back down to loved ones. When restrictions were in place this gave patients on the wards a valuable link to their families.
Sophie’s compassion for helping others oozes out of her and becomes infectious as she has such a passion for volunteering, never saying no to a challenge or new role if that benefits the community. She recently spoke at the Scottish Parliament volunteer week representing NHS volunteering and on a Webinar for Healthcare Improvement Scotland on volunteering.
“I’m sure Sophie’s Mum would be so proud to see the young woman she has become and how selfless she is.” Carly Stirling NHS24
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