A STUDENT from Dumfries has been recognised for her commitment to combatting loneliness.
Ellie Haggarty, a third-year student at University of the West of Scotland (UWS), has been awarded the Sir David Landale Prize in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the local community.
The prize goes to the student who has made an “outstanding contribution to the Crichton Campus in the Dumfries and Galloway region”.
Ellie, who is studying for a BSc adult nursing, signed up for befriending service Food Train Friends in 2017 and was paired with Bridie, an elderly woman from Dumfries.
The pairing was initially intended to give Alec, Bridie’s husband, some time for himself – however, Alec soon found himself looking forward to Ellie’s visits, and so the three of them would all spend time together.
Bridie sadly passed away in 2019, but Ellie continues to visit Alec, who now lives an hour away from her.
A spokesperson for the Crichton Foundation said: “Being chosen as the winner is a wonderful testament to Ellie’s commitment not only to her studies but also her extra-curricular activities, which is exactly what Sir David wished to recognise and reward.”.
Ellie is the sixth recipient of the £1000 prize fund and the second nursing student to be selected as the winner.
As part of her degree, Ellie is currently on placement working with the elderly and she said: “Dumfries is very rural, and loneliness is a major thing here. Patients will come in because they are lonely- sometimes the nurse is the only person they will see all week.”
With lots of different befriending charities all across Scotland, Ellie is keen to encourage others to get involved, she continued: “The services will ask about your interests, and try to find a good match for you. It doesn’t need to be a huge commitment, it can be as little or as much as you want’.”
As for Ellie’s prize money, she’s not sure how she will spend it, adding: “I’d like to finish university and graduate first. And then maybe a holiday before I start my next role!”
