After spending days in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), Willie Millar never imagined he would one day return – not as a patient, but as a volunteer supporting others through some of their most difficult moments. Now, each week, he walks the same ward that once cared for him, offering reassurance and a listening ear.
Willie was admitted to hospital in September 2024 following complications linked to pancreatitis. What began as a routine procedure escalated into a medical emergency, resulting in major internal bleeding and emergency surgery.
“I spent nine days in ICU, hooked up to machines,” Willie said. “It was scary, confusing… I felt completely helpless and dependent on the staff around me.”
Willie experienced delirium during his stay – something he describes as one of the most distressing aspects of his experience.
“You’re not lying somewhere peaceful – it’s not like that. The things you see and feel can be really frightening, and even now I can still picture some of it,” he explained.
Although he recalls feeling reassured by the staff caring for him, much of his time in ICU remains a blur.
“I don’t remember a lot of faces – just flashes. But I did feel confident in the nurses and doctors. You know you’re in safe hands.”
After leaving ICU, Willie spent several more weeks recovering at GRI before returning home. But it was only later that he began to fully process what he – and his family – had been through.
“That was one of the biggest realisations,” he said. “I thought it was all about what I’d been through, but actually my wife and family went through a lot too. At the time, I didn’t really understand that.”
A turning point in his recovery came when he joined the hospital’s INSPIRE programme – a support group for former ICU patients and their families.
“I’d call it medication without taking tablets,” Willie said. “It’s about sitting, talking, listening to other people’s stories. It helped me make sense of everything.”
Initially unsure about sharing his own experiences, Willie soon found that opening up – and hearing from others – played a vital role in his recovery.
“You’re not just discharged and that’s it. INSPIRE helps you understand what’s happened, why you might feel the way you do, and how to move forward.”
For Willie, the experience also sparked a desire to give something back.
During his time in ICU, a volunteer had spent time supporting his wife, offering a cup of tea and someone to talk to. “That stuck with me,” he said. “So I thought, I’d like to do something similar – just to say thank you in my own way.”
He began volunteering with the INSPIRE sessions, helping to welcome people and create a supportive environment. Earlier this year, he took another step and started volunteering directly in ICU at GRI. Now, every Friday, Willie returns to the unit – but in a completely different role.
“The first time I went back, it was a bit daunting,” he admitted. “I recognised the bed area I’d been in, and it brought things back. But once I got over that, it became easier.”
Today, he feels part of the team. “The staff are amazing. Everyone – nurses, doctors, physios, pharmacists, cleaners – they’re all part of it. When I go in now, I feel included.”
His role is simple but powerful: to support patients and their families in whatever way he can.
“If people are able to talk, I’ll have a chat. Sometimes it’s just offering a cup of tea or sitting with someone. It’s about showing there’s light at the end of the tunnel – because I’ve been there.”
Willie hopes his presence can provide reassurance to families facing uncertain and frightening times. “I want people to know it’s not the end,” he said. “It might take time, and things might be different, but there is life beyond intensive care.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Willie also paid tribute to the staff who supported him and others through the most challenging moments of their lives. “I honestly think ICU – and the hospital in general – are amazing,” he said. “The staff are so helpful. You see what they deal with, and they just keep going, making sure everyone is looked after.”
He also believes that support for patients should not end when they leave hospital.
“The INSPIRE programme made such a difference to me,” he added. “It helped me understand what I’d been through and what my family had gone through as well. Support like that can really help people come to terms with things, and I think it could benefit more patients, not just those in ICU.”
Willie has already seen how sharing his story can encourage others to take steps in their own recovery.
“I’ve met people who are now coming along to INSPIRE and even thinking about volunteering themselves,” he said. “If telling my story helps someone else see there’s a way forward, then that’s a positive thing.”
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Nurse Director and Executive Lead for Volunteering at NHSGGC, said: “Willie’s story powerfully demonstrates the difference volunteering can make – not only to patients and families, but to the volunteers themselves. His journey from ICU patient to volunteer is inspiring, and it highlights the compassion, empathy and lived experience that volunteers bring to our services every single day.”
Neil McCallum, North Sector Director at NHSGGC, added: “This is a remarkable example of the impact our staff and volunteers have on people’s lives. Willie’s decision to return and support others in the same environment where he once received care is incredibly powerful.
“Stories like this remind us of the human side of healthcare and the importance of kindness, connection and support throughout a patient’s journey.”
For Willie, the journey from patient to volunteer has come full circle – and continues to make a difference, both for others and for himself.
“I’m still getting a lot out of it,” he said. “And I just hope other people do too.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer and making a difference is encouraged to find out more and explore current opportunities on the NHSGGC website.
To find out more about volunteering with NHSGGC, go to Volunteering with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – NHSGGC
