Caring for Key Workers | Pamela McGibbon

Go behind the front line in our latest Caring for Key Workers interview, as we speak with Emergency Ambulance Dispatcher, Pamela McGibbon.

I’m feeling incredibly lucky at the moment. Lucky to be healthy to be able to go to work, to do a job that can help people during this pandemic.

Can you tell us more about what your role involves?

As an Emergency Ambulance Dispatcher, my job is to dispatch emergency ambulances to people who have called 999. These include calls from doctors and transfers between hospitals. I work 12-hour shifts, a mix of day shifts and nightshifts covering all of Ayrshire (including your lovely home of Arran!) and all of Dumfries and Galloway.

What are you finding most challenging in your line of work at the moment?

It’s horrible seeing just how ill people have become with the virus. It doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone, so we’re all trying our hardest at the moment to distance from everyone. You don’t realise just how much close contact you have with people until you are told not to. A petty problem is also the amount of alcohol gel we are all using is really drying up all our hands.

How are you feeling during this difficult time?

I’m feeling incredibly lucky at the moment. Lucky to be healthy to be able to go to work, to do a job that can help people during this pandemic. Lucky that I still have a job and I’m able to pay my bills and put food on the table. Lucky that I can get out and see people other than my immediate family. Not many people can say all of those things so for that, I’m thankful.

What are you doing to remain positive in the current climate?

I’m refusing to watch the news. I feel that I hear enough about COVID-19 at work so I don’t want to hear about it at home too. Although we are all confined to home at the moment, my husband and I love camping so we’re thinking ahead of when we can get the tent out and get away with the dog and spend some time away from the DIY projects we’re currently completing.

How do you prefer to unwind after the end of a long day?

As soon as I’m home, I’m out of my uniform and straight into my pyjamas. Work is left at the door and a cheeky glass of wine is usually poured. I’m in the middle of my 2nd large crochet blanket, which should be finished by winter 2030 at the rate I’m going! 

What three items are essential in your daily unwind routine?

I’m not going to lie, wine is top of that list! Scented candles are also essential for me. My favourite ARRAN fragrance is After the Rain, however I received a delivery 3 days ago and instead of choosing my go-to candle scent, I chose the mixed Floral Fresh box of mini candles and I’ve fallen in love with the Wild Gorse fragrance. Lastly, a cuddle. A big bear hug from the husband is the best thing after a long day! 

What are your top three ARRAN Sense of Scotland products and why?

My first encounter with Arran products was a stay in The Oban Bay Hotel where the After the Rain products were in the bathroom. When I got home, I rushed straight out to buy them and I think I got everything in the collection.

I love the hand soap and hand cream. The hand cream is amazing and just melts into the skin without a greasy residue. As mentioned before, I love a scented candle and the Wild Gorse fragrance is now my favourite. The scent throw is great and can be smelled all over the house when it’s been burning for only an hour. I lastly love the Seaweed Salt Scrub too. It smells amazing, and I have bad circulation on my upper arms so a good exfoliation helps to increase the blood flow too. 

I’ve fallen in love with the Wild Gorse fragrance...The scent throw is great and can be smelled all over the house when it’s been burning for only an hour.