MAKING Christmas special for their clients is important to Glasgow's home carers.

But this year in particular that task is vital - but also harder than ever.

Gillian Malley is one of more than 1000 home carers who will be out on Christmas Day this year making sure some of the city's more vulnerable residents feel part of a family.

Gillian was a barber before she switched, six years ago, to a career in care.

The move was prompted by seeing how well looked after her late father was in a hospice.

She said: "I love my job, I love helping people.

"Sometimes we are like family to them and see them more than their family - sometimes we are the only people they have got."

Home care allows people to stay in their own environment for as long as possible and Gillian says that's an important part of the job for her.

She also says carers build up close relationships with the people they look after.

This year, though, has been tough.

Gillian said: "During the pandemic it was quite scary and sad.

"We were always in gloves to protect our service user but we now have to wear masks as well.

"The mask is a barrier more than physically as they can't see your face and sometimes can't work out what you're saying.

"Mentally it's affected everyone, each home carer that has been out working through this has been affected physically and mentally.

"You are exhausted, it's quite hard to wind down sometimes."

%image('12162505', type='article-full', caption='Betty McNab with her carer Gillian Malley outside Betty's house in Baillieston Picture: Robert Perry', alt='Betty McNab with her carer Gillian Malley outside Betty's house in Baillieston Picture: Robert Perry')

The mum-of-three has a busy time outside of work with her 26-year-old, 21-year-old and 11-year-old children.

She worked Christmas Day last year and will be out again this year.

While it's hard to be apart from her children, she said they "know it's my job" and are supportive.

The family will fit their Christmas celebrations around Gillian's shifts.

She said: "I do miss having Christmas Day with my family but for the service users we can be the only family they have and for some the only person they will see is me so I need to make it special.

"It's harder this year because we have to be so careful about everything and we're not allowed to take Christmas cards in.

"But we will make sure they have something special to eat, they have all their comforts and the Christmas programmes on the TV.

"It will be a challenge for the carers this year to make things festive.

"Usually people have the run up to Christmas with all those celebrations.

"Usually, even if you are alone on Christmas Day, you have had a good December but that's not the case this year so it's up to all the home carers to make sure our clients have as normal and special a Christmas as possible."