Make Gargowan Café your next stop
Gratitude for Growth: A Reflection on Training and Trust
Gabriel Jordan, Spiritual Care Practitioner
As I look back on the past year, I feel a deep sense of gratitude to the Ayrshire Hospice for supporting me through the Postgraduate Certificate in Chaplaincy at Newman University. This has not only been a significant academic achievement for me personally, but also a deeply formative experience that continues to shape the way I understand and offer spiritual care.
The course gave me the opportunity to explore, in depth, the many layers of what it means to offer presence, meaning-making and compassionate support in a healthcare setting. From reflective practice, theology, faith and spirituality to rituals, leadership, ethics and practical skills, I’ve been able to expand both my knowledge and my confidence in this unique and vital work. More than anything, it has affirmed for me
to invest in me by financing this course. That kind of trust and belief is something I don’t take for granted. It felt like a strong vote of confidence in my role as a Spiritual Care Practitioner in training, as well as in my progression to now working as a fully accredited healthcare chaplain. Since completing the course, I’ve been working more autonomously and, with the fantastic support of my line manager and mentor, Scott McKenna, I feel well equipped to take on this responsibility. I can see how the investment in my training is already paying off – not just for me professionally, but for those I have the privilege of supporting each day.
Whether you’re looking for a coffee after the school run, breakfast on your way to work, lunch with friends or something to take away before a walk along the beach, there’s always a reason to pop into Gargowan Café. Open to everyone a nd located at the heart of the Ayrshire Hospice at Racecourse Road, our bright and welcoming café serves a delicious range of breakfasts, lunches, light bites and sweet treats, alongside a great choice of teas, coffees and other drinks. Our menus celebrate local produce and there’s plenty to choose from whether you have time to sit in and relax or simply want to grab something to take away. And when the Ayrshire weather is on our side, our new outdoor seating area in the courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy it. A real sun trap, it’s a lovely spot to catch up with friends over coffee, enjoy some lunch or simply take a little time out. We’re just a short walk from Ayr town centre and only five minutes from the beach, with free visitor parking available on site. Well-behaved dogs are welcome too, so your four-legged friends don’t have to miss out!
that spiritual care is an essential part of holistic care – not
just an ‘add-on’, but something that can deeply support patients, families and staff alike. Spiritual care
For me, this is a dream job and I feel very blessed to serve the Ayrshire Hospice. To all those who made this possible – thank you.
is something I believe we all do well at the Hospice.
These special visits have brought plenty of smiles and given patients, families and staff another opportunity to spend time together and enjoy our beautiful Hospice gardens.
I’m especially grateful to the Hospice for recognising my abilities and choosing
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Gargowan Café is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4pm, with last orders at 3.30pm.
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September 2026 | EDITION 42
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