RADIOGRAPHY students are working hard to improve their bedside manner - by volunteering en masse for a city cancer support service.

More than 20 students from Glasgow Caledonian University, who are training to become radiographers, are volunteering for the Macmillan Cancer Support information and support services that are set up in libraries across the city.

The volunteering began when lecturer Margaret Spalding spotted the project and realised it would be a great opportunity to help students understand the emotional impact of the illness.

Margaret said: "As radiographers, the students will be doing technical work that is focused on diagnosing and treating the illness. But we always encourage students to think about the wider impact cancer has on patients.

"This project seemed like a good way for students to develop communication skills and learn more about signposting patients to a wide range of support services. It also gives the students an opportunity to contribute to the local community."

The Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries project is a partnership between Macmillan and Glasgow Life that aims to put an information and support service or cancer information point in every city library.

So far 17 libraries have a drop-in support service and another 14 have information points. The remaining four are expected to have their own service by March next year.

Nicole Candlin, from Renfrew, began volunteering at Pollok Library in February

The 25-year-old said: "It has given me a broader awareness of what cancer patients and their families go through.

"Radiographers need to focus on the technical parts of their job as well as providing support to patients. This makes me more aware of when someone might need to be directed to support services."

Claire Brown, manager of the Macmillan@Glasgow Libraries project, said: "Cancer can impact on every aspect of someone's life, from how they feel emotionally to finances. The students have supported cancer patients and relatives and learned how wide-reaching the impact can be."

For information visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk/macmillan or call 0141 287 2999.