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Volunteer Focus
Each year over a fantastic 1000 volunteers assist Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland deliver our services and raise funds within the communities of Scotland. Volunteers provide enormous help to the organisation and there are many opportunities for volunteers in your area.
Befriender: New Volunteer Role in Lanarkshire
Our pioneering Heart Failure Support Service helps people living in the community overcome the social impact of heart failure by introducing them to a Heart Failure Support Befriender.
People living with heart failure experience physical symptoms which can result in social isolation and it can be difficult for them to regain the confidence to go back out into the community. By introducing them to a CHSS volunteer befriender the service can help them recover their confidence and regain some independence. Volunteers visit on a regular basis and may, for example, help clients to take part in social outings, attend community or church groups, or provide relief for carers.
We have been running the service very successfully in Lothian since 2004, where apart from the personal day-to-day benefits it has had for clients, it may have contributed to lower heart failure hospital admissions. We have recently expanded the service into Lanarkshire where we are sure the service will have a similar impact.
Volunteers are given a comprehensive induction and provided with ongoing support and training. All expenses incurred are reimbursed.
" I don't have much contact with people in my job so I love being with my client and feel like I'm really doing something for somebody".
"I've been visiting my client for three years now and I still look forward to our Wednesday mornings together. She's a hoot!"
"My client hardly speaks to a soul from one end of the week to the other so he's often a bit down when I first go in. I can always get him to laugh before I leave, though!"
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