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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.
New Heart Failure / COPD Support Service in Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
A new service by leading medical charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, was launched March 2010.
The service supports those living in the community with Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) by training and supporting volunteer befrienders to visit clients in their own homes.
The service aims to reduce isolation and enhance the quality of life of clients by offering companionship, information and support. Volunteers are carefully matched with clients and visit them on a regular basis.
Heart Failure is a term used to describe the condition where the heart muscle has become weakened and is unable to pump blood around the body as efficiently as before. Heart Failure can affect a person at any age and numbers of people with Heart Failure in the UK is set to rise to 1.5 million by 2015.
COPD is a term used to describe a number of conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD damages the airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrower making it harder for air to get in and out. It is projected to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. (World Health Statistics 2008.)
Both conditions affect thousands of people living in Scotland. The impact on the well–being of those who live with the physical limitations is often heightened due to the anxiety and social isolation experienced by many.
The Heart Failure Support Service already operates successful befriending services in Lothian and Lanarkshire for heart failure patients. People who have experienced support through this service have had lots of positive things to say:
'The regular outings I have with my volunteer allow me to enjoy going to places of my choice which otherwise I have little hope of seeing again'.
'Having spent most of the afternoon on my own, I really appreciate a visitor'.
The befriending service is flexible to the needs of individual clients and can include a wide range of activities from outings and trips to quiet times of enjoyable conversation. It can also bring some relief for carers.
The service will be developed over the next 3 years by Local Coordinator Debra Ibbitson, who will provide support and training to volunteers. Debra says: 'It is great that the service has been expanded to benefit those living in Glasgow and Clyde area and that it will include support for those living with COPD. Volunteering can be such a rewarding experience, there has already been a good response from people who want to help and make a difference in the lives of others.'
If you want to get involved you do not need any special qualifications to join us as we will provide all the training you require.
If you can offer a commitment and would like to support people with Heart Failure / COPD, we would like to hear from you. In return we offer you the chance to learn new skills, out–of–pocket expenses, a rewarding experience and the satisfaction of helping people in your own community.
If you know anyone who would benefit from the service, we take self referrals and referrals from statutory & voluntary organisations. The only criteria are a diagnosis of Heart Failure / COPD and isolation.
Further information
Please contact:
Debra Ibbitson
HF / COPD Support Service Coordinator
(Greater Glasgow & Clyde)
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
65 North Castle Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3LT
Tel: 0131 225 6963
Email Debra Ibbitson
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