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You are in: Home > Volunteering > What Can I Do? > Heart Failure And COPD Volunteer

Heart Failure And COPD Volunteer

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), in partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, aims to support clients and carers with the social impact of heart failure and COPD who are living in the community, through the Heart Failure and COPD Support Service.

People affected by heart failure and COPD often experience breathlessness, distress, anxiety and social isolation. The coordinator, assisted by volunteers, offers companionship, information and support to enable clients to be socially active.

Volunteer Roles

Becoming a Heart Failure / COPD Volunteer is an opportunity to undertake a satisfying and rewarding role as part of our team in the Advice and Support Department. As a volunteer befriender you will visit clients in their homes and help to address the social isolation experienced by so many after a diagnosis of heart failure or COPD.

The role includes:

• Undertaking to visit a client for an agreed period (6 months minimum).
• Visiting the client on a weekly or fortnightly basis depending upon volunteer availability and client wishes, usually for between 1 and 2 hours.
• Providing positive companionship and social support.
• Attending a set of core training sessions including: an introduction to Heart Failure, Introduction of COPD, the structure of CHSS, aspects and boundaries of a befriending relationship – exploring the role from the first meeting with a client through to looking at how befriending relationships can end. All training should be completed within 3 months of your start date.
• Attending ongoing training sessions every 2 or 3 months.
• Accepting the boundaries of a befriending relationship.
• Undertaking an Appointed Person's First Aid training course.
• Undertaking Moving and Handling training.
• Meeting with the coordinator on a regular basis for supervision sessions.
• Sending monthly record of visits forms to coordinator.

Skills and experience required:

• Caring and considerate attitude
• Patience
• Good organisational and observational skills
• Initiative and leadership skills
• Non–judgemental approach
• Genuine desire to support people
• Good communication and listening skills
• Reliability and commitment
• Understanding of confidentiality

All necessary training will be provided by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and all volunteers will be supported by a Heart Failure / COPD Support Service Coordinator.

Further information

Complete the following form What Do I Do Next?

or contact Debra Ibbitson on 0131 225 6963.

You can also call the CHSS Volunteering Line on 0800 169 5139.

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