Community Support Volunteers (Aberdeen & North Aberdeenshire)

  • VO91647


Description

Join our amazing team of Community Support Volunteers in Aberdeen and North Aberdeenshire, who support people who have had one of our conditions to develop autonomy and confidence in self-management, enabling them to fully engage with their community and activities of their choosing. The service follows a pathway from hospital to community and can be delivered in a one-to-one and/or group setting in person, virtually or via telephone.

We also have opportunities for volunteers to become Walk Leaders, to safely lead community health walks either in a 1:1 or group setting, while effectively supporting people living with and at high risk of our conditions.

The service can be delivered to provide person-centred support for those with a communication difficulty and/or to support an individual to achieve a specific goal.

A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people and the community. Excellent support and relevant training is provided to all volunteers and all assistance is greatly appreciated.

For more details please contact us at volunteering@chss.org.uk or visit our website at https://www.chss.org.uk/volunteer-with-chss to apply.

Organisation aims and objectives

Chest, heart and stroke conditions affect one in five people in Scotland and we know there’s so much more to be done to reach everyone who needs support. That’s why, as a values-driven organisation, we are striving to develop innovative solutions to the challenges people living with our conditions face. We want people living with our conditions to be able to live their life to the full, accessing the medical, rehabilitation and wellbeing support they need at the time and place they want. Through our campaigning work, we fight for their right to the services they need. We are using our entrepreneurial talents to generate income to develop new services using the latest technology. Our agile forward-thinking approach is creating health solutions that will improve lives and reduce the burden on our struggling NHS. CHSS is playing a major role in healthcare in Scotland, with aspirations to work collectively with local and national healthcare partners to do so much more. We are accountable to the people we support living with our conditions. That’s why we have embedded a people-driven, participative approach to work inclusively to identify our priorities. Our vision: welcome to a Scotland where people with our conditions can live their lives well. Full lives, with the right support, at the right time and in the right place. A place where they can shape their future and live the life they want to lead. Our mission: welcome to a community where people can support each other, secure the expert help they need and collectively advocate for the care that matters to them. Welcome to the charity that never underestimates the power of a cup of tea, a conversation started, a recovery begun. No Life Half Lived means we need to listen to people with our conditions and deliver well for them. We have identified four goals to get us there: • We will place our focus on addressing the unmet needs of people with our conditions - social, emotional and physical - across all Scotland’s communities. • We will be led by our people: people with lived experience of our conditions, their families and carers, friends, colleagues and healthcare professionals. • We will secure the funding required to deliver via a diverse income portfolio that is consistent with our values and ethical approach • We will be effective and accountable in all that we do Everyone has the right to live life to the full. After a diagnosis of a chest or heart condition or a stroke, many people experience fear and isolation and struggle with the impact on their lives. CHSS won’t stand for that. The care and support we deliver every day ensures everyone can live the life they want to.

Frequency and commitment details

Flexible times available to suit volunteers. All help greatly appreciated.

Restrictions

To undertake your role you will be required to undertake membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Adults) Scheme in Scotland (PVG) (there is no cost for this for volunteers/Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland will arrange everything).
Experience required: • Caring and considerate • Patient • Non-judgemental • Desire to support people • Good communication skills • Reliable • Understanding of confidentiality
Travel details: • Aberdeen and North Aberdeenshire areas • Range of settings, including hospitals and community settings. • Volunteers are entitled to claim all out of pocket expenses, as agreed in advance with their Volunteer Line Manager.
Minimum age: 18

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: • Volunteers are entitled to claim all out of pocket expenses, as agreed in advance with their Volunteer Line Manager. Volunteers are reimbursed on a fortnightly basis.
Training details: Excellent support and training provided to all volunteers. CHSS will provide a training package to support you in your role which may include: • Various self-led e-Learning modules • Supported Communication • Roles, Responsibilities and Boundaries • Emergency First Aid at Work • Assisting with Mobility • Ongoing support from Volunteer Line Manager
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet