Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run. Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.

If you are aged 18 or over and fit and well with no underlying health conditions, could you offer some of your spare time to help at your local hospital or community healthcare setting? Key duties: • Spending time with patients who are on their own. • Recreational, social and therapeutic activities including: games, puzzles, reading, reminiscing hobbies and musical entertainment. • Accompany patients to non-clinical areas e.g. chapel, shop, restaurant/café with consent from families/patient. Patient must be independently mobile and deemed fit for leaving the ward area. • To ensure patients know where facilities are located. • Referring any patient concerns about their clinical care to a nurse. • Assisting at mealtimes with guidance from nursing staff. • Helping patients complete menu cards. • Handing out food trays and collecting used trays. • Cutting up food/opening containers • Checking and completing food/fluid charts (depending on ward area) • Providing fresh drinks and refilling water jugs Personal specification: • Volunteers must be 18 or over • This is not a clinical role and you will not be shadowing or assisting staff • Willingness to undertake any necessary training as outlined by staff • Ability to work as a team player • Ability to communicate well with patients • Patience and composure • A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach • Reliable/ dependable and flexible • Understanding of confidentiality • Have a positive outlook and enthusiastic approach Additional requirements and general information • Successful placement will be dependent on Disclosure Scotland PVG and Occupational health clearances plus two character references • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times • Volunteers should not: undertake duties outside this role description without checking first with the Volunteer Manager; undertake any manual handling tasks without the appropriate training; undertake patients’ personal or clinical care • A volunteer can offer emotional support and empathy but must under no circumstances offer advice or medical opinion on a patient’s treatment • Volunteers are in place to complement the work of the paid staff and are not used to replace roles that are normally undertaken by paid hospital employees • Volunteers are bound by the ‘Volunteer Agreement’ which should be signed and returned to the Volunteer Manager prior to undertaking this role • You will be required to undertake training relevant to the role including: corporate induction; role training prior to ward placement and other training as identified for the role whilst on placement • Volunteers are required during the following hours: breakfast 8am – 9.30am; lunchtime – 12 – 2pm (approx.); and evenings 5pm – 7pm. • Ability to commit to the same times each week would be preferre

Our 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline is a vital support for people with dementia, their carers & families and the wider community by ensuring that there is always someone there to listen and act when needed, be that day or night. The Helpline is delivered entirely by trained volunteers. This role can include telephone and online support. The role includes: Offering person-centred emotional support and information to people affected by dementia, primarily but not limited to, over the telephone. Developing and maintaining knowledge on health and social care issues that relate to people living with dementia, including statutory services and welfare benefits. Maintaining knowledge of other organisations and services that can help people living with dementia and sign post when appropriate. Recording information about enquiries on our database in line with our data protection policy. Attend ongoing training opportunities either online or in-person. Keep up to date with Alzheimer Scotland news and our work across Scotland. This volunteer role is available to people who can commit a minimum of 1 shift every 2 weeks. The Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so a variety of shifts are available.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run. Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.