Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (Aberdeen & Grampian Services)

Charity registered in Scotland SC018761

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.


Current opportunities

*Why we want you We believe everyone has the right to live life to the full following the diagnosis of a chest or heart condition, long covid, or a stroke. By volunteering with our Retail team, you can make a real difference to people in Scotland who are isolated, scared, or anxious about their condition. *What you will be doing • Approaching, telephoning, and emailing, shops, local businesses, and community venues and groups to ask for stock donations to be sold in the retail shops. • Building and maintaining strong relationships between donors, shop teams and drivers to arrange the collection and drop off of donations. • Thanking donors for their support. *The skills you need • Enjoy engaging with people • Happy and confident to approach people • Good organisational skills • Ability to keep accurate records *What is in it for you • Meet new people • Great experience with a major, recognised charity • Improve your own health and wellbeing • Learn and develop new skills • Make a real difference to the people Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland support • Use your skills and learn new ones • Expenses. Reasonable out of pocket expenses will be re-imbursed All help makes a real difference and is greatly appreciated. For more information/to apply please visit https://www.chss.org.uk/volunteer-opportunity/stock-generator-volunteer/ or email: volunteering@chss.org.uk

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.

Everyone has the right to live life to the full. After a diagnosis of a chest or heart condition, stroke, or Long Covid, many people experience fear and isolation, and struggle with the impact on their lives. The care and support we deliver every day ensures everyone can live the life they want to. Across Scotland, we provide vital advice, information, and support through our No Life Half Lived strategy. The walking project at CHSS aims to increase access to walking as part of the prevention of chest, heart or stroke conditions. As a walk leader you enable walks in your community. You will lead regular group health walks in the community alongside other Walk Leader Volunteers, these accessible walks are open to the public to attend and last no more than an hour. A fantastic opportunity to help and make a real difference for people and the community. All volunteers are greatly appreciated. For further information please contact Jacq Kent, Walking for Health Coordinator at email: jacqueline.kent@chss.org.uk or telephone: 07388378605.

As a CHSS Community Connector you can support CHSS any time or anywhere, giving as much or as little time to the tasks as you wish. As long as you have access to a smartphone, tablet or computer you can get involved to ensure No Life is Half Lived. *Why we want you You’ll support us by carrying out smalls tasks online or in your community which will make a massive difference to people living with our conditions. *What you will be doing • Liking and sharing posts on social media to help us spread our work • Completing online surveys • Signing campaigns or petitions *The skills you need • Able to share posts on social media channels • Access to a computer, tablet or smartphone *What's in it for you • A flexible opportunity to volunteer around your busy life • Make a real difference to people with our conditions • Improve your own health and wellbeing  • Use, learn and develop new skills *For more information For more details and to register your interest in volunteering please visit: https://volunteer.chss.org.uk/opportunities/51700-chss-community-connector or email the CHSS Volunteering Team at volunteering@chss.org.uk