Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland provides support services to people affected by chest, heart and stroke illnesses through medical research, advice and information, and community support services run by staff and trained volunteers. Their volunteer stroke services include core conversation groups, social communication groups, drop-in services, and outreach services to help people with communication difficulties due to stroke achieve their goals and participate in social and community activities. They also support self-help groups run by volunteers in local communities.
2. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland improves the quality of life
for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke
illness through:
• medical research
• advice and information
• support in the community
Volunteer Stroke Services run
by a member of CHSS staff
supported by a team of trained
volunteers
Community Services are provided in two distinct
sections:
Community Services
Network – Affiliated stroke
groups which are run by
volunteers or members as
self help groups
3. Volunteer Stroke Services
Provide a range of services which meet the needs of people
who have had a stroke which has resulted in communication
difficulties.
Members, in consultation with staff, set their own
communication based goals and work to move on to leisure,
employment or social activities.
4. Group Services
Core Conversation Groups
For individuals with significant
communication support needs.
Encourage and enable members to
express their choices and opinions
using a variety of ways of
communicating.
Social Communication
Groups
Allow members to experience and
enjoy social communication
through activities.
Communication support is
provided to include everyone.
“Drop In”Services
Members“drop in”on
designated dates.
Provide information on
opportunities and services.
Encourage members towards
independence.
5. Outreach Services
Conversation Partner –
Hospital based Service
Volunteers work with patients on a
one to one basis providing
communication support.
Helps to reduce social isolation
created by communication difficulties.
Conversation Partner –
Community Outreach Service
For some people their main goal is to be
independent as soon as possible.
Communication support is provided to
enable members to access services in the
community public transport, shopping etc.
Conversation Partner – Home Outreach Service
Volunteers work with members on a one
to one basis.
Helps build on the communication skills
they have been developing in hospital.
Focus on achieving the individual goals.
Helps to build confidence to move on to
mainstream community services.
6. These groups are affiliated to Chest Heart & Stroke
Scotland not provided by the charity.
The groups are as individual as the volunteer who run
them, reflecting local interests and diversity.
The principle of all groups is to support members to enjoy
activities.
Community Services Network –
Self Help Groups
7. Accessing CHSS services
• Health professional
• Social care staff
• Self referral; call 0131 225 6963
8. Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
Head Office
Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Tel: 0131 225 6963
Fax: 0131 220 6313
Email: admin@chss.org.uk
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and CHSS are operating names of The
Chest Heart & Stroke Association Scotland, a registered Scottish Charity
Registration No SC018761.
Your local co-ordinator is:
