Communication Support Volunteer (Hospital & Group) (Living well with Aphasia) - Lothian

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
VO105751

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.
Join our amazing team of Communication Support Volunteers, 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. This role will support people with communication difficulty to access supported self management in a group setting at one of our Living Well with Aphasia groups.
Why we want you
You will support us by providing support to those with aphasia & communication difficulties following stroke.
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.
What you will be doing
You’ll provide in person support to people living with our conditions
Embrace a non-judgement, supportive approach to enable service users to achieve their goal(s)
Empower and enable those accessing our services to gain confidence and engage fully in activities of their choosing moving forward from Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland
Complete record of activity and progress
Update Co-ordinator with any concerns or identified areas where additional support may be required
Support individuals who have aphasia or communication difficulty to practice their communication skills and achieve communication-related goals.
Attend (in person or virtual) 6 weekly support and supervision session with co-ordinator
The skills you need
Good listening and communication skills
Reliable, patient and empathic qualities
Ability to motivate people to reach their potential
Encouraging and supportive
Ability to volunteer independently with guidance and support
Respectful of the opinions of others
Understand the need for confidentiality
Able to maintain boundaries
Willingness to travel within own area
Able to commit to initial and ongoing training and development
Ambassador for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
What's in it for you
Make a real difference to people with our conditions
Meet new people
Use, learn and develop new skills
Access to a bespoke range of training and development to support you in your role
Improve your own health and wellbeing
Opportunity to explore different roles within our organisation
Disclaimer
Expenses  Reasonable out-of- pocket expenses will be reimbursed. These should be discussed with your Line Manager prior to outlay and must be submitted within the prescribed guidelines as detailed in the CHSS Volunteer Expenses Policy.   Safeguarding In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Adults) Scheme in Scotland (PVG). Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland are committed to equality of opportunity, and we aim to ensure no volunteer is unfairly treated on the grounds of an offending background.