Utilising the power of volunteering
At Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS), everything we do is driven by a simple, yet powerful, belief: no life should be half lived.
Every year, thousands of people in Scotland are affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions. For many, this can be a life-altering experience that leaves them struggling to regain their independence, confidence and place in their community. Our role is to make sure that every one of them has the support they need to recover, rebuild and reconnect.
This mission is too large for staff alone. It is powered by the compassion, energy and dedication from thousands of people across Scotland - our volunteers. They are not just part of CHSS; they are the lifeblood of our work.
From providing one-on-one support for people rebuilding their lives after a stroke, to running our shops, leading community walks, or spreading awareness of healthy living, volunteers enable us to reach further and achieve more than we ever could alone.
Volunteering is woven into the fabric of CHSS. It runs like a golden thread through our No Life Half Lived strategy, and ensures that the people we support are never isolated or forgotten.
It is no exaggeration to say that without our volunteers, our vision would not be possible.
Why our volunteers are vital
Across Scotland, thousands of people give their time and energy to CHSS every year. Their impact is seen in every corner of our work. They raise vital funds through our shops and events, support people in communities with practical advice and encouragement. They broaden our reach and voice, connecting us with places and people we may never reach otherwise.
Volunteers enrich our strategy. They bring skills, insights and lived experiences that make our services stronger and more human. They hold us accountable, reminding us of the communities we serve and the difference we must continue to make.
Many volunteers are motivated by their own lived experiences. One told us that after recovering from a stroke, they chose to volunteer as a way of “giving back”. In doing so, they discovered that supporting others also accelerated their recovery.
That sense of mutual benefit is powerful, as it turns volunteering from a simple act of giving into a shared journey of hope, progress and connection.
A diversity of roles
One of the strengths of volunteering at CHSS is flexibility. We know that people’s lives are busy and varied, so we design roles that can work for anyone, whether they have five minutes or five hours to give.
Our volunteers can be found in many places:
- Supporting people directly through our Community Healthcare Support Service, by offering one-to-one encouragement, leading group sessions or reducing isolation through our Advice Line.
- Promoting prevention and wellbeing, by leading community walking groups or staffing our Health Defence Hubs to provide basic health assessments and lifestyle advice.
- Expanding our reach and voice as Community Connectors, sharing messages about chest, heart and stroke health across Scotland.
- Raising funds in our network of shops, where over 1,000 volunteers help to keep our doors open, and at fundraising events where volunteers ensure activities run smoothly while cheering on participants.
- Employees volunteering with support from their employers, where businesses partner with us to create meaningful opportunities that support CHSS and boost employee wellbeing and team spirit.
This wide variety of opportunities means there is truly something for everyone, whether you want to make a one-off contribution or take on an ongoing role in your community.
Supporting and motivating volunteers
Providing support and recognition are cornerstones of our approach. We believe volunteers should always feel welcomed, accepted and valued. Their motivations for joining us will always be met with understanding and respect.
Every volunteer receives a proper induction that introduces them to CHSS, our values and their role. They also have access to policies, training and resources to help them succeed.
Support doesn’t stop after induction. We ensure ongoing, meaningful contact through regular conversations with our volunteer managers, as well as opportunities for informal learning, “Skill Up” sessions or progression into new roles.
One of the most valuable aspects of our model is ensuring volunteers have a voice. Our Volunteering Strategy Group includes volunteers from across Scotland who help shape our initiatives and decision making. Their input ensures that volunteering isn’t something done for them, but with them.
Technology also plays a big role. Through The Access Group’s Assemble platform, volunteers can stay connected, message their manager, read news and find out about upcoming events. This has been transformative in creating a sense of belonging. Using this software has created a sense of community. Volunteers feel more connected to CHSS, and we have seen higher engagement in appreciation events as a result.
Most importantly, we never underestimate the value of simple, human recognition. Volunteers repeatedly tell us that meaningful conversations, regular “thank yous” and clear feedback are just as important, if not more so, than formal awards.
Recognising and rewarding volunteers
At CHSS, recognition comes in many forms, from formal to informal. We host Volunteer Connection and Celebration Events across Scotland, where we share stories of impact and thank volunteers in person. We mark national campaigns like Volunteers Week, award certificates and badges to celebrate milestones, and nominate volunteers for external awards where they can be honoured publicly.
Recognition is also tailored to individual motivations. Some value public acknowledgement, while others prefer the quiet satisfaction of knowing they made a difference. One volunteer told us the most meaningful recognition they ever received came from a family member of someone they had supported: “They explained how the time I had spent with their loved one meant so much, as I was someone who genuinely cared. That, to me, was the greatest reward.”
This flexibility in recognition is essential. Volunteers are not a homogenous group and our approach must reflect the diversity of their reasons for being with us.
What makes us different
Volunteer involvement is not an add-on at CHSS - it is embedded in our DNA. Volunteers don’t just help us deliver our mission. They shape it, influence it and enrich it.
We are proud to have achieved the Investing in Volunteers Award five times, most recently in 2023. The assessor noted that our Volunteer Strategy Group in particular was “particularly impressive” for ensuring volunteer voices are integrated into planning and operations. For us, this award isn’t just recognition - it’s confirmation that we are living our values.
We also hold a fundamental belief that volunteering is for everyone. No matter how much time you have to give, there is a role where your contribution will matter. That ethos of accessibility, inclusivity and flexibility sets us apart.
Advice for other charities
Over the years, we’ve learned several lessons about volunteer recognition and management that we believe are useful for other charities:
- Connect volunteering to strategy - volunteers must always understand how their contribution links directly to the mission. Showing the impact of their work is one of the strongest motivators.
- Value the unique input of volunteers. They bring skills, compassion and lived experience that staff alone cannot replicate. Recognising and harnessing that is crucial.
- Invest in people and infrastructure. Supporting volunteers requires trained managers, digital tools and ongoing development. These are not luxuries; they are essential.
- Stay flexible and innovative. Lives are busy and commitments are changing. Roles need to be acceptable, accessible and creative.
- Prioritise relationships. Awards and events matter, but nothing replaces day-to-day appreciation. The bond between a volunteer and their volunteer manager is the foundation of a positive experience.
The future of our volunteering
Volunteering will always be at the heart of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. As we move forward with our No Life Half Lived strategy, we will continue to innovate, listen and invest in our volunteer community. We know that every contribution - every hour given, every conversation shared, every skill offered - brings us closer to our vision of a Scotland where no one’s life is half lived.
