Charity’s heartfelt thanks to its volunteers across Scotland

This is Volunteers’ Week and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland is highlighting the contributions made every day by around 8,000 volunteers who help support vulnerable people.

Volunteers are helping people while they live in isolation or have very limited contact with family and friends.

CHSS volunteers check in with people by phone and video calls, collect shopping and medication, walk dogs and help people stay connected to the outside world.

The charity’s chief executive Jane-Claire Judson said: “We want to say a massive thank you to all of our amazing volunteers. We have people living in our communities who are scared and isolated and it’s so reassuring to know that our volunteers are joining us during this crisis and beyond to fight back with kindness.

“Many people have lost their weekly support groups, often their only social interaction, which is devastating to them. However, our volunteers are able to help reduce feelings of isolation and provide small acts of kindness which can make a huge difference to people’s health and wellbeing. It can mean the world to them and it means the world to everyone at Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.

“Volunteers’ Week is a great time to celebrate their hard work and share our thanks and appreciation for all of our volunteers throughout the charity.

“We are so grateful for the work that they have done and continue to do; especially now as we need to make sure that that no one is left to fight coronavirus alone.”