Find opportunities

From stunning boutiques full of designer gems to discount stores where you can grab a bargain, our charity shops are much-loved across Scotland. We are looking for friendly volunteers to help our shop management team assist customers and donors, and ensure the shop is tidy and well stocked. Whether you have a passion for fashion and love chatting to customers, or you would prefer to be behind the scenes in our stockroom, your help could make a difference in your local community. Our Retail Volunteer Anne shares why she loves volunteering, “I wanted to learn new skills as well as get to know more people locally, so volunteering in the shop was ideal. I enjoy being part of the team! It’s good to feel useful and part of the successful running of the shop.” 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. Our shops are vital in helping us raise the funds needed to provide services such as community support services, specialist nurses, advice and information, education, and peer support. Join our fabulous team of Retail volunteers and learn new skills, make great friends, and make a real difference to people in Scotland who are isolated, scared, or anxious about their condition.

From stunning boutiques full of designer gems to discount stores where you can grab a bargain, our charity shops are much-loved across Scotland.    We are looking for friendly volunteers to help our shop management team assist customers and donors, and ensure the shop is tidy and well stocked. Whether you have a passion for fashion and love chatting to customers, or you would prefer to be behind the scenes in our stockroom, your help could make a difference in your local community.    Our Retail Volunteer Anne shares why she loves volunteering, “I wanted to learn new skills as well as get to know more people locally, so volunteering in the shop was ideal. I enjoy being part of the team! It’s good to feel useful and part of the successful running of the shop.”    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. Our shops are vital in helping us raise the funds needed to provide services such as community support services, specialist nurses, advice and information, education, and peer support.    Join our fabulous team of Retail volunteers and learn new skills, make great friends, and make a real difference to people in Scotland who are isolated, scared, or anxious about their condition. 

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. The care and support we deliver every day ensures everyone can live the life they want to. Across Scotland, we will 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. 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.

Volunteer Gardeners are needed to prepare the garden areas at Midlothian Community Hospital for the delivery of a rejuvenation project led by the NHS Lothian Charity. You would also support the development and ongoing maintenance of the garden areas for the benefit of patients, staff, and visitors. Tasks would include: weeding, trimming, pruning, and clearing out of dead plants; preparing soil for Spring plantings; maintaining garden equipment and storage areas; and taking part in group gardening activities as arranged. When the gardens are in good order, there will also be the opportunity to offer patients the opportunity to sit in or take walks in the gardens. Volunteer Gardeners will be managed by a Voluntary Services Manager, but also take directions from a Garden Designer and the Arts & Greenspace Manager from the NHS Lothian Charity.

Providing practical and emotional support to help clients recovering from ill health or facing isolation gain independence and re-engage in their community. Provide tailored support and encouragement to individual clients to support recovery, reduce isolation, improve health and wellbeing and reduce likelihood of hospital admission. This varies by individual and can include: - phone-calls, visits, accompanied walks/visits/shopping including driving or public transport - mobility practice, seated exercise, practicing domestic tasks in any hospital reablement plan - encourage healthy eating and hydration - offer practical support e.g. prescription collection, dog walking, household paperwork, IT support - guide clients to other sources of support and activities

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run. Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run. Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run. Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland supports groups across Scotland to meet the needs of people living with chest and heart conditions and following a stroke. Peer support groups give people the chance to share experiences with others who understand what they are going through. Peer support groups have various reasons for coming together. It may be to meet socially, take part in physical activity or learn how to live well with their condition. Each group is unique and tailored to the needs of its local community. Everyone involved with the group will have a say in how the group is run. Tasks may include setting up and clearing the room; organising refreshments; taking the register, and collecting subs; meeting, and greeting new members; organising, and taking part in the programme of activities; supporting, and taking part in fundraising (e.g., raffles); promoting the group; and working to the group’s health & safety and other procedures.

Home Support Volunteers visit families in their own homes to provide practical support. This can include helping with housekeeping, spending time with siblings, meal preparation, or other tasks to ‘lighten the load’ of family life. A rewarding role, where you are making a direct difference. What activities will I be involved in? Your initial introductory visit will be with a member of staff, but you will then visit unaccompanied Supporting families with ‘everyday’ tasks – these will vary and be dependent on the family’s needs, and the skills you bring. They may include: Housekeeping – hoovering, ironing, changing beds, general tidying Practical Sibling Support - collecting siblings from school/clubs within walking distance of their home, assisting with homework, spending time with siblings/play Meal Preparation - batch cooking or supporting families to cook (this does require specific training, which we will provide) Other - gardening, dog-walking, basic DIY eg. helping with flat-pack furniture Develop positive relationships with families, being respectful of their home and belongings Immediately communicate any concerns which may arise about a families wellbeing, including child protection concerns Be respectful of sensitive and confidential medical and personal information regarding the children and families accessing our services How much time should I offer? You can volunteer on any day of the week; mornings, afternoons, or early evenings. An average shift is approx 2 hours with the family, and ideally we are looking for a weekly commitment. Usually volunteers support each family for a period of months (dependent on need), then would be introduced to another family. It is possible there will be a short time between supporting different families. Where is the Opportunity based? CHAS supports families across the whole of Scotland. For this role you will support families in their own homes, within a short travelling distance of where you live. What are the benefits to me? Using your skills and developing new ones Making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition Experience, adding to your CV and career prospects Meeting new people Having fun! What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS? Families supported by CHAS are often under a lot of strain, and caring for a child with a life-limiting condition can take a lot of the family’s time and attention. Often other household tasks, and family life, can become more difficult to manage, and can begin to feel overwhelming. This role makes a direct and instant difference to families. What else should I know? This role is for those aged 18+. You are required to be able to drive and to have access to your own vehicle (travel expenses can be claimed). You will need to complete Visit Logs online, these can be accessed through a phone, computer or tablet, and will require an internet connection (a high level of ‘technology’ knowledge is not required to complete these). This role requires membership of the PVG scheme. There is a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. You may already have a PVG form – if so you will only need to complete an update form. The process won’t cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis. We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy. CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation will improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise. We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. Please feel welcome to contact Emma Steel, Home Support Lead (West), on 01389 722079 or emmasteel@chas.org.uk if you have any questions, or would like to discuss the role.