Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Opens Doors to Prestwick Store

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has opened the doors to its newest shop on Prestwick’s Main Street. 

Scotland’s largest health charity has been welcomed in the Prestwick community after opening today (December 5th). 

Funds raised at the store will help Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland support the one in five people across Scotland living with a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid.

Lisa Scott, Retail Regional Manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to finally get to meet the community of Prestwick after lots of hard work to get the shop up and running. 

“Our retail stores are hugely important in raising funds for our charity. We pride ourselves in offering high quality pre-loved items. Every penny raised in Scotland stays in Scotland. 

“Volunteers are key to everything that we do as a charity. We’d love to hear from anyone in the local area who would like to join our busy retail team to make sure our newest store is a success. 

“We’re always on the lookout for volunteers to come and give their time to help us to support the one in five people across Scotland with a chest, heart, stroke condition or Long Covid.” 

For assistant shop manager Kirsty MacLean, she knows first-hand the benefit of the charity after having a stroke at the age of just 22 in March 2022.

Kirsty, from West Kilbride, suffered a Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) stroke after a series of painful headaches. She was treated at University Hospital Crosshouse and the neuro ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.

Now 25, Kirsty has gone from receiving support from CHSS to volunteering with the charity as a Kindness Caller and taking on this role with the charity at its newest store in Prestwick.

Kirsty, who has been left with no lower or peripheral vision, said: “I was really struggling when I got home after my stroke, and I didn’t know how live my new life. My mum called my stroke nurse, and she referred me to Joanne Carey from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. I met with Joanne once a week and it made such a difference.

“I mentioned to Joanne I wanted to volunteer to fill my time and I she recommended that I become a Kindness Caller. I was matched with someone who was looking for support and was in touch with them every week for a few months.

“I get a lot from volunteering. It gives you a lot of purpose because you have a routine and something to look forward to. 

“After I had my stroke, I wasn’t sure how I would get back to work I felt there were a lot of barriers. To have gone from receiving support from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland to working for the charity is amazing. We’re really excited to open the store and excited to see people in the community.”

The design of the new shop reflects the signature style of the CHSS stores and has a selection of high-quality women’s, men’s and childrenswear, media, and homeware items and staff and volunteers are accepting donations now.

By donating and shopping at CHSS stores, local people can help fund the vital services that people with chest, heart and stroke conditions rely on. 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is committed to reaching 150,000 people living with its conditions across Scotland by 2028 through its Community Healthcare Support Services.     

To find out more about our shops please go to www.chss.org.uk/supportus/shops.

To volunteer please follow this link: Retail Volunteer (Prestwick) | Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Volunteering.

Donations can be dropped off every day between 10am-5pm seven days a week at 92 Main Street, Prestwick, KA9 1PA. Anyone interested in volunteering can also visit the store during these times or call 01292 623033.