Retired Nurse Says Volunteering Made Moving to a New Place Easier 17 October 2022 Anne Davies, 65, lives in Houston, Renfrewshire. A retired nurse, Anne decided to join Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland as a retail volunteer when she moved home. She’s now taken up a role on the charity’s Health & Wellbeing working group representing volunteers. Relocating to a new place can be a challenge no matter what stage of life you’re at. For Anne Davies, the best way to get to know her new area was to become a volunteer. Even better is that by knocking on the door of the Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland store in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, was that Anne got to indulge her passion for browsing for pre-loved items! Now Anne, 65, is expanding her volunteer role by joining the charity’s Health & Wellbeing working group. A retired nurse and mum of three adult children, she lives in nearby Houston, Renfrewshire, with her husband Jonathan. Anne enjoying her time volunteering for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Anne says: “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 at Kilmacolm. It’s good to feel useful and part of the successful running of the shop. “I do a couple of shifts a week, and it’s good to focus on meeting our sales target. I also love making the shop look nice, dressing the mannequins and even arranging flowers at times. I’ve always loved clothes and browsing in second-hand shops, so I’m getting to do all of that and help people who need it, too.” The charity’s Health & Wellbeing working group aims to ensure health and wellbeing are a top priority for staff and volunteers, focusing on specific topics and issues across the year to ensure everyone involved in the organisation is supported. It’s good to feel useful and part of the successful running of the shop. Anne has joined the working group to represent the charity’s volunteers who play an essential in helping CHSS deliver vital services to those living with chest, heart and stroke conditions. She says: “My role is to ensure no one forgets the contribution that volunteers make. They give up their time and energy to volunteer and don’t gain anything financially, so it’s important to appreciate what they bring to CHSS. “Making those who volunteer feel valued will increase their wellbeing and happiness, and they are more likely to continue to contribute their time and energy if they feel valued.” If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, please visit: https://www.chss.org.uk/volunteering