Volunteering hero Tom dedicates his time to many roles to help people live their lives to the full

Tom Mathers, 61, lives in Prestwick, Ayrshire. He has been a volunteer for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland for five years and is involved in a variety of roles.

Having suffered two serious head injuries, Tom Mathers knows how crucial it is to have support in recovery.

So, when he took early retirement from his air traffic control role, Tom, 61, knew exactly what he was going to do – become a volunteer for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Five years on, Tom now has several volunteering roles with the organisation and is thoroughly enjoying every minute.

Tom says: “For me, it’s not about what I get out of volunteering but what I can give that is important. I see the improvement in people from the first time I get to know them and can see their progress as they recover from a stroke.

“It’s so rewarding to see someone get some of their independence back, even if it’s only a little bit.

“I love the banter, too. I have a cheeky sense of humour, and once you’ve got to know someone and developed a relationship, you can do a wee bit of teasing and get a laugh. And that really helps you connect with people.”

Tom has empathy for those who are recovering from a stroke and struggling because he knows what it’s like to deal with serious illness. In 1996, he suffered a life-threatening incident and was left with serious head injuries, requiring a craniotomy. As a result of his injuries, he developed epilepsy that took him from frontline work in his career as an air traffic controller.

Then, just after retiring, he was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, a condition that can cause fainting after he collapsed in his kitchen and again suffered a second serious head injury.

He says: “It was frustrating because I took longer to recover from the second head injury as I was older. I struggled to do things I used to be able to do without thinking, so I know that sense of frustration many people with stroke feel, too.”

Tom’s volunteer roles over his five years with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland include driving service users to meetings; shopping for a woman shielding during Covid-19; helping CHSS staff on an online support group; and making Kindness Calls to vulnerable people during the worst of the pandemic.

He recalls: “On that first Christmas morning when we were in covid restrictions, I took time away from the family to make quick calls to those people I volunteer for. It was only a couple of minutes, but it was important to show them I was thinking about them.

“That’s what volunteering does. It helps you put other people first and that is so important.”

To find out more about volunteering opportunities with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, please visit: chss.org.uk/volunteering