Ash's Story
Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland
Ash Kasibante is a 23-year-old Software Engineering student at Glasgow University. Not content to just focus his time on his studies, Ash is also a volunteering hero for Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland’s retail store in Partick, as well as being a member of the charity’s Health & Wellbeing Working Group.
Ash breaks into a huge smile when asked to describe what his volunteering role at CHSS’ Partick retail store entails. “Everything!” he laughs. From sorting stock to serving customers, Ash is a key member of the retail team.
He first began volunteering with CHSS in the summer of 2021. Ash, who lives in Maryhill, says; “It was during the pandemic that I first thought of volunteering. I was studying but there wasn’t much else to do and I was really bored. I started to look around online for opportunities in my area and came across CHSS.
Now Ash can regularly be found in CHSS Partick store at weekends and during the university holidays, where he has made many friends and got to know local people.
“I haven’t convinced my friends from university to join me in volunteering yet, but they have visited the shop and take an interest in what I do. I think they like to see the place where I spend so much of my spare time.
“Volunteering is really important to me and has given me a lot. I’m really committed to CHSS and hope to work with the charity for a long time to come.”
“My volunteering experience wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t realise that I would be working with so many people and become friends with people of all ages and backgrounds. There is always someone around to chat to or to hang out with after work. Working in the store has also given me an introduction to music from the sixties as it is always playing in the background. It’s really grown on me!”
“I haven’t convinced my friends from university to join me in volunteering yet, but they have visited the shop and take an interest in what I do. I think they like to see the place where I spend so much of my spare time.
“Volunteering is really important to me and has given me a lot. I’m really committed to CHSS and hope to work with the charity for a long time to come.”
