Freyja's Story

The 62-year-old has been a volunteer with the charity since 2022, offering one-to-one support to those with living a chest, heart or stroke condition and is also involved with an online conversation group for stroke survivors.

Freyja said: “The great thing about volunteering is that you’re not only helping someone else but you’re also helping yourself. There’s real satisfaction in knowing how much someone is looking forward to seeing you and feeling useful.

“CHSS is a great charity to volunteer with, too. The training is second to none, and everyone is so supportive and enthusiastic. I love the variety of volunteering roles, too – there really is something for everyone.”
Freyja, who lives near Dundee, retired in 2021 after a career as a solicitor. She began looking around for a volunteer role and, because of family connections to stroke, landed on CHSS.

The opportunity to work with stroke survivors on their language skills was a big draw, too, says Freyja, who’d originally planned to become a speech and language therapist.
She said: “Years ago I saw a voluntary job, which would have been ideal – working with people who’d had a stroke and helping them with their speech.

“I got a job and that chance was gone, but I always thought that kind of volunteer role would suit me. So, when I saw the opportunities with CHSS to work with stroke survivors, I knew I’d found the right place. Some of the training on aphasia awareness includes speech issues, which I have found particularly interesting.”

Freyja works with two service users on a one-to-one basis, helping one with writing and both with their mobility. Once a week, she leads an online conversation group, this one drawing in participants from Dundee and beyond.

She said: “Volunteering is a great way to give something back and to stay productive and useful. I’d tell anyone considering becoming a volunteer to do it because you get so much out of giving just a little of your time.”