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History of the charity
CHSS has a long and distinguished history in Scottish health improvement, beginning in 1899 when the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (NAPT) was formed to combat tuberculosis (TB), commonly known as consumption. TB was one of Scotland’s main killers at that time, with many thousands of people dying annually of the disease and many more were left debilitated, destitute and orphaned as a result.

Under its first patron, The Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), the NAPT brought together the most distinguished doctors of the day to work for the eradication of the disease, primarily through public health education, and to relieve the suffering of those affected.

For 50 years the charity raised public health campaigns, developed sanatoria and clinics and supported individual patients and their families.

By 1948 the death rate from ‘the white plague’ had been reduced by nearly two-thirds. Over the next decade, the introduction of new drugs (Streptomycin, PAS, and Isoniazid) finally dominated this disease, which has affected humanity for roughly 9,000 years.

Again this pioneering work was carried out in Edinburgh, Scotland, by a team under Dr. (later Sir) John Crofton, who served for many years as a member of the charities’ Council. The NAPT broadened its scope, incorporating other chronic chest diseases such as bronchitis, and addressing the rising concern over the impact of heart disease.

In recognition of these developments, the charity changed its name, becoming the Chest and Heart Association in 1959, and taking on stroke in 1976.

In 1991 it became known as Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS). This progression reflects the charities response to the major changes in Scotland’s health problems over the past century.

Mission and objectives
The charities mission statement is 'Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland improves the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, influencing public policy, advice and information, and support in the community.'

Their objectives are: stroke illness encourage innovative service developments agencies
 * to fund high-quality research into the prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social impact of chest, heart and
 * to provide the highest professional standards of independent, confidential advice and support in the community
 * to provide directly, and support others to provide, locally-accessible community services throughout Scotland
 * to work in partnership with the NHS to promote evidence-based, patient-centred care and support, and to
 * to involve patients and carers in the charity’s activities, and represent their interests to Government and other

Straplines
The charity uses the tagline ’We are Scotland's health charity’ to describe their work and 'What's raised in Scotland stays in Scotland' for their Fundraising activities.

Impact
During 2012-2013 CHSS supported more than 17,000 people across Scotland, making a real difference to those affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions and their families.


 * Their Advice Line Nurses responded to calls from nearly 2,800 people
 * They funded more than £850,000 of new medical research in Scotland
 * Over 1,300 volunteers gave 143,000 hours. This is the equivalent of 90 extra staff which is worth more than £1.3 million to the charity.
 * They distributed more than 200,000 information leaflets, plus more than 4,000 information materials downloaded from their website.
 * Their Community Stroke Services supported more than 1,100 people who have had a stroke and their families
 * Their Stroke Nurses and Therapists supported nearly 2,800 people when they moved home from hospital after suffering a stroke.
 * Nearly 500 people have participated in their Voices Scotland and Self Management training, enabling them to influence local NHS services.
 * Their specialist Benefits Advisors supported more than 1,700 clients and generated almost £2,200,000 in additional statutory benefit income to which clients were entitled.

Source: CHSS Annual Report 2013 (PDF)

Medical research
CHSS funds life-changing medical research into chest, heart and stroke illness at all of Scotland's university medical schools, with more than £1,000,000 invested at any one time.

Animal research
CHSS does not fund research which uses animals.

Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)
CHSS are fully accredited by the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). They have been recognised by the AMRC for adhering to best practice guidelines for peer review in research. Source: AMRC Member profile

Influencing policy
They campaign on a range of issues often in partnership with other charities. Their campaigns raise awareness of the risk factors for chest, heart and stroke illness, and contribute to the falling rates of coronary heart disease and stroke and have achieved an improvement in rapid access to stroke care and have secured additional investment in specialist heart posts.

FAST
CHSS works in partnership with all Scottish local NHS boards and community pharmacies to deliver and support the FAST campaign.

The campaign highlights the key symptoms to watch out for and the need for urgency in dealing with stroke.

Scottish Parliament's Cross Party Group for Heart Disease and Stroke
CHSS are members of the Cross Party Group for Heart Disease and Stroke which works on prevention, care and treatment of heart disease and stroke between Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and people living with these conditions, carers charities working in the field and health professionals.

Advice Line Nurses
The Advice Line Nurses provide confidential, independent advice on all aspects of chest, heart and stroke illness to people affected, their carers and health professionals. The Advice Line was the first in the UK to be accredited for a fifth time by the Helplines Partnership.

Publications
CHSS publications include an extensive range of booklets, factsheets and DVDs which help, advise and inform on all aspects of chest, heart and stroke illness.

Personal Support Grants & Welfare Benefits Advisors
Personal support Grants and Welfare Benefits Advice are available for those in financial difficulties because of the effects of chest, heart or stroke illness.

Community support
CHSS help re-establish connections with friends, family and the wider community so people can combat the sense of isolation that often comes with serious illness.

Through a strong combination of initiatives and services, CHSS provide the resources for people to reconnect and improve the quality of their lives.

Chest services
CHSS affiliated chest groups & clubs offer ongoing support for those living with chest conditions, their family and friends in local communities. They are independently run and provide a source of supported exercise, information, signposting, confidence and reassurance and are an invaluable part of learning to live with a chest condition.

Affiliated Heart Groups
CHSS Affiliated Heart Groups & Clubs offer ongoing support for those living with heart conditions, their family and friends in local communities. They are independently run and provide a source of supported exercise, information, signposting, confidence and reassurance and are an invaluable part of learning to live with a heart condition.

Heart Failure Support Service (HFSS)
Heart Failure Support Service (HFSS) is provided for people who have been diagnosed with heart failure; offering a package of support.

The service provides companionship and peer support to reduce social isolation, support to access services in the community and encouragement to improve quality of life by making healthy lifestyle choices.

One to One Communication Support Services
These services are provided in partnership with the NHS in response to individual need. The aim is to provide a bridge for service users between speech and language therapy and independent activities in the community.

Communication Support Groups Services
Communication Support Group Services can take the form of a smaller short-term core group service focussing on personal communication, or a larger group setting with the aim of gaining confidence in social communication.

Community Stroke Groups
The Community Stroke Groups are affiliated to Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and not provided directly by the charity.

They are individually run and reflect local interests and diversity. The principal of these groups is to support their members to participate in and enjoy their local community. CHSS provide dedicated support to the community stroke groups, offering advice and guidance.

Stroke Nurses
Stroke Nurses support stroke patients to ensure a smooth transition from hospital back into the community and help foster independence on the part of patients and their carers.

Education and Training
CHSS Education and training play an important role for the charity, not only in activities geared towards prevention but also in the improvement of health and social care and the development of new care initiatives.

CHSS have worked with the Scottish Government and professionals from clinical practice and academia, to develop and facilitate national training initiatives, both in face to face format and as electronic learning resources. CHSS are also involved in the design, development and dissemination of tools that allow learners to evidence the application of new knowledge and skills to their practice.

Stroke Training and Awareness Resources (STARs)
STARs is a website for unpaid stroke carers, family and friends of anyone affected by stroke. It features interactive content and practical advice for users to try at home.

HEARTe
The HEARTe website has modules on healthy heart and investigations, and a variety of heart conditions. It is aimed at nurses who do not have specialist cardiac roles but are caring for patients with heart disease. This work is funded through the National Advisory Committee on Heart Disease.

VOICES Scotland
The Voices Scotland programme, delivered by CHSS, has built a national network of people affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions to help them have their say and influence local NHS services.

Through free workshops and ongoing support service users are provided with the knowledge, skills and confidence to work with the health and social care services to help plan new and better services.


 * Chest Voices: free training and support for respiratory patients available across Scotland.
 * Hearty Voices Scotland: free training and support for heart patients available across Scotland.
 * Stroke Voices: free accessible training and support for stroke patients available across Scotland.

Champions of Self Management in Care (COSMIC) Workshop
The COSMIC workshop is aimed at those living with the effects of long term conditions.

The workshop enables and trains participants to:
 * Influence on self management services
 * Explore self management principles
 * Have your say on health and social care policy

Fundraising
To maintain and expand the vital work in research and community services, CHSS relies almost entirely on the continuing generosity of the Scottish public, business and community organisations.

Every pound raised in Scotland is spent on research and services in Scotland. The charity needs £7 million per year to provide the services.

CHSS Fundraising activities range from events such as bike rides, abseils and driving challenges to marathons and walks, whilst the schools fundraising programme encourages exercise and healthy eating.

Charity shops
CHSS has 30 charity shops across Scotland selling a range of donated goods, including clothing and accessories, bric-a-brac and books. The only new goods sold are CHSS Christmas cards.

Giving, In Memory Giving and legacies
The public also give generously through general and In Memory donations and many leave a gift to support the work of the charity in a will.

Volunteering
CHSS volunteers are a vital part of the charity and without their support a lot of the work would not be possible. Volunteers help in many roles by being a service supporter, home visitor, driver, charity shop worker, fundraiser, office or event assistant.

Investing In Volunteers (IiV)
CHSS hold accreditation with Investing In Volunteers (IiV). This is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. CHSS has been re-accredited twice.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012
Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012 was awarded to CHSS. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

Office of the Scottish Charity Register (OSCR)
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland is registered with the OSCR charity number SC018761. Source: CHSS OSCR profile

CHSS Head Office
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Head Office Third Floor Rosebery House 9 Haymarket Terrace Edinburgh EH12 5EZ Telephone 0131 225 6963 Fax 0131 220 6313 Email [mailto:admin@chss.org.uk admin@chss.org.uk]

Glasgow Regional Office
103 Clarkston Road Glasgow G44 3BL Telephone 0141 633 1666 Fax 0141 366 5113

Inverness Regional Office
5 Mealmarket Close Inverness IV1 1HT Telephone 01463 713 433 Fax 01463 713 699 Email: [mailto:inverness@chss.org.uk inverness@chss.org.uk]