1 Broomhouse Market

Edinburgh  EH11 3UU

TEL:  0131 467 7678

VOLUNTEERING

The Health Strategy Group is a registered Scottish Charity No: SC 023736

Our volunteers have been involved in local politics and nationwide initiatives. These include: Pathfinder; Social Inclusion Partnerships, School Meals Campaign, and many conferences and training courses.

In 1999  We were awarded mainstream funding from Lothian Health Board Health Promotion Department. Several of our volunteers studied Health Issues in the Community and others took part in a Parentlink course. Both courses awarded participants certificates of achievement. 

The Health Strategy Group is still run by volunteers with the assistance of one part time worker. New volunteers are are always welcome.

A Volunteer's View

When my youngest son went to school (in 1992) I was attending a women’s health group once a week. We all felt we wanted more than just a weekly massage or relaxation session so we decided to run a community health day.

We joined up with 2 other women’s groups to run the event and it went so well we invented the Health Strategy Group. I have been involved with the group since 1993 and I am both a volunteer and the treasurer of the committee.

Why do I do it?           Simple!           Because I enjoy it!

I get lots of self satisfaction from helping my community access health activities they may not have tried if we were not here. I have also learned about diet, nutrition, cooking, retail, local politics to name a few.

Met lots of people including MPs, MSPs, influential people from all kinds of organisations; and the most influential people of all – people from communities throughout Edinburgh, Scotland and further afield.

Linda Newlands 

I have been working as a volunteer for the food co-op for the past 23 months, and found the experience enjoyable. It is nice to know that the community and people in the surrounding area appreciate our service.

I also feel that being a small shop we are in the position of giving our customers a one to one service. I look forward to our many customers coming in on regular basis and having a good blether. I like to think that we give our clients a personalised service.

Linda Kay 

I have been Volunteering for 2 years now. I enjoy the interaction with members of the community. Volunteering with the Health Strategy Group has allowed me to find new friends and acquaintances. I would not have done so, despite living in the area for over 20 years.

The Co-Op gives local people access to reasonable priced fruit and veg' and I enjoy discussing the different meals etc which people have made with the produce and passing on some of my ideas too.

Helena

I have been a volunteer for 4 months now and although you don’t get paid I find it rewarding in other ways. For example serving customers in a friendly and easy going environment is a reward in itself because not only do you brighten up the customers’ day with a laugh and a joke you also build up a rapport with your regulars.

There is more to volunteering than you may think. Especially as a single parent this has been the first stepping stone back into work for me.

Sarah D