VOLUNTEERS are being recruited by a health charity ahead of the rollout of a supported self-management programme across the region.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland will be introducing the scheme later this year and in preparation the charity is seeking to sign up volunteers to help with the delivery.
Supported self-management is a person-centred approach to healthcare which lets an individual take ownership over the management of their condition and how they live their life.
The new programme will run over six consecutive weeks for two-and-a-half hours each session.
It uses goal setting, effective problem solving, tips for eating well and handling difficult emotions, as well as providing advice on how to hold conversations with health care professionals ensuring every individual is in control of their own health.
It also enables individuals to build confidence to empower them to be in control of their own health.
The voluntary roles involve supporting individuals with chest, heart, and stroke conditions and long covid to develop their confidence in the self-management of their condition.
Facilitators deliver and present course content to participants in group settings, both in person and virtually.
Head of volunteering from Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Liz Wigelsworth said: "By rolling out this supported self-management programme we will be able to help people living with long term conditions in Dumfries and Galloway to manage their health and wellbeing better.
"But before the rollout we are keen to recruit volunteers in the region to help us establish ourselves in the area and prepare for the programme to start. Volunteers can make a powerful difference in helping someone live their life with one of our conditions.
"People living with chest, heart, stroke and long covid conditions can continue to live full, happy lives while managing their health knowing that they are in control of their condition and what matters to them.
"This programme is a key step for us in our ambition to deliver our Community Healthcare Support Service to 175,000 people annually by 2028 and achieve our No Life Half Lived mission."