Since joining VHS, Claire has led a programme of change to transform the organisation into an energetic, collaborative and influential network of Scotland’s voluntary health organisations. Claire has strengthened VHS’s governance, accountability, resources and profile, refocusing VHS on its membership and creating a new corporate identity and strategy. She is proud to lead a highly committed and skilled staff team and to work with an excellent Board of Trustees.

Under Claire’s leadership, VHS’s achievements have included the Engagement Matrix (strengthening NHS and third sector engagement), Living in the Gap (shining a light on third sector approaches to health inequalities), Gold Star Exemplars (mapping third sector approaches to community link working), Clear Pathway (supporting safe, effective and person centred volunteering in health) and The Zubairi Report (reporting on and making recommendations on loneliness and social isolation).

On behalf of VHS, Claire is Secretary of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities and currently on various working groups and boards, including the Public Health Oversight Board, A Connected Scotland Implementation Group,  ScotPHN Advisory Board, the Scottish Health Literacy Implementation Group, Our Natural Health Service Programme Board, and the NHS Scotland Volunteering National Group.

She was appointed a Fellow of ACOSVO in 2019 and elected an Honorary Member of the Faculty of Public Health in 2020. She is a Member of  the Institute of Leadership and Management and Associate Member of the Royal Society for Public Health. She is a Board member of Bridgend Farmhouse, a community benefit society with charitable status in Edinburgh.

Kiren joined the VHS team in September 2016 as Policy Engagement Officer. Kiren was previously a Development Officer at the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance, prior to this she worked at Citizens Advice Scotland and SCVO in a range of roles involving policy, research and communications. She has significant experience of working in membership-focused organisations and is responsible for ensuring VHS members are engaged and their views represented in relevant policy and consultation areas. Kiren’s focus is on VHS’s key policy priorities, currently health inequalities, health and social care integration, public health and mental health.

Alison has been with VHS from the start, joining us in 2000 and fulfilling a number of roles since then. As our Membership and Administrative Officer, Alison is responsible for the administration of our finances, data and membership systems, as well as the office overall. She also produces and sends out each month’s E-bulletin and is usually the first point of contact for anyone with a membership query.

Lauren joined the VHS team in January 2015 as Programme Engagement Officer. Her role is to develop our programme of consultation events, seminars, workshops and conferences and ensure they are useful, of high quality and engage our members and other stakeholders. Lauren’s role includes establishing new event partners to enable us to extend our reach and capacity. Having previously worked in creating and managing a programme of policy conferences, seminars and award dinners across the UK, Lauren brings over a decade of event management and marketing experience to the VHS team