Loneliness and social isolation, funding challenges and partnership opportunities were to the fore of discussion at our workshop on mental health and social support in Helensburgh. VHS, Support in Mind Scotland and the Open University are running a collaborative programme of events on mental … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Helensburgh Mental Health and Social Support Workshop
What’s new? Read our April 2017 e-bulletin
Our latest news bulletin is packed with useful information for and about voluntary health organisations. Download it here – or why not sign up to get it direct each month? Subscribe to VHS monthly bulletin … [Read more...] about What’s new? Read our April 2017 e-bulletin
Claire’s blog: Loneliness is a hard slog so let’s tackle it together
“I am very keen to keep on prodding out to the community. We look like a secret service building or prison, but we are actually quite nice and if you would like a cup of coffee come in and see us. So we are working away at that level. It is a hard slog." So said Jim, a 75 year old gay man with … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: Loneliness is a hard slog so let’s tackle it together
Help complete picture of third sector volunteering in health
Can you spare five minutes to tell us how you involve volunteers in NHS settings in Scotland? You can help us to complete our data collection for Clear Pathway by completing our short Survey Monkey. This invitation is to any charity, voluntary or community organisation, social enterprise or housing … [Read more...] about Help complete picture of third sector volunteering in health
Gender and health inequalities
VHS recently contributed to an Engender round table exploring health inequalities as they affect women. Engender is a feminist organisation working to address women’s inequality in Scotland. They are developing a Gender Matters Roadmap to set out concrete steps for advancing women’s equality … [Read more...] about Gender and health inequalities
Going the distance for the voluntary health sector
Just published, the VHS Annual Review 2016 gives a visual snapshot of what we've been doing this year promote and support the voluntary health sector's contribution to a fairer, healthier Scotland. We hope you like it - please let us know! If you would like to read a fuller account of our work … [Read more...] about Going the distance for the voluntary health sector
Margaret’s blog: What would a good society look like?
Back on 1st September 2016 I represented VHS at a discussion organised by the Glasgow Council for Voluntary Sector on what makes for a ‘good society’. The aim being to share what is being done by different sectors in terms of poverty alleviation and inequality and to focus on what more can be done. … [Read more...] about Margaret’s blog: What would a good society look like?
Norman’s blog: keeping faith in older people with dementia
Sterling efforts are being made by Faith in Older People (FIOP) to involve churches throughout Scotland in providing help to people with dementia and those supporting them. There is still much to do but many churches are embracing the challenge and finding ways to bring comfort and meaning to those … [Read more...] about Norman’s blog: keeping faith in older people with dementia
Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities formally recognised
The Cross Party Group (CPG) on Health Inequalities was formally recognised by the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on 7th November 2016. The CPG now has its own webpage: CPG on Health Inequalities Formal registration followed the CPG's first meeting … [Read more...] about Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities formally recognised
Claire’s blog: what does Brexit mean for health?
Holyrood Magazine’s editor Mandy Rhodes hosted a fascinating panel discussion (22nd September 2016) on Brexit’s implications for health. Panel members were GCU’s Professor Alison Britton, Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar MSP, BMA’s Dr Peter Bennie and Unison’s Dave Watson. All four described … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: what does Brexit mean for health?
