Ahead of George Osborne's Autumn Statement due on 25th November 2015, VHS has joined forces with 20 other charities in Scotland to send him an open letter. The letter urges the Chancellor not to raid Lottery cash to make up for cuts in the arts and sport, a proposal apparently being actively … [Read more...] about Charities appeal to Chancellor of Exchequer to spare Big Lottery funding
Claire’s blog: how to actively suppress health inequalities
VHS Chief Officer Claire Stevens writes: “Gentlemen, we have run out of money. It's time to start thinking” nuclear physicist Ernest Rutherford famously said. Addressing health inequalities shouldn’t be Mission Impossible, but we need to be bold and act as though time itself has run out - … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: how to actively suppress health inequalities
Norman’s blog: squaring the circle for families in poverty
VHS trustee Norman Craig writes: Circle is a charity that helps young people and their families damaged by alcohol, identifying a range of support services that can help them come through crisis, including accessing financial support. Representing VHS I attended Circle’s AGM on 7th October … [Read more...] about Norman’s blog: squaring the circle for families in poverty
Lorna’s blog: reflecting on my first year as VHS Chair
I hope you will read this year’s VHS ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 and agree that it captures the commitment and energy of VHS and our members working together to make a difference. In my first 12 months as Chair of the Board it has been very evident to me that VHS has secured new levels of respect and … [Read more...] about Lorna’s blog: reflecting on my first year as VHS Chair
Discussion Note: Audit Scotland examines emerging risks in health and social care integration
Audit Scotland invited VHS to help it engage with the third sector during its current audit of health and social care integration. We organised an engagement meeting on 19th October 2015, involving Audit Scotland and members of the national third sector group on health and social care … [Read more...] about Discussion Note: Audit Scotland examines emerging risks in health and social care integration
Jo’s blog: raising awareness about learning disabilities and visual impairment
RNIB Scotland's Joanne Dick writes: Recent research demonstrates that vision awareness training provided by RNIB is effective in raising awareness amongst health and social care professionals of the vision needs of people with learning disabilities. My own role at RNIB Scotland is Community … [Read more...] about Jo’s blog: raising awareness about learning disabilities and visual impairment
Katie’s blog: what will your pledge be?
Independent journalist Katie Mackintosh writes: By the age of three a child raised in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh will have heard approximately three million words. In contrast, a child raised in a more affluent part of the city will hear an average of ten million words. Addressing VHS’s … [Read more...] about Katie’s blog: what will your pledge be?
Key Messages: Living in the Gap Glasgow Seminar
VHS's Glasgow seminar on 27th August 2015 brought together 65 people from the third sector and NHS, to introduce Living in the Gap to a wider audience and use it as a catalyst for discussion. There were formal inputs from NHS Health Scotland, North Glasgow Community Food Initiative, … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Living in the Gap Glasgow Seminar
Could you be the new VHS Policy Engagement Officer?
Could you be the new VHS Policy Engagement Officer? An exciting opportunity to join VHS's small, highly committed staff team is available. VHS is the national intermediary and network for voluntary health organisations in Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to join our small, highly … [Read more...] about Could you be the new VHS Policy Engagement Officer?
Mental health and smoking: a voluntary sector perspective
ASH Scotland, the independent Scottish charity taking action to reduce the harm caused by tobacco, worked with VHS during April-May 2015 on an area of mutual interest: mental health. VHS agreed to distribute to its membership an ASH Scotland survey which asked about organisational experiences and … [Read more...] about Mental health and smoking: a voluntary sector perspective
