HPON or the Health Policy Officers Network is a peer support network of Health Policy Officers in small to medium sized organisations who meet to discuss policy issues affecting the voluntary health sector in a supportive environment. VHS and and Queen's Nursing Institute Scotland jointly administer … [Read more...] about Rob’s Blog: HPON on Cross Party Groups
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
VHS Conference – Loneliness: A threat to Scotland’s Health
Third sector leaders will investigate ways to tackle loneliness and social isolation at our conference Loneliness: a threat to Scotland's Health. The one-day event, being held at Edinburgh’s Roxburghe Hotel, will bring together experts from charities, academia and the health and care sectors to … [Read more...] about VHS Conference – Loneliness: A threat to Scotland’s Health
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
Kiren’s Blog: Social Prescribing = Social Connectedness
I recently attended a talk by Dr Ian Jackson on Mobilising Healthy Communities. He described the Bromley by Bow Health Partnership and the work they are doing around social prescribing to impact on the health inequalities suffered by the local population they service. There are 3 practices based … [Read more...] about Kiren’s Blog: Social Prescribing = Social Connectedness
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
Summary Briefing of ‘Social Work in Scotland’
This briefing summarises the Social Work in Scotland audit report for a third sector audience. The report has been prepared by Audit Scotland for the Accounts Commission in September 2016. The aim of the audit was to examine how effectively councils are planning to address the financial and … [Read more...] about Summary Briefing of ‘Social Work in Scotland’
Key Messages from Audit Scotland Roundtable event
VHS has been leading a series of discussions between Audit Scotland, members of the Third Sector Health and Social Care Collaborative and the wider third sector since October 2015. On the 4th of October we held another roundtable event to explore areas of mutual interest and key questions that the … [Read more...] about Key Messages from Audit Scotland Roundtable event
Nicola’s blog: self-management messages – more of a nudge than a shove
Is there still a rebellious child lurking in all of us? Well, all I can say is that mine is alive and well. I am extremely self-motivated to do what interests me or things I know I need to do but even now – choose the wrong time or method to try to get me to do something you want me to do…and you … [Read more...] about Nicola’s blog: self-management messages – more of a nudge than a shove








