The Health Inequalities Cross Party Group met on the 31st January to discuss loneliness and social isolation and the impact on health inequalities. The meeting was chaired by co-convenor of the group Donald Cameron MSP. The opening presentation was from Minister for Older People and Equalities, … [Read more...] about CPG Health Inequalities: Loneliness and social isolation
Claire’s blog: the future of public health, bicycle or frog?
“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 – because it has for those already living in the … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: the future of public health, bicycle or frog?
Kiren’s Blog: Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation in Scotland
Last year I conducted social research with a group of 57 people through 5 focus groups and 6 interviews and learned about – what loneliness and social isolation is, how it affects people, what causes it and what can be done at an individual, societal and governmental level to tackle it. The focus of … [Read more...] about Kiren’s Blog: Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation in Scotland
Sarah’s briefing: Volunteering and A Connected Scotland
Sarah Van Putten, Chief Executive of Befriending Networks, prepared this useful briefing for the Cross Party Group on Volunteering''s meeting in January and has kindly permitted VHS to reproduce it. She points out it is not an attempt to summarise the whole loneliness and isolation strategy but … [Read more...] about Sarah’s briefing: Volunteering and A Connected Scotland
VHS calls on its Members to vote
VHS is seeking the approval of its Full Members, by Special Resolution, to replace the charity’s existing constitution with a new one. The new constitution is designed to serve our membership better, strengthen our governance, reflect our obligations under company and charity law, and ensure we have … [Read more...] about VHS calls on its Members to vote
Launch: A Connected Scotland
VHS welcome the newly published Scottish Government Strategy, A Connected Scotland which aims to tackle loneliness and social isolation in Scotland. This strategy will run from 2018 to 2026 and the Scottish Government will report biennially on its progress. We are heartened by the strategy’s 4 … [Read more...] about Launch: A Connected Scotland
Minister for Public Health, Sport & Wellbeing addresses the Health Inequalities CPG
Scottish Government Minister Joe Fitzpatrick MSP addressed our evening reception in the Scottish Parliament Garden Lobby on 11th December, held to celebrate the work of the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities. Mr Fitzpatrick happily agreed to VHS publishing the presentation he gave, so please … [Read more...] about Minister for Public Health, Sport & Wellbeing addresses the Health Inequalities CPG
Loneliness and social isolation: an inequalities issue
Earlier this year VHS conducted an exercise in listening. We tried to explore the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in Scotland and this exercise culminated in The Zubairi Report. The process aimed to give a voice to people who have been less visible and less heard in the debate on … [Read more...] about Loneliness and social isolation: an inequalities issue
Sir Harry Burns on The Failure of Public Policy
At our annual conference, Professor Sir Harry Burns talked to John Macgill of www.healthandcare.scot about the voluntary sector’s role in tackling despair. Here we publish the interview in full. Public policy continues to fail too many people in Scotland because it tries to do too much to too … [Read more...] about Sir Harry Burns on The Failure of Public Policy
Ian’s blog: Improving the health of Scotland’s people
The Scottish Government and COSLA’s Public Health Reform aims to create “a Scotland where everybody thrives”. As part of this reform, the Improving Health Commission is looking into prioritising health as a human right, taking a Health in All Policies approach and prioritise prevention and community … [Read more...] about Ian’s blog: Improving the health of Scotland’s people