What we did Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) supports the newly established Scottish Community Link Worker Network for Community Link Workers in primary care settings. Feedback from Community Link Workers (CLWs) over the last few months has shown that there is an appetite for learning and sharing … [Read more...] about Nicola’s Blog: Demonstrating CLWs’ Impact on Tackling Health Inequalities
Micro-grants to communities boost Covid-19 vaccines and testing
Since April 2021 Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) has been distributing micro-grants on behalf of Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation to community organisations based across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Organisations can apply for up to £500 to carry out grassroots activities in … [Read more...] about Micro-grants to communities boost Covid-19 vaccines and testing
Scottish Government Budget 2022-23
Kimberley explores the key commitments in the Scottish Government's Budget for 2022-23 Kate Forbes set out the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2022-23 on Thursday 9 December in Parliament. This was the first budget under the SNP-Green cooperation agreement, which means there is less need for the … [Read more...] about Scottish Government Budget 2022-23
Kiren’s Blog: Loneliness & social isolation in the time of COVID-19
We invited Kiren Zubairi, former VHS Policy Engagement Officer, to write a guest blog reflecting on the three year anniversary of the Zubairi Report: the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in Scotland. Loneliness and social isolation in the time of COVID-19 – A tale of … [Read more...] about Kiren’s Blog: Loneliness & social isolation in the time of COVID-19
Health at the Heart of Communities: what’s love got to do with it?
Delegates to our Annual Conference on 6th October 2021 have given us some fantastic feedback which we’d like to share more widely. Our conference theme was Health at the Heart of Communities and of the 101 people who attended 36 filled out our feedback form. The conference overall got a resounding … [Read more...] about Health at the Heart of Communities: what’s love got to do with it?
A National Care Service for Scotland: Consultation Response
In our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on creating a National Care Service, we have urged for meaningful engagement with the third and voluntary sector in the design, delivery and governance of the proposals. Social care goes far beyond delivering medicine and care, it should … [Read more...] about A National Care Service for Scotland: Consultation Response
Celebrate the covid heroes – but what about the other volunteers?
Here we share a thoughtful and thought provoking poem written by a volunteer who reflects on their experience of being 'surplus to requirement' during the Covid-19 pandemic. We are grateful to Volunteer Edinburgh for allowing us to publish the poem, and it is accompanied by a blog by Nick Woodhead, … [Read more...] about Celebrate the covid heroes – but what about the other volunteers?
Wendy’s blog: See Us make a difference together
The last 18 months have had a huge impact on communities across Scotland. While we as a nation are only just beginning to understand the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing we can see already is that the mental health of the nation has taken a real hit. Now, more than ever, it’s … [Read more...] about Wendy’s blog: See Us make a difference together
Kimberley’s blog: Looking beyond COVID
The pandemic has shone a light on the vast health inequalities which exist in Scotland. Looking beyond COVID there are a number of policy areas, including NHS recovery, which are already taking centre stage. Although the Scottish Parliament’s committees have officially formed, they are still in the … [Read more...] about Kimberley’s blog: Looking beyond COVID
Leon’s Blog: Community-led wellbeing
Community responses to the pandemic were compassionate and inspiring – and highly practical. The Burghead community was one example - it was speedy, with local people and organisations forming a group to make sure everyone had access to food. Burghead quickly decided they wouldn’t means-test the … [Read more...] about Leon’s Blog: Community-led wellbeing
