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
Katie’s blog: Loneliness, a threat to Scotland’s health
One in five of us feel lonely often or always, according to important research from British Red Cross, which describes loneliness as “an increasing but under-recognised crisis that is shortening lives and eroding the health and wellbeing of people across the UK.” Loneliness, and its threat to … [Read more...] about Katie’s blog: Loneliness, a threat to Scotland’s health
Su’s Blog: Community Renaissance – How to unblock the straw
I’m not one for a lot of words really, but, here I go… Today I’m on one of my soap boxes, and one which I feel I can never resolve. I have a sense that there is an underground movement, swelling, slowly but surely, to create a community renaissance. It’s being drawn up to the surface, like a … [Read more...] about Su’s Blog: Community Renaissance – How to unblock the straw
Dinah’s blog: Learning difficulties and loneliness for children, young people and families
Loneliness can affect anyone, and this is also true for children and young people even when they spend much of their day in amongst their peers. The busy, noisy and lively environment of a school can be the very place where a child feels most alone. When parents and carers contact Mindroom for … [Read more...] about Dinah’s blog: Learning difficulties and loneliness for children, young people and families
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
Susan’s blog: the loneliness of terminal illness
Terminal illness can be an extremely lonely and isolating experience – it can be incredibly restrictive physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually, not just for people dying, but also their families and carers. There are a range of physical and mental health issues resulting from … [Read more...] about Susan’s blog: the loneliness of terminal illness
Hilda’s blog: building a kinder world
Loneliness and a lack of connection for people who want and need the companionship of others is one of the biggest challenges which face us today. Older adult day services closing or introducing new charges create whole new challenges for people who are growing older alone and who want more social … [Read more...] about Hilda’s blog: building a kinder world









