At the Scottish Community Link Worker Network Annual Conference in May, we featured a panel of GPs and community link workers (CLWs) as part of the conference programme. The panel's discussion focused on experiences of embedding the community link worker service into general practice. It was … [Read more...] about Embedding Community Link Workers into General Practice – What Does Good Look Like?
VHS Annual Conference 2025: Key Messages and Presentations

Collaboration for Change VHS held our Annual Conference: Collaboration for Change on the 28th of October in Glasgow. Along with our collaboration partner, Public Health Scotland, we welcomed 180 attendees from across Scotland and Wales. We also held our first ever Health Creation Hub with 19 … [Read more...] about VHS Annual Conference 2025: Key Messages and Presentations
VHS Response: Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain

In our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain guidance, we welcome the recognition of social prescribing as an effective non-pharmacological approach for treating chronic pain. The community link worker model in particular has considerable … [Read more...] about VHS Response: Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain
VHS Strategic Plan 2025-2030 – Collaboration for Health Creation

We are delighted to share our VHS Strategic Plan 2025-2030 – Collaboration for Health Creation - which reflects the views and experiences of our members. This strategic plan was developed with considerable input from our members and will inform our work for the next five years. The aims … [Read more...] about VHS Strategic Plan 2025-2030 – Collaboration for Health Creation
VHS Manifesto for Health Creation

On 2nd October, we launched our Manifesto for Health Creation at an event held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Over 40 members and stakeholders joined us to hear more about the manifesto asks. We also heard from a VHS member - Sarah Pryde-Smith from Simba - about why they engaged in the … [Read more...] about VHS Manifesto for Health Creation
VHS Consultation Response: Scotland’s Census 2031

On 30th September we submitted our response to the National Records of Scotland consultation regarding the 2031 Census. At VHS, we regularly hear from our members that they are unable to access the data they need to support their work. Often, data is not available to reflect the health needs of … [Read more...] about VHS Consultation Response: Scotland’s Census 2031
Joint Statement on Prevention

A partnership of third and community organisations, including Voluntary Health Scotland, have come together to set out the urgent action required to achieve the prevention-centred system needed to tackle Scotland's growing health inequalities crisis. Published jointly by Edinburgh Community Health … [Read more...] about Joint Statement on Prevention
Key Messages: SCLWN and Macmillan ICJ Networking Event

Thanks to everyone who joined our event on 9 September to share learning and good practice across both the Scottish Community Link Worker and the Improving the Cancer Journey Networks. We have shared the presentations and key messages in the links below: Key Messages Scottish Government … [Read more...] about Key Messages: SCLWN and Macmillan ICJ Networking Event
Key Messages: SCLWN Knowledge Exchange September 2025

We were delighted to welcome speakers from The Baby Loss Collaborative and Versus Arthritis to our latest Knowledge Exchange where they were able to engage in some Q&A and discussions with Community Link Workers from across the Network. You can read the key messages and download the … [Read more...] about Key Messages: SCLWN Knowledge Exchange September 2025
VHS Response: Public Health Scotland Strategy

On Friday 22nd August we submitted our response to the call for views on Public Health Scotland's (PHS) Strategy from 2025-2035. The closing date for responses is Friday 29th August, and responses should be sent to phs.strategicdevelopment@phs.scot. In our response, we largely reflect on the Key … [Read more...] about VHS Response: Public Health Scotland Strategy
