The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Carnegie UK Trust discussion paper; ‘Kinder Communities: The Power of Everyday Relationships’ sets out some really interesting approaches to the way in which small acts of kindness can lay the ground work for cohesive communities and an enabling state. This … [Read more...] about Kiren’s blog: The Spirit of Kinder Communities
Gender and health inequalities
VHS recently contributed to an Engender round table exploring health inequalities as they affect women. Engender is a feminist organisation working to address women’s inequality in Scotland. They are developing a Gender Matters Roadmap to set out concrete steps for advancing women’s equality … [Read more...] about Gender and health inequalities
Rob’s Blog: HPON on Cross Party Groups
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
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
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
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
Key Messages: Dundee Mental Health and Social Support Seminar
On the 2nd November in Dundee, VHS, the Open University and Support in Mind Scotland partnered together to present the first seminar in a programme of events on mental health and social support. The Dundee seminar was attended by 40 delegates drawn from national and local third sector organisations, … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Dundee Mental Health and Social Support Seminar
