Upcoming Events

The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care & Sport Committee is holding an inquiry into what can be done about health inequalities. The Parliament’s Community & Participation Team are hosting four informal engagement events as part of their scrutiny of the wider determinants of health inequalities.

This online engagement event will focus on social justice and social security. It will give organisations the chance to engage with parliamentarians about the wider determinants of health.

Changes in social security policies can have significant effects on health and wellbeing.

• Austerity, cuts to benefits and tax credits can have an impact on health and wellbeing, and life expectancy, this can often have the worst impact in the most deprived areas.
• Improvements in social security benefits can improve mental health outcomes and reductions can have a negative impact on mental health outcomes.
• Some groups and individuals do not have the capacity to engage appropriately or have someone that can advocate for them on the circumstances and decisions that can affect them, or to appeal decisions they feel are unfair. This can impact on health and wellbeing.

In the context of social justice and social security we would like participants to consider:

1. What do you think are the key factors which have negative impact upon people’s health?
2. What do you think are the main barriers to people improving their health?
3. What change(s) would you like to see which would help improve people’s health?

Voluntary Health Scotland is helping facilitate each of the engagement events and we are looking for expressions of interest from those wanting to take part. If you are interested in contributing to this session we would be grateful if you could contact Kimberley with your expression of interest.