Today, something truly remarkable happened — I was honoured to be named Community Link Worker of the Year in Scotland. As I stood there, walking stick in hand, it struck me how far I’ve come. The stick is a reminder that I still live with pain, but it no longer defines me. Years ago, that pain would … [Read more...] about Dawn’s Blog: My Journey as Scotland’s Community Link Worker of the Year
Christine’s Blog: A Roar for Change-Why Scotland Must Close the Health Inequalities Gap by 2035
Scotland’s health inequalities record is, quite frankly, abysmal. We hold the regrettable title of having the worst health inequalities gap in Western and Central Europe. This isn’t just a statistic. Behind the data lie lives shortened, potential stifled, and communities left behind. At Voluntary … [Read more...] about Christine’s Blog: A Roar for Change-Why Scotland Must Close the Health Inequalities Gap by 2035
Scottish Community Link Worker Network Survey – Briefing Paper
Ahead of Health, Hope and Healing, the 2025 Scottish Community Link Worker Network Annual Conference, Voluntary Health Scotland asked Network members to complete a short survey. Community Link Workers (CLWs) were asked for: Their top three reasons for referral. And the main challenge in … [Read more...] about Scottish Community Link Worker Network Survey – Briefing Paper
Ygam Blog: Raising greater awareness around gaming and gambling harms
Ygam is an award-winning charity with a mission to prevent children and young people from experiencing gaming and gambling harms, through awareness-raising, education, and research. Since its inception in 2014, Ygam has trained over 28,000 professionals working with children and young people, … [Read more...] about Ygam Blog: Raising greater awareness around gaming and gambling harms
Rebecca’s Blog: Supporting Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Scottish Families is a national charity which supports anyone affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use in Scotland, whether they are still actively using substances, are in recovery, or you are bereaved. We give information and support family members with confidence, communication, and … [Read more...] about Rebecca’s Blog: Supporting Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs
Health Inequalities Cross Party Group: June 2025 Meeting
Join us on the 4th of June at the next meeting of the Health Inequalities Cross Party Group. This meeting will be chaired by Brian Whittle MSP, Co-convenor of the CPG. We will host the meeting in the Scottish Parliament with the option to join online. Meeting topic: Barriers to Physical Activity … [Read more...] about Health Inequalities Cross Party Group: June 2025 Meeting
Key Messages: Missingness in Healthcare
VHS hosted an engagement event on 26 March with Andrea Williamson, Professor of General Practice and Inclusion Health at the University of Glasgow. This event followed on from a presentation Andrea delivered at our 2024 Annual Conference, about her work on missingness. Her work aims to understand … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Missingness in Healthcare
Professor Andrea Williamson’s Blog: Applying a ‘Missingness Lens’ to Healthcare
What is Missingness in Healthcare? Missingness is a term that encapsulates a persistent and troubling pattern—when individuals repeatedly miss healthcare opportunities, which can lead to adverse health outcomes. It is not just about missing an appointment; it is about missing care and support, … [Read more...] about Professor Andrea Williamson’s Blog: Applying a ‘Missingness Lens’ to Healthcare
Marks’s Blog- Breaking the Cycle: A Bold Vision for Integrating Health and Social Care in Scotland
Mark McAllister is the Organisational Lead for Strategic Development at Public Health Scotland. The future of prevention lies in partnership working and that’s why I was pleased to speak to VHS members at the event on the 20th March to discuss the Population Health Framework. We all know the … [Read more...] about Marks’s Blog- Breaking the Cycle: A Bold Vision for Integrating Health and Social Care in Scotland
Key Messages: Continuing the Conversation on the Population Health Framework- March 2025
VHS hosted a meeting on the 20th of March with Public Health Scotland to discuss the next steps in the new Population Health Framework, with the aim of ensuring that VHS members understand the latest developments in the thinking around the Framework and can respond to and reflect on the vital … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Continuing the Conversation on the Population Health Framework- March 2025
