As the Project Manager for the Scottish Community Link Worker Network, I hear regularly from Community Link Workers about the need for more services to address social isolation and loneliness; this is one of the main reasons that patients are referred to them by GPs. According to the National … [Read more...] about Roisin’s Blog – Celebrating Befriending Week
Sarah’s Blog: Amplifying the voices of older people to address health inequalities
As Chief Executive of LifeCare, an Edinburgh based charity supporting older people (and trustee of VHS), it should be no surprise that my blog focuses on the impact of health equalities for this group. As Scotland’s population continues to age, the sad fact is that people are likely to spend more … [Read more...] about Sarah’s Blog: Amplifying the voices of older people to address health inequalities
Blog by Sophie at CHSS: A job half done
“Take care of this knee. When you leave the hospital after surgery, that’s only half the job done”. My mum and I took in her surgeons words attentively. With her ‘frequent flyer’ badge at her local hospital, we’re both very aware of how stretched the NHS is for both funding and resources. We … [Read more...] about Blog by Sophie at CHSS: A job half done
Partnership Approach to Mental Health Distress
Voluntary Health Scotland currently sits on a Partnership Delivery Group (PDG), alongside the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland, COSLA and other health and social care partners. The PDG was established to act on the findings of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) … [Read more...] about Partnership Approach to Mental Health Distress
Voluntary Health Scotland Responds to Disclosure Scotland Fees Consultation
Following engagement with our members at our recent Members Meet-Up on 21 May 2024, Voluntary Health Scotland has submitted a response to the Disclosure Scotland fees consultation. In our response, we have stated that we do not agree with this proposal. Currently, Disclosure Scotland waives fees … [Read more...] about Voluntary Health Scotland Responds to Disclosure Scotland Fees Consultation
Scottish Community Link Worker Network Newsletter – May edition out now!
Our May edition of the Newsletter is out now! You can read it here Happy reading! … [Read more...] about Scottish Community Link Worker Network Newsletter – May edition out now!
Alison’s blog: why singing hits all the right notes when it comes to our health
'Singing is one of the most positive forms of human activity, supporting physical, mental, emotional and social health, as well as individual development in the same areas.' (Professor Graham Welch for Sing Up). Scotland has a powerful singing tradition, with hundreds of groups across the … [Read more...] about Alison’s blog: why singing hits all the right notes when it comes to our health
Claire’s blog: falling off a cliff at 65
As I hurtle towards retirement, with only a few weeks remaining of my time with VHS, I have been encouraged (thanks, team!) to pen a valedictory blog. I suppose the customary approach to this would be to reflect (in a slightly self-congratulatory way perhaps) on the many highlights and achievements … [Read more...] about Claire’s blog: falling off a cliff at 65
Heather’s blog: Common Wheel – supporting mental health across Glasgow
Heather Brown works as Participation and Volunteering Manager at Common Wheel, a charity that supports people managing or recovering from mental illness in Glasgow. In her blog she talks about the support they provide across their 4 main projects and why Community Link Workers (CLWs) are the perfect … [Read more...] about Heather’s blog: Common Wheel – supporting mental health across Glasgow









