Voluntary Health Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on a health and social care strategy for older people. There is still time to respond to the consultation which closes on Monday 27th June. In our response we focus strongly on older people’s mental health, as an area … [Read more...] about Consultation Response: Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People
Fiona’s Blog: the benefits of therapeutic gardening to people’s wellbeing
Trellis which is Scotland's network for therapeutic gardening, supports over 500 groups across the country who use therapeutic gardening (also known as 'Social and Therapeutic Gardening') to help people enhance their health and wellbeing. We help projects to get started, or at any point in their … [Read more...] about Fiona’s Blog: the benefits of therapeutic gardening to people’s wellbeing
VHS launches survey on the COVID-19 vaccine programme
Vaccine Inequalities: Reflecting on the inclusivity of the COVID-19 vaccine programme and collaboration with the third sector. Deadline Extended: Friday 17th June Voluntary Health Scotland is conducting research to assess the extent to which the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Scotland sought to reduce … [Read more...] about VHS launches survey on the COVID-19 vaccine programme
Update on the COVID-19 Highest Risk List
Update on the Highest Risk List in Scotland from the Scottish Government The Highest Risk List (HRL) will end on 31 May. The Scottish Government has highlighted this is a positive step as there is no longer a need for the vast majority of people who have been on the Highest Risk List to consider … [Read more...] about Update on the COVID-19 Highest Risk List
Jim’s Blog – Smoking and Mental Health: A Forgotten Epidemic
Introduction ASH Scotland - Action on Smoking and Health (Scotland) - is the independent Scottish charity taking action to reduce the harm caused by tobacco. The IMPACT Project is part of our work to support the Scottish Government’s target of achieving a national smoking prevalence rate of 5% or … [Read more...] about Jim’s Blog – Smoking and Mental Health: A Forgotten Epidemic
Scottish Government Budget 2022-23
Kimberley explores the key commitments in the Scottish Government's Budget for 2022-23 Kate Forbes set out the Scottish Government’s Budget for 2022-23 on Thursday 9 December in Parliament. This was the first budget under the SNP-Green cooperation agreement, which means there is less need for the … [Read more...] about Scottish Government Budget 2022-23
Cross Party Group Joint Meeting: Mental Health and Health Inequalities
The Cross Party Group on Mental Health and the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities will be hosting a joint meeting on the 3rd May chaired by Co-convenor of both groups, Emma Harper MSP. During the meeting, attendees will hear more about health inequalities in relation to mental health in … [Read more...] about Cross Party Group Joint Meeting: Mental Health and Health Inequalities
Kiren’s Blog: Loneliness & social isolation in the time of COVID-19
We invited Kiren Zubairi, former VHS Policy Engagement Officer, to write a guest blog reflecting on the three year anniversary of the Zubairi Report: the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in Scotland. Loneliness and social isolation in the time of COVID-19 – A tale of … [Read more...] about Kiren’s Blog: Loneliness & social isolation in the time of COVID-19
Wendy’s blog: See Us make a difference together
The last 18 months have had a huge impact on communities across Scotland. While we as a nation are only just beginning to understand the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing we can see already is that the mental health of the nation has taken a real hit. Now, more than ever, it’s … [Read more...] about Wendy’s blog: See Us make a difference together