January is always a time for reflection, and as it’s my birthday month, I naturally find myself taking a pause and then looking ahead—hopefully a little wiser with each passing year. But this January also marks a major milestone for me: 10 years with Voluntary Health Scotland.
Over the past ten years, one comment I have heard more than any other about VHS is, “I can’t believe how much you achieve with such a small team!” And it’s true. With just four of us currently, we’ve achieved a great deal and supported a growing membership of charities across Scotland, all committed to tackling health inequalities. Our diverse membership—big or small, rural or urban, focused on specific health issues or broader challenges— as different as they all are, they share one goal: creating equity in health for Scotland’s communities and they never fail to amaze and impress me.
Last year, VHS celebrated its 20th anniversary, and I’m really proud to have been here for half of that journey. Reflecting on my 10 years, I’ve put down my thoughts into 10 key points:
- Power Imbalances Need Redressing: To tackle health inequities, we must shift power to those most underrepresented.
- Fair Funding is needed now: Without equitable and sustainable funding, progress will be at best difficult and worst, impossible.
- The Third Sector Is Vital: It’s time to stop viewing third sector organisations as “nice to have” and recognise their indispensable role.
- We Are the Experts: With community expertise, lived experience and specialist knowledge, the third sector leads where others can’t.
- An Incredible Workforce: The people in this sector are some of the most skilled, passionate, and resourceful individuals I’ve ever met.
- Lessons From the Pandemic Are Being Missed: We saw innovation and adaptability during COVID-19, yet much of that learning hasn’t been applied.
- Trusted partner: We are trusted and established in many communities. To truly collaborate, trust must be put in the sector to get on with what they do best.
- Partnerships Are Powerful: VHS excels at connecting people and fostering collaboration. The third sector are experts in working collaboratively.
- Agility Is Our Strength: Being able to adapt and innovate is where the third sector shines.
- People Are the Heart of It All: At its core, everything we do starts with putting people first.
Challenges Ahead
Right now, the third sector needs support and recognition more than ever to ensure working with those who need it most is continued. The reality is that the solutions to health inequities are often simple, low-cost, and quick to implement—when we listen to people and tailor support to their needs.
An amazing example of this in action is seen in the Community Link Workers. VHS has been hosting the Scottish Community Link Worker Network from inception, and this work has been one of the many highlights of my time at VHS. The role of Community Link Workers is a really powerful one in tackling health inequalities. They ask the crucial question: “What matters to you?” rather than “What’s the matter with you?” It’s a simple, person-centred approach to the really complex reasons for health inequalities, that creates real impact.
Sparks of Hope
Recent conversations with Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland around the new Population Health Framework, were a reminder that collaboration is not only possible—it’s essential. There’s a shared desire across sectors to make Scotland a healthier, fairer place; we just need to figure out the how. That’s where VHS comes in. We are the conduit, the mobilisers, the experts in bringing voices together and amplifying them.
We want the Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland and other partners to team up with us- learn from us and our members. We know what works. Prevention is cost-effective, impactful, and urgent.
Looking Forward
I love the quote:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
VHS has assembled that group. We are here now and together; we have the power to make Scotland a leader in health equity. Let’s work together to turn the sparks of hope into lasting change.
Here’s to the next decade of progress. Let’s make it count.
Lauren Blair is the Events and Engagement Lead at Voluntary Health Scotland
