• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About us
  • Who we are
  • Contact us

Voluntary Health Scotland

The national intermediary and network for voluntary health organisations in Scotland.

One Goal Many Voices Unlimited Potential

One Goal Many Voices Unlimited Potential

We are the national intermediary and network for voluntary health organisations in Scotland

  • Home
  • What we do
    • Clear Pathway
    • Health Policy Officers Network
    • Current work
    • Past work
  • Health Topics
    • COVID-19
    • Health Inequalities
    • Public Health
    • Mental Health
    • Health & Social Care Integration
    • Other
  • News & Blogs
  • Events
    • Messages & Learning
  • Get Involved
    • How to join
    • Our full members
    • E-mail
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
You are here: Home / Blogs / Lesley’s blog: the day the Minister visited Cope Scotland

Lesley’s blog: the day the Minister visited Cope Scotland

November 24, 2015

It was a typically dreich and misty early November morning as I arrived in Drumchapel on my way to Cope Scotland. I found myself in a car park  behind a pub and a row of shops. Finding a side entrance I rang the bell and the door was opened by a cheerful young man, Andrew – a staff member at Cope Scotland who took me up some stairs to a welcoming wonderland of warmth and welcoming colour and comfort – it certainly wasn’t dreich inside.

Cope Scotland offers people opportunities to help overcome or mange the challenges of life that can lead to mental distress and mental illness. My reason for the visit was to meet Jamie Hepburn MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health. Following the launch of  Living in the Gap in March 2015 Minister had told VHS he would welcome the opportunity to see at first hand how our member organisations tackle health inequalities, and so we worked with Cope Scotland to arrange this first visit.

It was obvious that the Minister’s interest in mental health goes beyond his formal remit, as his genuine interest and easy manner put everyone at ease. As he toured the multitude of rooms each with different activities such as mindfulness training, relaxation, self-management and much more on offer, he chatted with volunteers and talked easily with the users of Cope. Keen to try out some of the services he can be seen gamely offering up the ministerial head for an Indian head massage.

Hilda Campbell, CEO of Cope said “Jamie’s visit enlivened an already busy day and we were all struck by his willingness to listen and ask questions”.

Lesley Munro  is VHS’s Development Officer.  If you think the Minister would be interested to see how your organisation are supporting people to improve their health, Lesley would like to hear from you.

The Minister for Sport, Health Improvements and Mental Health gamely tries out an Indian head massage at Cope Scotland

The Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health gamely tries out an Indian head massage at Cope Scotland

Filed Under: Blogs, News

Search by Health Topic

Search by Health Topic

Find latest news, blogs, events, resources and useful links by health topic:

Messages and Learning

CPG Health Inequalities: Deep social exclusion: dying whilst homeless in Scotland


CPG Health Inequalities: A Human Rights Approach to Inclusion Health


VHS response to Renewing Scotland’s full potential in a digital world


Ageing Well: a series of talks with the Open University


#WeArePublicHealth: Conference Key Messages


Show All

Other news

VHS launch report ‘Vaccine Inclusion: reducing inequalities one vaccine at a time’

01/04/2021

What’s new? Read our April 2021 e-bulletin

01/04/2021

Understanding National Services Scotland and its partnership work

30/03/2021

Get Involved

Our members work with us to amplify the voice and influence of voluntary health organisations.We welcome new members from all sectors.

Tell us your news or write a blog

Subscribe to e-bulletin

Join us now

Contact Us

  • (if applicable)
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Find us

T: 0131 474 6189
E: mail@vhscotland.org.uk

Voluntary Health Scotland
18 York Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3EP

Copyright © 2021 Voluntary Health Scotland · Registered Scottish Charity SC035482 · Company Limited by Guarantee SC267315

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and conditions

Website built by graphics.coop Powered by WordPress