It’s just dawned on me that I’ve only been in post as Chief Executive for Voluntary Health Scotland for 9 months. It’s been an extremely busy and fast paced year so far, very much a sprint that has endured. This role, at the intersection of leadership and advocacy, has offered me a front-row seat to Scotland’s ongoing tussle with health inequalities. The year has been filled with memorable moments and glimpses of what we can achieve alongside our members and partners, whilst we must acknowledge that the challenge remains as urgent as it is complex.
I joined Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) late in March 2024, early into the 20th Anniversary of the organisation and at a key juncture with Claire Stevens, well reputed and long serving Chief Executive stepping down after 12 years. I arrived knowing there was a lot to consider, the backdrop of increasing health inequalities was seemingly bleak. The alarming headline statistics many of you will live and breathe speak for themselves and keep emerging as fresh data is published. Here are just a few that continue to startle me as I immerse myself in the breadth of VHS’s policy landscape :
- 1 in 4 children in Scotland are living in poverty and we understand this to be one of the primary social determinants of health affecting our population
- Three charities – here to improve lives – are closing each day in a challenging economic environment, with 77% reporting financial difficulties
- More people die from substance abuse per head of population in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe with drug deaths 2.7 times higher than in England and Northern Ireland
- 700+ organisations are actively addressing food insecurity in Scotland across over 1000 venues including pantries and foodbanks
- Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than their White counterparts within the UK, Asian women are twice as likely
- 3185 deaths in Scotland (2022) could be attributed to a lack of physical activity
Reflections so far
The scale of health inequalities in Scotland can feel overwhelming and for many of our members there is a deep sense of frustration, a lack of recognition and subsequent funding support provided to sustain their vital services. Understandably, people are asking what has changed in terms of perception and why has the pendulum swung so dramatically since the third sector mobilised so selflessly during the Covid pandemic. 
I have led or worked closely alongside delivery services throughout my career and as a result, I’m driven to see real impact for our people, especially those that are struggling. I want – and need – to see tangible change and VHS is here to amplify the voice of our members to advocate for and influence that change. We know this isn’t easy, but I’m given hope by the relationships we’ve developed with Scottish Government, Ministers, MSPs, Public Health Scotland colleagues and other partners that this can continue.
I am endlessly fascinated by the opportunity we have to create health. “Health is created in the places where people live, work, and play — not in hospitals or clinics.” Lord Nigel Crisp. The proactive, collaborative and innovative ways in which charities are able to achieve this should be showcased, celebrated and invested in. Bringing people together to access social connection, physical and creative activity, peer support, individual and collective advocacy support, food and a sense of belonging are fundamental.
Through speaking to and visiting our members I’ve encountered humbling examples of how charities and community organisations are working effectively with public sector colleagues to meet the needs of their community. This is really important moving forwards and brings to life what collaboration and partnership mean to me. Utilising contrasting strengths, skills and resources to achieve the biggest impact.
Where do we go from here?
We’re embarking on a new VHS strategy 2025-2028 and I know already our ambition outweighs the resources that are likely to be available in the foreseeable future. Do we therefore focus on being realistic and prudent? That’s not really in my nature, the passion kicks in and I believe we can achieve more, our members and their communities deserve it.
I’m committed to continuing to deepen my learning of the policy challenges, of member services, of the root causes and experiences that health inequalities are causing for people. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the New Year to achieve that.
I’m proud of the work we have done this year as a team to deepen relationships with partners, to ensure we are at the table advocating for the role of third sector organisations. That said, I can see that we need to think differently and reach out to more unusual friends to build further coalitions for change.
A sincere thank you for your support and engagement this year, it’s not been easy for our sector, but the experience has acted as a catalyst for hope and my future ambitions.
Tejesh Mistry is Chief Executive of Voluntary Health Scotland.