Welcome to our May 2021 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.
If you would like to join the VHS network  - Get Involved here

VHS News & Events

VHS launch report ‘Vaccine Inclusion: reducing inequalities one vaccine at a time’
In April VHS launched our briefing report ‘Vaccine Inclusion – Reducing inequalities one Vaccine at a time’. The key findings from the report are that the health system has a human rights duty to the vulnerable groups who fall through the gaps of public service provision. Some of the key demographics highlighted within the report are at very high risk if they do contract COVID-19, such as people who are homeless, prisoners, people living in poverty, people who abuse drugs and alcohol, black and ethnic minority groups, gypsy travellers, refugees and asylum seekers. VHS warns against viewing the vaccine programme as a silo and calls for a whole-system preventative approach to addressing health inequalities.

Event: Vaccine Inclusion: reducing inequalities one vaccine at a time  Join VHS on Thursday 27 May to explore the impact of the Covid-19 vaccine programme on health inequalities. This event will present the key messages and recommendations from our report ‘Vaccine Inclusion – Reducing inequalities one Vaccine at a time’ and highlight some of the practical actions now being taken to ensure that communications and delivery of the vaccine programme are equalities aware and inclusive.

“With Age, Art & Life Become One” Creativity & the Health of Older People
This event is fully booked.

Digital Health & Care Strategy Refresh
Join us on the 26 May to engage with the proposed refresh of Scotland’s Digital and Health Care Strategy and to hear more about Scottish Government plans in relation to digital and health care.  Originally jointly published by the Scottish Government, NHS Scotland and COSLA in April 2018, the strategy is being reviewed in light of the fast-moving environment we are all now working in, which includes the impact of Covid-19.

The Role of Culture in the Health & Wellbeing of Young People
Join Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland at this event on 9 June to discuss the role of arts and culture in health and wellbeing of children and young people. Bringing together a range of arts and health practitioners, our event will discuss the impact and issues but also look forward at the role of arts in recovering and reshaping the future.

Measuring third sector impact on health inequalities
As a member of the Inequalities Learning Collaborative, VHS was delighted to co-host an event with Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS), CHEX and Public Health Scotland on 24 March, to promote the resource, “Recognising our rich tapestry: measuring the contribution of third sector organisations to tackling health inequalities”. Four case studies were show-cased at the event, demonstrating how Befrienders Skye and Lochalsh, COPE Scotland, Saheliya, and Tasting Change have each used the resource to measure their impact on health inequalities. Find out more about ESS's work on measuring work that addresses health inequalities: here.

#SocialEconomyPledge
VHS is one of 8 organisations inviting candidates in the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election to sign up to the #SocialEconomyPledge. We’re urging every political party and election candidate to pledge to champion the role of our sector in Scotland’s future. We’re an alliance of leading membership and support bodies who passionately believe in the power of third sector organisations to drive post-lockdown change. From charities to social enterprises, co-operatives, CICs, development trusts, social housing providers, and voluntary groups and more, our sector's role in building a new, inclusive economy is vital to Scotland’s recovery and success. 

Save the date- Wednesday the 6th October 2021
Our annual conference on 6 October is a key event for the sector and is attended by a wide range of delegates across a range of sectors. Hosted online via Zoom this year's focus will be on the issues impacting health and wellbeing in 2021. As always we will have a range of opportunities to be involved in the event and online exhibition opportunities. To  find out more and get involved, contact VHS.

COVID-19 News

Coronavirus in Scotland - For all the latest advice and guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Coronavirus (COVID-19): daily data for Scotland - This is updated each day to provide the latest available data on COVID-19 in Scotland.

Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub
SCVO continue to update this Hub with the latest on restrictions & guidance, including a voluntary sector vaccination update & information on funds currently available.

Social Action Inquiry
Two independent co-chairs have recently been appointed to the Social Action Inquiry which will support communities to take action together, create change and share power, while working alongside them to understand what helps and what gets in the way of progress. It’s hoped that it will help influence how Scotland rebuilds after the coronavirus pandemic.
For further information about the Social Action Inquiry please contact Corra

Adapt & Thrive Programme
The Adapt and Thrive Programme aims to support organisations across the third sector to adapt to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and build back better to thrive in the future. Scottish Government have confirmed additional investment which will allow Adapt and Thrive to continue until the end of June 2021.

Scottish Government survey: Role of Volunteering & Third Sector Response to Covid-19  
Volunteers across Scotland have played a vital role in the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The purpose of this Scottish Government survey is to understand more about the volunteer response from the perspectives of:

• Local and national organisations working directly with volunteers
• Third Sector Interfaces, Local Authorities, HSCPs and other 'infrastructure' organisations that have supported the volunteer response across an area or sector.

Health and Social Care Bonus
CCPS has advised that the Cabinet Secretary for Health has decided that the eligibility criteria for the £500 thank you bonus for health and social care workers to any staff will NOT be extended to staff working in services which are not registered with the Care Inspectorate.

Report published on social prescribing to alleviate NHS pressure after pandemic
The Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission, established by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, has published a new report suggesting social prescribing, and other non-medical approaches, could alleviate pressure on the NHS and other public services in the wake of the pandemic. The report, which was published in partnership with Support in Mind Scotland, calls for community partners to be adequately resourced to deliver tailored social prescribing support across Scotland.  The report found that between 25% and 50% of GP appointments focus on non-medical issues, such as social isolation or bereavement, while 78% of GPs reported prescribing antidepressants, despite believing that an alternative treatment with long waiting lists would have been more appropriate. Caroline Gardner, chair of the Post-Covid-Commission Inclusive Public Service Working Group, said: “Social prescribing puts people at the centre of their own care. For social prescribing to become more than the sum of its parts, it needs to be embedded systematically across the whole of Scotland, matched with real leadership and resources.”

Survey: Post-Covid how can TCV support organisations and individuals to increase their access to nature and greenspaces?
Covid has highlighted and exacerbated the inequalities and barriers faced by many living with disabilities and TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) is exploring how they can help individuals and organisations overcome these to access the many benefits that greenspaces, the outdoors and nature offers. As well as understanding the needs of people living with disabilities and the organisations that support and work with them, TCV are developing online training and resources to support partners to use the outdoors for the mental and physical health of their service users. 

Policy News

Summary of Scottish Party Manifestos 2021 Elections
This VHS briefing offers an overview of the health offers of each main party in Scotland as well as insights into other priority areas that will impact on people’s health and wellbeing.

GPC: Tell us your views on our draft equality, diversity and inclusion strategy
The General Pharmaceutical Council are consulting on their draft five-year strategy to deliver equality, improve diversity and foster inclusion. The 12-week consultation seeks views on their proposals to be more proactive and joined up in using their regulatory influence and levers to help reform the structures and practices that maintain inequality and discrimination within pharmacy and pharmacy regulation. The consultation is open until 12 July 2021 and the survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. We welcome feedback from individuals and organisations.

Health Policy Officers Network
The HPON is a peer group of health policy officers jointly administered by VHS and RNIB Scotland. The network is for small to medium sized third sector organisations and Members come together to discuss health related policy issues and consultations, to share intelligence, and build their policy skills and confidence. To join the HPON or find out about future meetings email, VHS Policy Engagement Officer. 

VHS Members' News & Events

Support in Mind highlights importance of early intervention for people with psychosis
Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) is highlighted as a priority in the Mental Health Strategy (2017-2027) and Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan (2020). In recognition that this is a significant issue, the Scottish Government commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Improvement Hub to undertake a detailed exploration of current EIP services. Work commenced in 2019 and is summarised in a new report . The i-Hub also published the first hand experiences of people with lived experience of psychosis and staff working in mental health in an accompanying report commissioned from Support in Mind Scotland. Over 130 individuals share what a good early intervention for psychosis would look and feel like for them.

Health Walks in a time of Covid
Paths for All asked four Walking for Health projects to share their experience of the past year of lockdown, detailing how their project has adapted, faced up to new challenges and strived to keep going through the pandemic, including how they have supported people with dementia.

Mental Health, Sensory Loss and Human Rights
deafscotland, Deafblind Scotland, Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), Sight Scotland and the ALLIANCE have coproduced a transition report calling for sensory literate services to inform and change decision making. Scotland needs universal, sensory literate services to prevent and address the high prevalence of poor mental health in people with sensory loss.

The Big Lunch - online, on your doorstep, over the fence
Eden Communities Project, the Big Lunch is your chance to celebrate community connections and get to know one another a little better.  Join in on 5 June -  this year there are more reasons than ever to get together for community, friendship and fun.  Sign up for your free Big Lunch pack full of tips and ideas on hosting your own event (in whatever way you want to do it) and have something to look forward to!

Everyone Aboard: A campaign to extend free bus travel
VHS have joined over 100 organisations from across Scotland urging  Scotland’s political parties, to commit to a radical extension of free bus travel, in a move that they say would have a transformative impact on the lives of people across Scotland’s communities. The call has been made as part of the Poverty Alliance’s Everyone Aboard campaign, which asks for their support in extending free bus travel to under 25s and people on Universal Credit and other low-income benefits. 

Empowering connections
Scottish Recovery Network have launched a free guide providing tips for running peer support groups online. It is the result of a wealth of shared learning and experiences from over 400 people who either deliver or participate in peer support in Scotland.

​CVS Falkirk Volunteers’ Week 2021
CVS Falkirk will celebrate the wonderful volunteers and community members, who do so much for Falkirk, with a digital Volunteer Awards Ceremony for 2021, during Volunteers’ Week (Tuesday 1st June – Monday 7th June). Volunteers’ Week highlights the variety of volunteering throughout Scotland, celebrating the time and effort given by the unsung heroes who give back to their communities – not for their own benefit, but for other people, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The deadline for nominations to the awards is 11:59pm on Sunday 9th May.

Other News

Creative Breaks Funding Open for Applications
The Creative Breaks programme provides 12 month grants to third sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks projects and services for carers of adults (aged 21 years and over), and young carers (caring for children or adults), and the people that they care for. The maximum grant award is £35,000, and for unincorporated organisations the maximum grant award is £5,000. The average grant award in previous years has been around £13,000. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 20 May 2021.

Call for free gym memberships for young people in deprived areas
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh has called in its manifesto for the introduction of free gym memberships for 16-24 year olds in the most deprived parts of Scotland. It proposes a trial in decile 1 areas, with a view to expanding the policy if successful. The college argues it would help maintain and improve physical exercise among school leavers.

Tesco Community Grants open now for applications
Get your application in now! Tesco Community Grants will award funding to charities and community organisations for local projects that focus on supporting children and families. Projects that tackle food poverty are also invited to apply. Funding pots of £500, up to £1000 and up to £1500 will be available for projects and Tesco customers will be able to choose which project receives the most funding by voting in store every time they shop. The scheme is open to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, via an on-line application form.

Challenges and Changes due to Covid-19: Useful questions for analysis and reporting
Produced by Evaluation Support Scotland this is a list of key questions you can ask as you analyse your evaluation data and get ready to report on challenges and changes.

Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services
This report was published in February and sets out the Review's recommendations for change. 

Understanding Social Care Support needs in Scottish prisons
In January, the Scottish Government published research into understanding the social care support needs of Scotland's prison population.  This study used statistical modelling to generate a range of estimates for the percentage of the prison population with social and personal care needs, using combinations of existing social care, health, demographic and prisons data. 

Digitally Kind a new report from the Carnegie UK Trust
Digitally Kind is a new resource from the Carnegie UK Trust, devised to help bridge the gaps between digital policy, process and practice to improve outcomes, and introducing kindness as a value to underpin an organisational approach. Based on workshops with practitioners and frontline staff, the report has been designed as a starting point to support organisations open up conversations around their use of digital in delivering services.

Arts 4 Dementia Best Practice Conference 2021
The aim of the Arts 4 Dementia Best Practice Conference 2021 is for referral to social prescribing to re-energising arts and wellbeing activities to become natural diagnostic practice at the onset of dementia symptoms.

NHS Greenspace Webinar: Good Design for the Outdoor Estate 
The webinar on 12 May,  2 - 4.30pm will explore good landscape design principles and practice and consider issues around site planning and processes. The aim of this event is to increase attendees’ understanding of how well-designed and managed NHS outdoor resources can contribute to corporate objectives around climate change, biodiversity and the health & wellbeing of staff, patients and community. Access the event by clicking on  Webinar delegate link

Nursing and Midwifery Council - tell us your views on the education of nurses and midwives
The NMC are carrying out research to consider whether they should change now the UK has left the EU – and as part of that research, the independent research agency Traverse want to hear from you. Share your views: complete the survey available here. It should only take around 20 minutes and is open until 11 May.

Scottish Charity Awards
Applications are now open for the 15th Scottish Charity Awards, which highlight the best, most innovative and effective charity organisations and individuals from the past year, and celebrate those who make a difference in our communities.

Scottish Government news

Check In Scotland launches
Regular rapid testing for everyone
Latest Scottish Welfare Statistics published
Moving to Level 3
Child poverty gradually rising
Support for people with neurological conditions
Steps to increase organ transplants
Helping communities recover from the pandemic

Dates for your diary

10-16 May: Mental Health Awareness Week - the theme is 'Nature'
17 & 18 May Understanding the impact of relational & developmental trauma and disrupted attachment on children's brains, bodies, emotions, relationships & behaviours.
26 May Digital Health & Care Strategy Refresh
May  The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) 2021: This arts festival will explore the theme of ‘Normality?'
1-7 June Volunteers Week 

Other opportunities for VHS Members

Newsdirect - Political Intelligence
Looking to promote your issues in the Scottish Parliament? Newsdirect is offering VHS members a discount on subscriptions on their daily parliamentary and political briefing, 'Health Today'.
Contact Newsdirect if you're interested in subscribing.