Welcome to our January 2020 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.

VHS News & Events

VHS Members Round Table: Social Care in Scotland Consultation
The Health and Sport Committee has launched a consultation into the experiences of social care in Scotland. VHS are hosting this roundtable meeting for VHS members on 7 February, 10.30 -12.30pm to provide an opportunity to hear more about the Consultation from Susan Brown the Assistant Clerk to the Health and Sport Committee. It will also provide an opportunity for member organisations to share their own and their services users perspectives on how social care experiences can be improved.

VHS will be hosting 2 workshops at the Gathering 2020  in Glasgow
Shaping Primary Care for the next generation in rural Scotland, 19 Feb  @ 11:45 am - 12:45 pm
The Scottish Government’s vision for the future of primary care is for multi-disciplinary teams, made up of a variety of health professionals, working together to support people in their community and to give GPs more time to spend with patients in specific need of their expertise. But what does this mean in a rural context, and what role does the rural third and community sector have to play in helping transform primary care? Rural Scotland has a growing elderly population, increasing demand for treatment and care, a dispersed population and challenges associated with the workforce supply for health and social care – all combining to have an impact on primary care services. This workshop will be of particular interest to voluntary and community health organisations and third sector interfaces. It is a collaboration between VHS and the Scottish Rural Health Partnership.

Demonstrating Third Sector Impact on Inequalities, 20 Feb @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
This interactive workshop will present a model to measure the third sector’s contribution to addressing inequalities, in particular health inequalities. The model aims to support third sector organisations to explain, measure and prove their contribution to tackling inequalities. The longer term aim is to support local authorities, NHS boards and Public Health Scotland to have a clearer, evidence based understanding of the third sector’s contribution to tackling inequalities, through the creation and use of a meaningful measurement tool. This workshop is a collaboration between three members of the Inequalities Learning Collaborative: VHS, Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) and CHEX (Community Health Exchange), with additional support from NHS Health Scotland.

Health Inequalities Cross Party Group: Men’s Health Inequalities
The next meeting of the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities will take place at 6pm on the 21 January. Richard Lyle MSP, Co Convenor of the CPG, will chair this meeting on men's health inequalities, with speakers: Martin Tod, Chief Executive, Men’s Health Forum, Nathan Sparling, Chief Executive Officer, HIV Scotland and Craig Wilson, General Manager of Big Hearts Community Trust.

Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities: Study Visit- Art in Hospitals
Join us on the afternoon of 28 January for an opportunity for CPG members to engage with a practical approach to addressing health inequalities in a clinical setting. The charity Art in Hospital enables patients to develop their own creativity through participation in a visual arts programme in hospitals, care homes and the community. Barbara McEwan Gulliver, Artistic Director, will give a short presentation which will be followed by an opportunity to observe a workshop and meet with patients, clinicians, artists, family members and staff.

Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities: Drugs, Deprivation, Discrimination and Disease
The Health Inequalities Cross Party Group will meet on the 14 May, 1.00 -2.30 pm to discuss Drugs, Deprivation, Discrimination and Disease. This meeting will be chaired by Donald Cameron MSP, Co-Convenor of the group. More information on speakers and the agenda soon.

Policy News

New Health and Sport Committee inquiry: Call for views - Social Care
The Health and Sport Committee is undertaking an inquiry into social care and the future delivery of social care in Scotland. They are  seeking views from people with lived experience of receiving adult social care or being a carer for someone receiving care.The call will close on 20 February 2020.

Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum 
The Finance and Constitution Committee has launched a call for views on the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum. The Bill can be read on the Parliament website. The call for views closes on 30 January 2020. Read the call for views here.

Consultation on the Draft Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland
The purpose of the draft Respiratory Care Action Plan is to highlight the Scottish Government’s vision for driving improvement in the diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions in Scotland.  Closes 3 April 2020.

VHS Members' News & Events

Creating stigma free spaces for people living with HIV
Thanks to medical advances, people living with HIV are living long lives in to older age. This means that we need to talk about social care for people living with HIV, and challenge the stigma, myths and misconceptions that continue to surround HIV. This HIV Scotland session at The Gathering on 20 February, will explore the modern day realities of HIV, how to challenge systemic stigma and discrimination, and how to create stigma-free spaces for everyone to live with dignity and respect. 

Why fair dementia care
Alzheimer Scotland is campaigning for people with advanced dementia to have access to the health care they need. This session at The Gathering on 20 February will explore why this is important for all of us who support people who need health or social care, why simple questions can have complex answers, and what we can do about it.

Linda's Blog: The IMPACT of Smoking on Mental Health
Linda Bates, Development Officer at ASH Scotland encourages people to quit smoking at the start of the new decade.  

#ThereForMe
Eden Project Communities connect people and communities, encouraging everyday people to make positive change where they live - their new campaign #ThereForMe, will help shine a light on the people in neighbourhoods and communities who bring people together and give support when it is most needed by encouraging everyone to thank the neighbours and people who support them.

Are you with us?
Shelter Scotland want a Scotland where a safe home is a right not a privilege and secured over 10,000 signatures to their petition to strengthen the right to housing in Scotland. While the petition is now closed you can still fight for the right to a safe, secure, affordable home by signing up as a supporter.

Social Security Scotland consultation on Mainstreaming Equality Outcomes
Join the ALLIANCE and SIAA on 22 January in Glasgow to discuss the draft Mainstreaming Equality Outcomes being proposed by Scotland’s social security agency, Social Security Scotland. Views shared at the event will help inform responses to the consultation. 

A new future for mental health - your invitation to hear about Making Recovery Real
Join Scottish Recovery Network on 21 January to hear about the findings from the Making Recovery Real initiative in Dundee and Moray. Explore a new way of collaborative working that builds on what is already happening and the skills and experiences of those involved. This approach enabled new and innovative approaches to ensuring people get the help they need when they need it and are supported in their recovery.

Stress Control @ Stepping Stones
Are you looking for help with common problems such as anxiety, depression, panic, poor sleep and poor well-being? Stepping Stones is offering a free, 6 session evening class beginning 22 January that will take place in Clydebank Community Support Hub. Stress Control is a class not a group therapy. You do not discuss personal problems. You just sit back and learn some great ways to deal with stress. It combines cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology.  

Arts and Health Day 26 January 2020
Art in Healthcare  brings art and creativity to healthcare settings across Scotland. They invite you to their Arts and Health Day - a one-day programme of creative workshops: yoga, singing and printmaking, and a talk by artist Sally Price on her inspiration for creating art. All workshops are suitable for beginners. Please book by emailing or phone 0131 555 7638.

Sex, Drugs and Scotland's Health
On June 3-5 2020, HIV Scotland, IRESH and many other sector partners are proudly bringing Sex, Drugs and Scotland's Health to Dundee. Where do we go next for sexual health in Scotland? Organised by a cross-sector partnership, this conference will highlight new and emerging issues and research, support workforce development and connect communities and those working within the SHBBV field in Scotland, the UK and internationally. At its heart will be discussion and debate around sexual health and blood-borne viruses in Scotland. Submit abstracts and/or register your interest now.

Health in Mind’s training courses
HiM training courses taking place January - March 2020 offer nationally recognised, certificated courses which can count towards Continuing Professional Development. Courses include Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (general information about mental health difficulties), ASIST, Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid for Young People and Trauma Training. Find out more  (including costs): here  and book onto current courses on Eventbrite here. If you require more information please contact: training. 

Other News

Leonie’s Blog: Culture, Health and Social Change
Leonie Bell joined Renfrewshire Council in late 2018 in the newly-created post of Paisley Partnership, Strategic Lead for Cultural Regeneration.

Benefit take-up funds: form and guidance
Scottish Benefit Take-up Fund: this £500,000 fund will assist organisations who are preparing their services and staff to support people who will be applying for Scottish benefits. 
Scottish Income Maximisation Fund: this £100,000 fund will assist organisations who support people to increase their household incomes, with an emphasis on ensuring people are aware of the financial support available to them. 

Applications deadline for both funds is 31 January 2020. If you are a small organisation (with an annual turnover below £200,000) you qualify for free application support. This service is provided by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations on behalf of the Scottish Government.  If you wish to access this service, or if you have any questions, email SCVO. 

Removing barriers, increasing access: the Scottish benefit take-up strategy
The Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland want to make sure that people receive everything they are entitled to under the new Scottish Social Security system. Equipping organisations that provide support and advice with the information they need on Scottish benefits will be key to helping achieve this. This Social Security Scotland session at The Gathering on 20 February will seek input on the support and information organisations feel they need, and how Social Security Scotland can deliver this.

"All In For Change" launches in Scotland – a new approach to tackling homelessness
Heralding a new approach to tackling homelessness in Scotland, All In For Change is being led by Homeless Network Scotland, Cyrenians and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC), putting lived experience at the heart of system change by bringing together frontline workers and people with their own, personal experience of homelessness either currently or in the past.

Sign up to the Communities Call for Climate Action
Community organisations are being urged to sign up to the Communities Call for Climate Action. This calls for the Scottish Government to do more to tackle climate change and to recognise and support the role of community organisations in making the major changes that are necessary. The Call for Action has been written by a group of organisations working across Scotland to raise awareness and drive action towards solving the climate emergency. Individuals can sign up stating which community organisation they represent. The greater the number of sign-ups the stronger the Call for Action. 

Talking “place” – a public health conversation for everyone?
The Place Standard provides a simple framework to structure conversations about place, allowing you to think about physical elements (such as its buildings, spaces, and transport links) as well as social aspects (for example whether people feel they have a say in decision making). John Howie, Organisational Lead (Place) at NHS Health Scotland, explains the origins of the Place Standard tool, and why it is so internationally appealing.

ARC Scotland’s response to proposed Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions) (Scotland) Bill
Read ARC Scotland's response to the proposed Transitions Bill. ARC encourage people to submit responses to the Bill. The deadline for submitting responses is January 22nd 2020 - click here for more information on the proposed Bill. 

Scottish SPCA and University of Edinburgh: Workshops 2020
These reflective workshops for practitioners/policy makers are taking place in 2020 with Caar (Children, Adolescents, and Animals Research) - a specialist research group within the Centre for Applied Developmental Psychology in the School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh. The primary aim is to promote a trauma informed approach when working with children, young people and families by examining the link between animal cruelty, domestic abuse and childhood trauma.

Scottish Household Survey: Cross-Sectional Analysis 2016
Volunteer Scotland analysed the 2016 Scottish Household Survey to explore the relationship between volunteering and a range of social indicators, including Caring Responsibilities, Community Engagement and Citizenship, Culture and Health and Wellbeing.

Rethinking Remote 2020 Conference
The Scottish Rural Health Partnership will host their third Rethinking Remote conference focussing on innovative solutions in remote and rural health and wellbeing in Aviemore on 30 April & 1 May 2020. Open to all organisations or individuals interested in remote and rural health and wellbeing, the focus topics for 2020 are: Education, Technology, Clinical Care & Community Engagement.

The NHS Scotland Event 2020
Will take place on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow - Scotland’s key networking and educational event for those who work in and with NHS Scotland. In order to receive information relating to next year’s Event, as well as other events associated with NHS Scotland, you must register your interest here.

Scottish Government news
Financial redress for survivors of child abuse in care: Advance Payment Scheme form and guidance
Improving housing rights for disabled people
Health and social care: integrated workforce plan
Devolved social security benefits: stakeholder engagement toolkit
Mental Health First Aid: data protection impact assessment
Sustainable health and social care services
Gender recognition consultation opens
Neurological Care and Support in Scotland - A Framework for Action 2020-2025
A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: progress report 2019
Social Security Experience Panels: publications
Social security and employment support services in Scotland
Call for immediate engagement on drugs deaths
Ending homelessness action plan: annual report

Dates for your diary
21 Jan CPG Health Inequalities: Men’s Health
22 Jan Social Security Scotland consultation on Mainstreaming Equality Outcomes
28 Jan CPG Health Inequalities: Study Visit
7 Feb Members Round Table: Social Care in Scotland Consultation
19 & 20 Feb VHS at SCVO The Gathering
25 Feb Celebrating Community-led Health - CHEX turns 20 - follow @CHEX_Org
14 May CPG Health Inequalities: Drugs, Deprivation, Discrimination & Disease
1 April  QNIS Annual Conference Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
4 Nov VHS Annual Conference & AGM

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.

Fully Funded Training Opportunity
Healthy Working Lives are running an IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety & Health) Managing Safely course on the 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st of February 2020 and  would like to open this up to and attract colleagues from the Voluntary Sector. The course is run over four days – a Thursday and Friday on two consecutive weeks.  Participants must attend all four days to pass and gain the certificate. For more information on the course please check out the IOSH website. Potential delegates can book a place by telephoning: 0800 019 2211 or by email. 

Smoking and Mental Health: Understanding the IMPACT
Wednesday 26 February 2020 (10.00-12.00)
Free, two-hour nationally-recognised training around the links between smoking and mental health is available for third-sector organisations to help address the inequalities linked to higher smoking rates amongst people experiencing poor mental health.

The training aims to equip workers who support people with lived experience of mental health problems with the knowledge, skills and confidence to initiate a conversation on smoking, and to discuss options for supporting people who are ready to quit.  It is based on a Guidance pack, developed by ASH Scotland, which offers practical solutions to this complex issue – and includes evidence on the effect that tobacco smoke has on reducing the efficacy of many mental health medications. The training comprises a one-hour online session (to be completed in advance) and a two-hour face-to-face session delivered in central Edinburgh.​

Smoking and Mental Health: IMPACT Training for Trainers
12 February and 11 March 2020
Free, six-hour training for trainers to enable them to deliver IMPACT training on smoking and mental health is available for third-sector organisations. The IMPACT ‘Training for Trainers’ course is designed for all those who have a training remit within third-sector organisations or NHS services - the aim is to enable participants to deliver IMPACT training, complete associated administrative tasks, and to collate and report on evaluation feedback. Previous knowledge of issues relating to smoking and/or mental health is not required, but there is an expectation that participants will undertake additional self-study around both topics once they have completed this course.  Supplementary learning resources can be provided by ASH Scotland. The training comprises a one-hour online session (to be completed in advance) and a six-hour face-to-face session delivered in central Edinburgh.
For more information, please visit IMPACT or phone ASH Scotland on 0131 225 4725