Welcome to our May 2019 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.

VHS News & Events

Third sector tackling health inequalities – ESS currently seeking applications for learning set
The National Learning Collaborative for Inequalities, which VHS chairs, has asked Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) to develop a theory of change to demonstrate the third sector’s contribution to tackling health inequalities. ESS is looking for a range of representatives from different parts of the third sector.  This work will feed directly into the public health reform agenda and contribute to improving clarity around the third sector’s role in achieving a step change in public health outcomes and tackling inequality. To apply please complete the short application form.

Third sector round table on infection control
Keep the date for this collaborative round table on infection control, organised by VHS in partnership with Health Protection Scotland and Coalition of Care Providers Scotland, on 6 August (10am-1pm)  in Glasgow. Further information will be in the June ebulletin. To express an interest meantime, please contact Lauren Blair.

Valuing and Sustaining Volunteering in Health
This fully booked conference on 14 May in Glasgow will explore good practice in volunteering in health where it is delivered by NHS and the third sector working together. Please contact Lauren Blair if you have any queries or to discuss exhibition spaces.

The Scottish Government have recently launched ‘Volunteering for All’ their Volunteering Outcomes Framework, a literature review and research summary

Keeping the Conversation Going - A Collective Voice
Galvanising arts and health networks across Scotland within a national perspective. A relaxed seminar bringing professionals from Scotland's arts and health sectors together with invited speakers to hear about developments in England, Ireland and Wales, and to discuss a way forward for Scotland. Produced by Arts + Health Scotland in partnership with VHS and Art in Hospital this free event is on 12 June in Glasgow.

Joint CPG meeting Lung Health and Health Inequalities
This joint CPG meeting on 18th June at 12.30-2pm will discuss lung health and health inequalities. Donald Cameron MSP and Emma Harper MSP have agreed to co-chair the meeting.

Healthy Universities for Healthy Communities
VHS is a partner in the new Healthy Universities for Healthy Communities initiative, funded by the Scottish Universities Insight Institute and led by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Dundee. Three knowledge café events to explore actions on how we can work together to inform better health and wellbeing  will be held over the summer,  followed by a final Showcase event, to share conclusions and recommendations, in Dundee on 18 September.

To register for the Dundee event on 30 May in Roseangle Arts Cafe: email. VHS will keep you posted about registration for the other events (Edinburgh on 27 June & Glasgow on 25 July) in due course.

The Right to Health: VHS Annual Conference 
 Tuesday 17 September at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow for our Annual Conference.This year's theme is The Right to Health: taking a human rights approach to health inequalities. If you have any queries, contact Lauren Blair.

Save the dates!
5 November: VHS Parliamentary Reception and 20 November: VHS AGM & Symposium

Policy News

Chief Medical Officer publishes Annual Report for 2017/18
The Scottish Government has published the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report for 2017-18 which focuses on personalised care. The report covers several priority areas, including early years, mental wellbeing, drug usage and equalities. It calls for healthcare professionals to deliver a more personalised approach to patient care, while reducing harm and variations.

NHS Health Scotland new publication on vaccinations
The Vaccination Transformation Programme (VTP) hosted by NHS Health Scotland aims to modernise how vaccination services are delivered in Scotland. They recently commissioned research into public perceptions of vaccination service delivery and the report is now available online. If you would like more information about changes to vaccination service delivery in Scotland please contact Kiren Zubairi

New figures on Best Start Grant uptake
The Scottish Government has published statistics on the Best Start Grant until the end of February. 9,700 families have received the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby payment so far. £3.5m was paid out during the period. VHS held a briefing event alongside Nourish Scotland on Best Start Foods you can view the key messages here.

Good Food Nation Bill
VHS are currently working on a briefing paper explaining the Good Food Nation Bill and its importance for health and wellbeing. If you are interested in finding out more or would like to contribute please contact Kiren Zubairi

NHS Health Scotland publishes inequalities report
NHS Health Scotland has published a report on interventions to reduce health inequalities. It found actions that redistribute income are likely to result in the biggest improvements in population health and reductions in health inequalities.

VHS Members' News & Events

Third sector partners in force at NHS Scotland event 30-31 May 2019
Registration for this year’s NHS Scotland Event, 30-31 May, in Glasgow is now open and is free. We were delighted that VHS was invited to put forward three of our member organisations:  QNIS  British Red Cross  and  Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care, to present sessions and we encourage you to register to attend these, and indeed the whole event. The aim of the event is to shine a light on key areas where NHS Scotland and its partners are driving transformation in health and social care whilst ensuring the delivery of quality care, across boundaries and throughout the stages of people’s lives.

Self Management Fund: Working Together to Strengthen Integration
The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE)  recently announced that the Self Management Fund: Working Together to Strengthen Integration is open for applications. The Fund will distribute £1 million to third sector projects which build capacity of people with long term conditions and their unpaid carers to take the lead in their health and wellbeing. 

Stay Mobile Stay Connected - Older and Bolder
Roar – Connections for Life are campaigning to reduce loneliness and isolation among older people. As part of this campaign and the Luminate Festival, they’re launching four animated films made by older people and a workshop to learn about animation on 7 May. Booking essential: email

Living Well After Stroke: a gathering for people of working age to share challenges and solutions
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, together with Different Strokes, are planning a gathering on Saturday 11 May in Perth, for people of working age who have had a stroke and others affected by this. The format of the day will give plenty of opportunity for discussion.

'Connect Us Too' mental health resources for deaf people
deafscotland, have launched a series of related accessible video clips in British Sign Language (BSL), introducing key information from the See Me Campaign about mental health and wellbeing for Deaf and Deafblind people. The videos: Out Of My Head; The Faces of Mental Health; It’s Good To Talk and  Mental Health – Overarching  are designed to breakdown stigma and encourage Deaf people to talk to others, whether Deaf or hearing, about how they are feeling and to build resilience. 

A family of resources - it is all about prevention, education and resilience
Alcohol Focus Scotland have resources and materials that support ACEs work with children, young people and families and that can be used in a variety of settings including across education, children’s services, family support and treatment services – in both the statutory and third sectors.

New alcohol statistics
Alcohol Focus Scotland have published a briefing and summary of Minimum Unit Pricing and its impact ahead of the first anniversary of the policy.

Small Ideas, Big Impact fund
Submissions for Round 2 of the Small Ideas, Big Impact fund will open on Monday 6 May 2019 and close on Friday 2 August 2019. They want people to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas that will help support older people to eat well and combat malnutrition. 

Step Count Challenge time!
Paths for All’s workplace walking challenge, The Spring Step Count Challenge, kicked off on 29 April and runs for eight weeks. The aim is to break-up long periods of sedentary behaviour, boost staff morale and encourage more people to walk more often as part of their daily routine.

Organisations recognised at ASH Scotland Tobacco-free Generation Charter Awards
The Tobacco-free Generation Charter Awards are for Charter supporter organisations who have demonstrated significant positive change in support of the Charter principles as part of their commitment to help Scotland achieve its tobacco-free goal by 2034. Nine organisations collected awards at a ceremony in Edinburgh, last month, for their efforts in tackling the harm caused by tobacco in the communities they work .

Other News

Cyber Security
Cyber Scotland Week 2019 was held last month bringing together innovation and learning across the cyber resilience landscape. Check out resources or visit the National Cyber Security Centre website, which includes a Cyber Security: Small Charity Guide

Volunteering Matters Action Earth 2019 Grants
Volunteering Matters Action Earth have a limited number of Enhanced Health grants of up to £500 for environmental projects which demonstrate a significant health impact through working with people who have defined health and social needs. Projects should take place between April 2019 and January 2020. 

Social Care and ELC Workforce: Employer Survey
This survey is for employers working in the Social Care and Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) sectors.  This study will help to predict recruitment and retention challenges in the Social Care and ELC sectors and how to address them.  

Carers Act - Support for Third Sector
Following the introduction of the Carers ( Scotland) Act last year, the Coalition of Carers in Scotland are currently looking at how to better support third sector and voluntary/community groups with their understanding of carers' rights in Scotland. This short questionnaire is to find out about any resources / training needs  around carers rights. Survey open until 10 May.

Get Heard Scotland (GHS)
GHS will provide feedback on anti-poverty policies and plans, centred around the commitments made in the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Delivery Plan. GHS encourages discussions on issues relating to poverty and social injustice which will lead to the development of a community-led body of evidence about what works and what needs to change to solve poverty. To support discussions, the Poverty Alliance has developed a Toolkit  - contact Poverty Alliance to be involved in testing it.

Ready Steady Baby! updated
The new edition of Ready Steady Baby! has been updated in collaboration with parents and professionals across the NHS, third sector, government and academia. It features the latest information on perinatal mental health support, antenatal care and planning for the birth. Third-sector professionals can order copies of the guide at nhs.healthscotland-ReHIP@nhs.net. 

Framing toolkit: Talking about Poverty 
Joseph Roundtree Foundation want to inspire action and change to solve UK poverty. To help with this challenge, JRF are changing the story of how we talk about poverty, using framing recommendations from the FrameWorks Institute's research. The toolkit explains what framing is, why it should be used and how you can put it into action.

 Addressing older men's experience of loneliness & social isolation
This new 2 year study from Age UK and the University of Bristol  aimed to develop understanding of the ways in which older men from different social backgrounds and circumstances stay socially connected with others and combat loneliness and social isolation in later life.

Declaration Festival 2019
This is a  free event exploring the links between health, equalities and human rights. Open to everyone, Declaration is on 15 May 2019 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in central Edinburgh. Using accessible film, theatre and conversation, three different sessions will look at negative impacts on our health and human rights, and what we can do about them.

Luminate Festival
The 7th Luminate Festival is happening this May - offering a wide range of creative events and activities organised with, by and for older people across Scotland. Voluntary Arts Scotland will launch 'A Creative Century' at Dance Base, Edinburgh on Friday 10 May. An exhibition of photographs, video interviews and testimonials,it features ten Edinburgh residents from each decade of our lives who regularly take part in a creative activity. The exhibition runs until 30 June.

Stories of Imprisonment and Meaning
Join The Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research on the 10 May in Glasgow for the launch of Marguerite Schinkel and Morag Kewell's graphic novel, A Life in Pieces, which follows the story of ‘Alison’ as she experiences a number of traumatic events and is repeatedly imprisoned for drug and alcohol related offences.

The Open University in Scotland and Cyrenians: 50 Years of Opening Doors and Changing Lives
This joint 50th celebration on 22 May is an evening event marking half a century since the founding of The Open University and Cyrenians; two organisations who exist to support people to realise their full potential and to flourish.

Food For Thought - A Conversation Around Food Memories
Join Voluntary Arts Scotland on Saturday 11 May in Edinburgh for an afternoon of storytelling, nibbles, and conversation around your food memories: peoples memories of food are some of the most powerful and a gateway into a conversation and a way to connect with people.

Scottish Government news
Helping people with convictions
Volunteering for all
Best Start Grant Payment
Families & Communities 3rd Sector Fund
Personalising Realistic Medicine
Investment in social media support
Raising awareness of sepsis
Age is just a number
Insights into equality outcomes
Cancer care

Dates for your diary
13-19 May Mental Health Awareness Week: body image
14 May VHS Valuing & Sustaining Volunteering Conference
20 May Impact: the 3rd Health and Social Care Integration event
1-31 May Luminate Festival
1-7 June Volunteers' Week
3 June Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference 2019
3-9 June Dementia Awareness Week
12 June 2019 Active Travel Conference: Widening Access to Active Travel
19 June Digital Life, Legacy and Afterlife 
22-24 June CRFR Conference: Intersectionality, Families and Relationships

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.