Welcome to our June 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

Engaging with the Scottish Parliament Post Election
Do you work with the Scottish Parliament or would you like to find out more about how best to engage?Join us on the 8 June to explore Engaging with the Scottish Parliament post election. Ewan Masson, from Community Outreach Team at the Scottish Parliament, will share what’s happening at the Parliament right now  and give an insight into its health related inquiries and calls for views. Register here

The Role of Culture in the Health & Wellbeing of Young People
Join Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland  and VHS on the 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.The mental health impact on children and young people has been huge, the full extent still unknown. What creative ways can we work together to improve health and mental wellbeing of young people in Scotland?

National Community Link Worker Scotland Network Event
VHS invites Community Link Workers (CLWs) who are embedded in primary care settings across Scotland to join one of our 3 engagement events in June. These engagement events - on the 10, 15 and 17 June - are the first step in consulting CLWs about the establishment of a national network in Scotland. Find out more here

Vaccine Inclusion: reducing inequalities one vaccine at a time
Join us on the 24 August to explore the impact of the Covid-19 vaccine programme on health inequalities. The event will look at the key messages from our briefing report ‘Vaccine Inclusion – Reducing inequalities one Vaccine at a time’ .  A key message of the  report is the importance of involving third sector and community partners in the planning, communications and delivery of public health interventions that could help prevent, mitigate and reduce health inequalities. If you are a third sector organisation working actively to support people’s health and wellbeing, you can help by attending this event to share your experience and local intelligence. We also welcome attendees working for the NHS, health and social care partnerships and other public sector services.

VHS Annual Conference 2021: Health at the Heart of Communities
A key event in the annual conference calendar, this year’s focus is on Health at the Heart of Communities, exploring themes that include:

• Engaging with people’s stories and lived experience to improve services
• Reaching and serving those who are missing, marginalised or overlooked in health
• Evidencing and understanding the third sector’s impact on health inequalities
• Reshaping primary care and our sector’s role
• Partnership working for recovery and renewal beyond the pandemic

There will be a range of opportunities to actively contribute to the event, including online exhibition opportunities. To find out how you can get involved, contact VHS.

Annual Poster Competition 2021: Reaching and serving those who are missing, marginalised or overlooked in health is this year's theme
*Have you and your organisation worked to help the health of those who most need it?
*Did you step in to help those most deeply affected by Covid-19 ?
*Can your story help others understanding of the third sector’s contribution to health?
Find out more
Selected finalists will have their poster shown online at our conference on the 6 October.

On camera: creating health through arts and culture
Creative Scotland has produced a short video to promote Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS). The video features Robbie McGhee, Chair of ACHWS and Associate Director, Art in Hospital, and Claire Stevens, Secretary of ACHWS and Chief Executive here at VHS. Watch it to find out more about the network, who it’s for, and the benefits of joining.

 VHS Policy Engagement Officer moves on
Kiren Zubairi, our Policy Engagement Officer since 2016, leaves VHS this month to take up an exciting new post in health and social care within the Scottish Government. Kiren's achievements at VHS have included The Zubairi Report, the Health Policy Officers Network and Vaccine Inclusion: Reducing Inequalities One Vaccine at a Time. She has led VHS's policy work in numerous areas including food insecurity and mental health and is currently supporting a Public Health Scotland inclusive health research project on the experience of marginalised groups during the pandemic. Kiren promises to write a farewell blog before she leaves on 11 June, and we will shortly be advertising for a new Policy Engagement Officer on Good Moves. 

COVID-19 News

Coronavirus in Scotland - For all the latest advice and guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19). As the voluntary sector starts to plan for reopening some of the face to face activity that has been virtual or completely on hold the Scottish Government website is being regularly updated, with detailed guidance for different sectors – some useful links: 

• Protections levels – what you can and cannot do
• Safer workplaces – relevant to most office settings
• HSE: What to include in your COVID-19 risk assessment
• CLD guidance – relevant to most community based activity
• Community buildings guidance – for multi-purpose spaces
• Advice Card for people using community spaces
• One to one support and support groups
• Regular rapid testing for everyone
• Checkin app

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

Regular rapid testing for everyone
Anyone in Scotland can access free rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, even if they have no symptoms. The expansion is aimed at finding cases that would otherwise go undetected, so anyone testing positive can self-isolate and avoid transmitting the virus to those around them.

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.

National Lottery Heritage Fund grants
NLHF have reopened funding programmes and are focused on supporting projects addressing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and into recovery through the positive role that heritage can provide for communities by supporting projects that provide opportunities for skills and heritage learning activities that support individual wellbeing. 

Covid-19: Following the pandemic pound: our strategy
The aim of this Audit Scotland strategy is to enable them to provide overall conclusions to the public and the Scottish Parliament on the level of Covid-related funding that has been allocated to business, communities, and public services.

Role of community organisations in supporting people’s health and wellbeing during (and beyond) Covid-19
This research report from Nesta, Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s ihub and Outside the Box explores the role of community organisations in supporting people’s health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The report emphasises the responsiveness, adaptability and levels of trust  that community organisations have had when supporting people. It also highlights that the community-led response benefited from the rapid funding response in which regulations were relaxed and community organisations trusted to ‘get on with it’, as well as stronger partnership and co-ordination between sectors.

Supporting Communities Safely resource 
Developed by Public Health Scotland and SCDC, this resource has been updated to support communities to start back safely. The resource offers practical advice on how to effectively plan and deliver the measures like physical distancing and proper ventilation, both fundamental to achieve COVID safe services.

Study to examine long-term health of people who have had COVID-19 in Scotland
The Scottish Government’s chief scientist office has funded a study examining the long-term health of people who have had COVID-19. The Covid in Scotland Study (CISS) will begin recruiting participants soon, and will be led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with Public Health Scotland and NHS Scotland.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected disabled women? Share your experiences
This Engender survey is aimed at disabled women to find out how they have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Their 2018 report, Our Bodies Our Rights, highlighted that failure to act on disabled women’s reproductive rights and health has severe consequences and now, Engender want to find out how the public health measures over the last year have affected disabled women.They’re seeking stories of how services have adapted and how that has affected access to support systems, whether friends and family, social care, parenting support and schools or health services, including but not only reproductive and sexual health. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): state of the epidemic - 21 May 2021
This report summarises the current situation on the COVID-19 epidemic in Scotland. It brings together the different sources of evidence and data about the epidemic in Scotland at this point in time, why we are at that place, and what is likely to happen next.

Initial learning from the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
This National Audit Office report provides initial thoughts on the learning government can draw from its response to COVID-19 to date.

COVID-19 related deaths in care homes 2020/21 - Care Inspectorate
The Care Inspectorate has published a statistical bulletin which includes data on deaths from COVID-19 in care services across Scotland. The Bulletin follows a review by the Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner which found that the data, gathered by the Care Inspectorate and submitted to it by care providers can lawfully be published.

Watch Berwickshire in Lockdown
This film was commissioned by BAVS (Berwickshire Association for Voluntary Service) and celebrates the community’s response to Covid-19. It highlights the efforts of community groups, charities and social enterprises to respond quickly, and often creatively, to the emerging challenges facing. Bavs set up a “microgrants” scheme, with funding from National Lottery Community Fund and the Scottish Government Supporting Communities Fund, aiming to get money to those groups working on the ground quickly and without having to cut through red tape.

Policy News

New Scottish Cabinet and Government Priorities
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the cabinet and ministers in the new administration and set out the government's priorities. The new Health Ministers:
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Humza Yousaf, Minister for Drugs Policy: Angela Constance, Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport: Maree Todd and Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care: Kevin Stewart. 

In her statement on the first 100 days the FM reiterate the government’s commitment to steer Scotland through the COVID crisis and stressed the immediate priority was the pandemic, and charting a course back to normality. Some of the key health priorities included in the FM's commitments:

• Legislation to establish a National Care Service
• Publish an NHS recovery plan 
• Open three rapid diagnostic Centres for Cancer
• Create a Women’s Health Plan
• 25% increase in investment in mental health services 
• 1,000 mental health link workers for GP practices 
• Reduce the “unacceptable toll” of drug deaths
• Develop a plan to tackle social isolation and loneliness
• Work to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

Identifying progress in the effort to reduce substance use harms in Scotland
Public Health Scotland have published the Monitoring and Evaluating Rights, Respect and Recovery (MERRR) report and interactive data portal. The report focuses on Scotland’s strategy to improve health by preventing and reducing substance use-related harms and is complimented by the portal, which displays information on related statistical indicators.

Four funds to support drug service improvements open for applications
Four separate funds to support improvements to drug services have opened for applications. These consist of the Service Improvement Fund, the Local Support Fund and the Recovery Fund, each worth £5m, in addition to the £3m Children & Families Fund. Each scheme will be available for five years, with multi-year funding available and grants awarded on a rolling basis. Guidance on the funds has also been released. 

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

Self Management for Rehabilitation Services consultation
The ALLIANCE is helping to coordinate a scoping exercise on behalf of Scottish Government and the National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation to understand the challenges faced by third sector rehabilitation services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to gather perspectives about areas for improvement and innovation. They are encouraging all third sector organisations whose services are there to enable and support people to recover or adjust, to complete the self assessment tool and contribute to this exercise. The deadline for responses is Friday 18 June.

Mental Health, Older People and Faith Communities
This series of Faith in Older People seminars has been exploring the issues encountered by faith communities in supporting people with mental health challenges, as well as the impact of Covid-19. The seminars are complementary to the work being undertaken on mental health and older people under the aegis of VHS. For the  final seminar on 22 June, FiOP will partner with Interfaith Scotland to discuss mental health challenges from the perspective of different faiths. 

CVS Inverclyde Conversations about Spirituality
In this 4 part podcast series, CVSI and the Salvation Army discuss the themes of loss, hope, kindness and belonging and  'How can spirituality build resilience and foster hope?' 

Malnutrition Advice Line
Food Train Eat Well Age Well's new Malnutrition Advice Line provides practical information to those aged 65 and over – or anyone concerned about an older person’s well-being – on how they can stay well nourished. A loss of appetite, difficulties eating and drinking and a lost motivation to cook can be among the signs of malnutrition among older people.

Mental Health, Sensory Loss and Human Rights
In this transition report The Health and Social Care Alliance, deafscotland, RNID, Sight Scotland and Deafblind Scotland call for sensory literate services and action to deal with the mental health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. The report invites consideration from government, public authorities and trade unions in delivering the pace and detail of the change required and sets out eight recommendations.

£2 million in Cycling Friendly funding
Workplaces, social housing providers, communities, universities, colleges, and secondary schools across Scotland can apply now to the £2 million grant funding allocation from Transport Scotland, which supports more people to cycle. Organisations can apply for up to £25,000 in grant funding to install or improve facilities, such as installing or upgrading facilities for bike parking or buying pool bikes and maintenance equipment.

Supporting young carers’ health & wellbeing online sessions
These ASH Scotland’s sessions (23/6, 29/9, 27/10 & 17/11) offer free virtual learning for anyone who works with young carers and their families. An e-learning module (1 hour) is followed by a live Zoom session and explores ways to help improve the health and wellbeing of young carers and feel confident in having conversations about smoking.

Other News

State of Hunger 2021 report
The Trussell Trust's latest report reveals the extreme poverty faced by people at food banks going into the pandemic, with just £248 a month on average to survive on after housing costs. This new report is part of State of Hunger, the largest ever study into hunger and food bank use in the UK. The Heriot-Watt University research is helping to understand the scale of hunger and destitution in the UK and learn how we can work together to build a hunger free future.

Supporting positive conversations with patients – “It’s OK to Ask”
This new NHS campaign aims to support patients and healthcare professionals in creating positive conversations about care and treatment. Realistic Medicine puts the person receiving health and care at the centre of decision-making and encourages a personalised approach to their care. Research shows only 1 in 3 patients prepare questions to ask at their appointment, and as a result may leave a consultation unclear on the importance and impact of taking a prescribed medication, or without a clear understanding of the options they have for shaping or managing their own healthcare.

 Nature: How connecting with nature benefits our mental health Scotland
Our relationship with nature is a critical factor in supporting good mental health and preventing distress. This Mental Health Foundation report provides evidence of how and why our relationship with nature is so important and beneficial to our mental health. It highlights the unequal access to nature and the need to shift our attention from focusing on getting people to visit natural and sometimes remote spaces, to focusing on how people can tune in and connect with ‘everyday’ nature close to home.

LSE–Lancet Commission on the future of the NHS: re-laying the foundations for an equitable and efficient health and care service after COVID-19
Over the last three years the LSE-Lancet Commission has independently evaluated the NHS and its role in the UK. The Commission highlights:
* how although the NHS is internationally held up as a leading example of universal health care, the health of the UK population lags behind that of other high-income countries,
* the comparatively low funding for the health service,
* as well as the long-standing impact of poorly resourced social care and public health programmes on the health of the nation and its role in driving inequalities.
The Commission report makes seven core recommendations, setting out a long-term vision for the NHS which re-lays the foundations for a better, fairer health and care service.

2021 Henry Duncan Grants to provide £1m to support mental health and wellbeing
The programme, run by the Corra Foundation, opened on 25 May, with three strands:

• Organisation Grants: charities with an annual income up to £500,000 and a core focus on supporting people of any age who experience mental ill health. 
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Project Grants: BAME led charities with annual income up to £500,000, delivering projects that support people of any age who experience mental ill health. 
• Micro grants: small charities and voluntary groups with an annual income up to £50,000, supporting communities experiencing disadvantage to improve mental health and wellbeing by reducing isolation and loneliness. 

Voice and Vision Festival
On 8-10 June, the Life Changes Trust will host ‘Voice and Vision: Creativity and Care Experience’ - a three-day event celebrating the impact of creative projects and inspiring young people to pursue creative opportunities. The Trust want to showcase and celebrate creative ways to elevate the voice and vision of young people with care experience. 

Tackling Scottish Diet and Negative Health Consequences
Food Standards Scotland has published its strategic ambitions, with a renewed emphasis on improving the Scottish diet and tackling associated negative health. FSS warns the pandemic has shone a light on comorbidities stemming from poor diet and notes there has been little improvement in this area over the last 20 years. 

Scottish Government news

New treatment standards for drug users
New lung cancer detection campaign
Funds open for drugs services
Priorities of Government statement – 26 May 2021
New Cabinet and Ministers appointed
Protection levels update
COVID-19 vaccination status scheme launches
Next steps out of lockdown
Protecting Scotland against COVID

Dates for your diary

1-7 June Volunteers Week
7-13 June Carers Week: Make Caring Visible and Valued
7-11 June Alliance Annual Conference: Equally Valued:  Equally Connected
8-10 June Voice & Vision: Creativity and Care Experience
8 June Engaging with the Scottish Parliament Post Election
9 June The Role of Culture in the Health & Wellbeing of Young People
10 June National Community Link Worker Scotland Network Event 
22-24 June NHS Scotland Event 2021
24 Aug Vaccine Inclusion: reducing inequalities one vaccine at a time
6 Oct VHS Annual Conference 2021: Health at the Heart of Communities
25 Nov VHS Annual General Meeting

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.