Welcome to our June 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 & ACOSVO Joint Zoom Meeting: Health Leaders
Being a leader of a health charity in the current climate has never been more of a challenge. Join Animate Consulting and VHS on June 3rd for this jointly hosted, health sector specific meeting hosted by VHS and ACOSVO.

Rising Food Insecurity in times of COVID-19
Join Public Health Scotland Food Insecurity Working Group and VHS for this partnership event to discuss food insecurity: an issue for a significant proportion of Scotland’s population for many years and now COVID-19 has caused the issue to become further entrenched. 

Digitally Healthy: Health Literacy and Health Inequalities
NHS NES Digital Service (NDS) and VHS are partnering to run this joint event on 23 June exploring health inequalities in the context of the development of digital health. The event will provide the opportunity for voluntary health organisations to engage with NDS and to explore issues and approaches regarding digital health inequalities.

 Ageing Well: 2nd Virtual Talk with the Open University
Join VHS and the Open University on the 25 June for The Ageing Brain -  the second in a series of joint online events exploring ageing, health and wellbeing. The session will be led by Dr Jitka Všetečková from the Faculty of Wellbeing, researching in Public Health with special interest in Ageing, Dementia, Exercise and Mental Health.

Ageing Well virtual talks with the Open University
The first in this series of talks on 7 May was on the basic biomedical and psycho-social aspects of ageing,  age-related conditions e.g. bone health and frailty and asked what will the impact of Covid-19 be for ageing well? You can download the presentation slides: Ageing Well Talk 1

Health Inequalities Cross Party Group: discuss the impact of COVID
The Health Inequalities Cross Party Group met on Zoom on 14 May to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on health Inequalities. The meeting was chaired by Anas Sarwar MSP co-convenor of the group and Diane Stockton, Acting Director of Place and Wellbeing at Public Health Scotland gave a presentation:  Diane Stockton, Public Health Scotland Presentation

VHS, Public Health Scotland and COVID-19
VHS is now part of the Governance Group for Public Health Scotland's Social System and Recovery Programme, as well as serving on the programme's Inclusion Health and Food Insecurity subgroups.  The programme is developing a public health response to the social impact of COVID-19, with a focus on gathering intelligence and understanding what must be done to mitigate the many social consequences of the pandemic and to recover services and support for people. All this work is aligned to the six national public health priorities. VHS's role is to contribute the experience, knowledge and expertise of the voluntary health sector as part of the wider public health workforce.

VHS Annual Conference & AGM 4 November 2020
We are reviewing the nature and format of this year's annual event, as COVID-19 means that our normal face to face gathering of 150 people is unlikely to be  appropriate.  However, we expect our theme to remain highly topical, i.e. #WeArePublicHealth: Creating Health and Wellbeing for All and that our keynote speakers will be all the more compelling as a result of the pandemic: Angela Leitch,  Chief Executive, Public Health Scotland and Professor Kate Ardern, Director of Public Health, Wigan Council. We will keep you posted about our plans. 

COVID-19 News

Scottish Government route map out of the crisis
Published on 21 May, the route map explains the order in which the Scottish Government will gradually aim to change current restrictions. It provides practical examples of what people can expect to see change over time.

Test and Protect
NHS Scotland’s approach to controlling the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community will be rolled out across all health boards from Thursday, May 28.

Coronavirus Third Sector Information Hub 
This SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) Hub is updated daily with information, guidance & links to useful resources covering a variety of topics, as well as details of available funding for charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations.

New online resource to support community organisations during Covid-19
This free, online resource, developed by SCDC and Public Health Scotland, features a range of practical information and advice to reduce risks of indirect transmission of the virus on packaging or other forms of contact when supporting people in their homes.

National Wellbeing Hub: for people working in health or social care
The Hub offers self-care resources and support for health and social care staff and carers. The central theme of the Hub is You look after us so we’ll look after you and the wide-ranging content centres around both on this and on Psychological First Aid. 

Rapid Evaluation of the Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRR)
Foundation Scotland commissioned Scottish Community Development Centre to survey recipients of its Response, Recovery and Resilience Fund. The review has set out a list of recommendations for Foundation Scotland (and other funders) to consider when developing and delivering future phases of the Fund.

UNHCHR Call for Evidence on Women, Domestic Abuse and Coronavirus 
The UN Special Raporteur on Violence Against Women has launched a call for evidence to understand what effect the coronavirus outbreak has had on women experiencing domestic abuse. Deadline for responses is 30 June.

Health Behaviours During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Take part in this survey to help researchers from the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group and the Research Department of Behavioural Science and Health, understand physical activity and diet, as well as the use and changes to the use of tobacco, nicotine and alcohol consumption during the coronavirus  pandemic. 

Social Shifters
Social Shifters is producing topical resources that can help organisations remain resilient and navigate through the ongoing crisis. The website features many uniquely developed Covid-19 response strategies, checklists, and templates.  

Support for your wellbeing during the lockdown
Aberdeen University is offering a free online mindfulness course, taught by their lecturer Colette Savage, to support people to cope  with the lock down and beyond.

Charities urged to recover statutory sick pay
A new online service for small and medium sized charities and businesses to recover Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees was launched on 26 May. The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme is part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. This scheme will allow small and medium sized employers, with fewer than 250 employees, to apply to HMRC to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related SSP. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): help for people at risk who may need additional support
A Scottish Government helpline has been set up to provide essential assistance to those who don’t have a network of support, or who are at increased risk if they contract Coronavirus (COVID-19). The helpline: 08001114000 operates weekdays 9am to 5pm. 

NHS inform & COVID-19
NHS inform is currently hosting a significant amount of information on COVID-19 (the coronavirus) including a self-help guide to check your symptoms and get advice. 

Health Protection Scotland Guidance
HPS continues to update its guidance for health protection teams and healthcare practitioners as the situation evolves, as well as providing guidance for non-healthcare settings including schools, places of detention, and separate guidance for social care settings.

OSCR COVID-19 Guidance for Charities
This guidance brings together information charities need to know during COVID-19 and highlights other organisations who may be able to offer support.

Policy News

 Consultation on the Draft Respiratory Care Action Plan for Scotland
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 July 2020

Equalities and human rights survey 
The Equalities and Human Rights Committee have launched a survey to find out the impact the #COVID19 pandemic is having on equalities and human rights. Closes 1 Jan 2021.  

VHS Members' News & Events

Celebrating Scotland’s volunteers in health during #VolunteersWeekScot
Each year Volunteers Week  takes place 1 to 7 June, but this year it is a special opportunity to shine a light on the thousands of volunteers who have gone the extra mile (and beyond) during coronavirus.

Hugh’s blog: The Future of Health and Wellbeing in Scotland
Hugh McLean, Chair of Lorn and Oban Health Options -  a community health initiative which encourages people to get healthier and fitter thinks that emerging from Covid-19 gives us a once in a lifetime opportunity to grasp the nettle and make fundamental changes to put health and wellbeing to the forefront of everyone’s agenda.

Holly’s Blog – Highland Hello: making a small gesture of connection
The Highland Hello project encourages people to recognise that simple gestures can support us to feel more connected with others during the COVID19 pandemic. With a view to connecting with those who may be feeling isolated and anxious, Highland Hello is asking people to make a connection with three other people by saying Hello, by text, email, telephone or a simple smile or wave to someone across the street.

Over 100 charities write to First Minister regarding support for families with low incomes
More than 100 charities and stakeholders have signed an open letter to the First Minister calling for a direct financial boost for all families living on low incomes to support them during the coronavirus outbreak. Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance, said: “Unless we take action now, there can be no doubt we are facing a child poverty crisis. The Scottish Government needs to use every tool in its box to protect children and families by putting money in people’s pockets.”

Lives in lockdown: parents’ accounts
Parenting across Scotland are asking parents and carers to share their experiences of life in lockdown. Whatever your story, Parenting across Scotland would like to hear from you. Their aim is to use the information  to influence Scottish Government to give parents and carers the best support possible during the pandemic. 

Eden Projects: Community Action Response
The Community Action Response has been created because of the unprecedented challenge that Covid-19 presents for people in every neighbourhood in the UK.  Together, Eden Projects are calling for everyone to take steps that will help communities cope through the worst of this virus. 

RCN online course explores end of life care during COVID-19 pandemic
The course has been designed to support the delivery of dignified end of life care and help nursing, midwifery and care staff recognise the needs of people who are dying and their families.The programme is available to all nursing staff, including those who are not members of the RCN.

World No Tobacco Day falls on Sunday, 31 May
This year's theme - as set by the World Health Organization (WHO) - is protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use.  ASH Scotland, are supporting the WHO's campaign by exposing the underhanded tactics Big Tobacco uses to hook current and future generations on tobacco and nicotine products: #TobaccoExposed and #WorldNoTobaccoDay.

Scottish Government news
Coronavirus (COVID-19): staying at home and away from others (physical distancing)
COVID-19 budget revision
Framework for Decision Making - Scotland's Route Map Through and Out of the Crisis
Test and Protect
Supporting mental health and wellbeing
Covid funding plea
Summer Budget Revision 2020 to 2021

Dates for your diary
3 June Health Leaders Check-in
4 Jun Rising Food Insecurity in Times of COVID-19
23 Jun Digitally Healthy
25 Jun Ageing Well

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.