VHS August 2021 e-bulletin

Welcome to our August 2021 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.
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VHS News & Events

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.

VHS Annual General Meeting 25 November 2021
Save the date and join us for our AGM: further details to follow.

Scoping a National Network for Community Link Workers
Community Link Workers working within primary care have told the Scottish Government that the lack of an appropriate national platform, network or community of practice in Scotland means that opportunities for shared learning, continuous professional development and peer support across Scotland are being missed. For this reason the Scottish Government is funding VHS to undertake a short-life project to scope and establish a national network and community of practice for Community Link Workers in primary care practices across Scotland. As part of our scoping, VHS ran three engagement events in June for Community Link Workers and their managers to find out what their priorities would be for the future and how a network could build a community of practice could support them with their priorities. Read the: Key Messages

VHS Events: read more

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:

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.

Enabling Neighbourhoods and Communities Fund Reopens
The Enabling Neighbourhoods and Communities Fund is a £1 million Scottish Government fund administered by Corra Foundation. Over £600,000 has been distributed in phase one (February – May 2021). The next phase, which opened on 1 July, will support groups to access the remaining funds to community and voluntary groups who are delivering activities that connect and support people within their local community. Groups currently in receipt of Scottish Government funding eg. Community Recovery Fund or Adapt and Thrive are not eligible to apply.

Self Registration Portal
The Scottish Government remains fully committed to ensuring that everyone has access to a COVID-19 vaccine. In order to ensure as many people are vaccinated as quickly as possible everyone over the age of 18 and who have not already received the first coronavirus vaccination now has the option of self-registration.

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.

COVID-19 Vaccine Explainer Videos
These Vaccine Explainer Videos provide key facts about the COVID-19 vaccines for those who may be hesitant to get the vaccine when offered, or for those more likely to have been exposed to myths/misinformation. This video is currently being translated in multiple languages including BSL. Long version – YouTube S hort version – YouTube

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - experiences of vulnerable children, young people, and parents
This Scottish Government report presents findings from qualitative research conducted with a range of children, young people and parents in vulnerable groups to explore lived experiences during the COVID pandemic.

Policy News

First steps towards a National Care Service
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Minister for Social Care Kevin Stewart have welcomed the first meeting of a Social Covenant Steering Group, set up to help guide the development of a National Care Service. Establishing the group, made up of people with day-to-day experience of social care, was a key recommendation of Derek Feeley’s Independent Review of Adult Social Care. The group is expected to help establish a common set of values and beliefs – a social covenant - which will underpin the National Care Service, including treating people with dignity, prioritising the common good and ensuring there is strong oversight of the new service.
A consultation document on the National Care Service is due to be published on 9 August and the consultation will run until 18 October.

Committee launches consultation on Carer’s Allowance Supplement
Holyrood’s Social Justice & Social Security Committee has a launched a consultation on the proposed doubling of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement given to unpaid carers at the end of the year. Doubling the allowance will increase the bi-annual payment for unpaid carers to £462.80 in December and the draft legislation, if passed, would give the Scottish Government the ability to raise the supplement in future. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 12 August.

Heart disease action plan 2021: call for funding proposals
Scottish Government are inviting funding proposals linked to implementing the heart disease action plan 2021. NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and the independent sector including third sector organisations/charities can apply for funding of up to £100k for high quality, collaborative/innovative proposals that can be delivered within the timeframes (October 2021 – December 2022). Applications should be submitted by 23 August 2021.

Tackling child poverty: third year progress report 2020-2021
This Scottish Government progress report captures the range of activity taken forward in 2020/21, the third year of their four year delivery plan period.

Social Security: subject profile
This SPiCE briefing on social security outlines which benefits are devolved, are still to be devolved, and are being planned.

Breastfeeding Peer Support Core principles for volunteering in Scotland
This Scottish Government quality standard framework is for Health Boards and Third Sector organisations to apply to their peer support services.

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 Members News

Freeing low-income single parents from in-work poverty’s grip
One Parent Families Scotland, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, commissioned this report to learn more about the experiences of low- or no-income single parents in the Scottish labour market. The research carried out by consultants Iffat Shahnaz and Talat Yaqoob, finds that Scotland’s labour market is not working for single parents. The report outlines nine priority areas to support parents in the labour market and concludes that we must transform the support provided for single parents to get into and progress in work if child poverty targets are to be met.

Volunteer Recruitment Fair - Stallholder Bookings Now Open
Volunteer Edinburgh's annual fair on 22 September, 11am - 7pm, at St Paul’s & St George’s Church on York Place, is a fantastic opportunity to meet face to face with hundreds of potential volunteers from across the city. The fair will also feature access to volunteering and employment specialists. The event is free to visitors. Bookings for stallholders are charged and there are a number of payment options available. Contact Volunteer Edinburgh events team to find out more and book a stall.

Re-engage celebrate 50 years in Scotland
Older people’s charity Re-engage (formely Contact the Elderly) are celebrating 50 years of tackling loneliness amongst over-75s. Prior to the pandemic 140 tea party groups across Scotland, provided older people with contact with others at a time in their lives when their social circles are diminishing. Call companions, their new telephone befriending service for older people, launched in response to the Covid19 crisis, has now matched 128 older people to volunteer call companions across Scotland.

Tackling loneliness among older Scots
Food Train have expanded their Phone Friends service to the general public after work to support its members during the pandemic highlighted the strong need for it. It connects an older person with a volunteer who regularly phones them for a chat. The service breaks down geographic barriers to friendship and is open to everyone aged 65 and over in Scotland. For more information about Phone Friends: email

Shaping Stroke Research to Reshape Life
The Stroke Association have unveiled the top ten research priorities that survivors, carers and practitioners say they want to see taken forward to tackle “significant blind spots” in treatment and care. Around 10,000 people have a stroke every year in Scotland, with over 3,750 people dying from stroke and cerebrovascular disease, making it the fourth biggest killer in the country. By 2025 the cost of stroke to Scotland in terms of health and social care is estimated to reach over £2.5bn a year, rising to over £4.5bn a year by 2035.

Human Rights Principles in Digital Health and Social Care
The ALLIANCE, Scottish Care and VOX (Voices Of eXperience) are working together to support the development of rights based digital health and social care policy and practice across Scotland. They want to engage with people who access services and people who provide support, to collectively develop practice-based scenarios that illustrate their application in health and social care. Following a series of online events, an online survey (closing on 5 August) and an information and engagement pack have been launched. To find out more, email and the team will be able to work with you to ensure that your views and those of the people you support are represented in this work.

Tackling Child Poverty in Scotland - Webinar Series
This Poverty Alliance series of webinars is aimed at raising awareness of key issues in relation to tackling child poverty and is designed to provoke discussion about the content of the next Child Poverty Delivery Plan (CPDP), due to be published in 2022.
13 August: Taking a Strategic Approach to tackling Child Poverty
20 August: Hitting the Target: What can we do to reach the Scottish Child Poverty Targets?
27 August Preventing Child Poverty: What more can be done in Scotland?

Call for Better Alcohol Labelling
The Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) and Alcohol Focus Scotland are urging for changes to alcohol labelling laws so that alcoholic drinks have clearly displayed calorie content information. The law only requires alcohol labels to show the strength of alcohol (ABV), allergens and the container’s volume. Any other information is optional - in stark contrast to the requirements for all other food and drink products.

Fairer, Kinder, Greener: Community nurses building a healthier Scotland
With content to inspire everyone - from the future of community nursing leadership and the emotional impact of care, to planetary health and nursing’s voice in climate action - register now for QNIS's annual conference on 1 & 2 September. The event is being hosted online on Zoom and there will also be access to via YouTube. Keynote speakers will be joined by keynote listeners: special invitees who will share their professional response & reflective comments following the presentations.

Other News

Volunteering Support Fund 2021-24
The Scottish Government’s Volunteering Support Fund opened for applications on 9 July. The £3.3 million Fund will be delivered on its behalf by Impact Funding Partners over the next 3 years. Organisations can apply for up to £30,000 to March 2024. The fund closes for applications on Friday 27th August at 5pm.

The GSK IMPACT Awards
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have opened applications for the 2022 GSK IMPACT Awards. This is the 25th anniversary of the awards, and to mark this milestone funding has increased and a new GSK Grow Programme launched, which will support smaller charities. The Awards provide core funding and free training for charities doing excellent work to improve people’s health and wellbeing. Organisations must be at least three years old, working in a health-related field in the UK, with income between £120,000 and £3 million. Up to 20 awards will be made, ranging from £4,000 to £50,000, plus free training and development valued at a further £9,500. Organisations will also have a film made, receive help with press and publicity, and be given a set of promotional materials. Closing date: 20 September 2021 at 5pm.

Resources from the NHS Scotland Event June 2021
The extensive programme is now available online here. Delegates heard from a number of inspirational speakers about the challenges, stories and the extraordinary work that’s been happening throughout the pandemic, from the implementation of innovative technologies and re-design of services, to the incredible collaborative work across our health and social care services. There were several third sector presentations. Children's Hospice Assocation Scotland delivered a session on excellent palliative care to children during the pandemic. People Know How featured in a spotlight session on community health through digital stealth. All ePosters are also available to view here.

New Funding Opportunity from Cycling UK
Managed by Cycling UK - Sustrans Scotland active travel delivery partners, Shift aims to provide a range of support to organisations currently delivering or intending to deliver activities to encourage the communities they work with to cycle more, for any reason. Grants of up to £800 are available, and any organisation in Scotland (regardless of other funding they receive) that is currently delivering or intends to deliver activities which will support the aims of the programme can apply for a Shift grant.

#BeConnected Report
This Gannochy Trust and PKAVS report highlights points that were made at a series of engagement and listening events by representatives of the voluntary sector in Perth and Kinross between November 2020 and January 2021. This report describes the priorities for change that would bring about a stronger and more resilient local third sector.

Challenge Poverty Week 2021: 4 -10 October
Aims to raise a unified voice against poverty and show that we all want to live in a more just and equal Scotland; build awareness and support for solutions to poverty; change the conversation around poverty and help end the stigma of living on a low income. To get involved check out the CPW resources page with toolkits and templates, so whether that’s organising a speaker, launching an initiative or writing to your local politician it's easy for you to get involved.

Over a third of adults have multiple health problems in midlife
More than one in three British adults are suffering from two or more chronic health conditions in middle age, such as recurrent back problems, mental ill-health, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high-risk drinking, according to UCL researchers. The new study, published in the BMC Public Health journal shows that among Generation X – adults born in 1970 – those who grew up in poorer families are at much greater risk of having multiple long-term health problems in their late 40s. The research also reveals an association between physical and mental health conditions in childhood and adolescence, and chronic health problems in middle age.

Scottish Government news

New national facility for families affected by drug use
Scotland to move beyond level 0
Funding to support equality and human rights
Vaccinations for young people with certain conditions
Drug-related death statistics 2020
£1m to tackle social isolation and loneliness
Emergency response to drug overdose
East Ayrshire project work to reduce drug-related deaths
Child Disability Payment pilot opens for new applications
Young Patients Family Fund
Self-isolation rules
First steps towards a National Care Service
Major milestone in vaccination programme
Funding for community drugs projects
Te st and Protect to prioritise high risk cases
Covid-19 funding increased
Drop-in vaccine clinics in every mainland health board

Dates for your diary

11 Aug Dear Lothian Exhibition
24 Aug Vaccine Inclusion: reducing inequalities one vaccine at a time
24 Aug Impact of COVID-19 on people who use drugs
26 Aug Exploring Scotland’s 20-minute neighbourhoods
6 Oct VHS Annual Conference 2021: Health at the Heart of Communities
1 & 2 Sept Kinder Fairer Greener - QNIS online conference 2021
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.

Penumbra are recruiting
For an Assistant Support Manager Closing Date: 18 August 2021

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