Welcome to the April Network Newsletter!

Welcome to April's edition of the newsletter which as always brings together news, stories and events relevant to the Network. 

In this month's edition, we have the usual round up of Network news, events and training from across Scotland and we look ahead to our second conference next month - not long to go now!

The Scottish Community Link Worker Network is the national network, developed and facilitated by Voluntary Health Scotland for primary care community link working in Scotland.

Please visit our webpage for the latest blogs, reports and information about the Network. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @ScotCLWnetwork

Events, Workshops and Training

Scottish CLW Network Events

Read the notes and presentations from last month's Network events
Last month the Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate ran a session with CLWs from the Network to enable them to feed into the Scottish Government's independent review of community learning and development. You can read the notes here.  Our sixth Knowledge Exchange event took place on 24 April and we heard great presentations from GamCare, Stroke Association and Sight Scotland Veterans. You can download their presentations here. If there are organisations you want to present to the Network at future events, then please get in touch with Roisin or Lauren 

Scottish Community Link Worker Network Conference - 29 May 2024
It's only 5 weeks to go now until we all meet together in Glasgow for our second conference. Don't forget that you can book your place by clicking here Please note that the Conference is free for members of the Network.  We are looking forward to a great day and you can find out the latest information about the programme on our conference page If you have any other questions, please get in touch with Roisin or Lauren 

Age Scotland 'Unlock your entitlements' workshop - 12 June 2024
The Network has partnered up with Age Scotland to offer CLWs the opportunity to attend this workshop. Many older people do not claim the benefits to which they are entitled; this session will explore the different benefits they could be eligible for and how to access them.  You can find out more on our webpage about the unlocking-your-entitlements-with-age-scotland workshop and book your place. 

Other events, training and resources

VHS online members' event - 21 May 2024
Voluntary Health Scotland is hosting an online members event on 21 May from 10-11.30. This will be a great opportunity to meet VHS's new Chief Executive, Tejesh Mistry and new Policy and Engagement Lead, Matthew James. Book your place

Cross Party Group: Health Inequalities - 4 June 2024
Join VHS for the next meeting of the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities, Speakers and agenda will be announced soon. Find out more and book your place

Movement for Health Conference - 18 June 2024
The Movement for Health is holding its first ever conference on 18 June in Glasgow. Movement for Health is a coalition of Scotland's leading health charities. It works to support and inspire those with long-term health conditions to become more active in a way that works for them and their health condition. 

Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland regional events
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland CEO Jane-Claire Judson invites CLWs to find out how they can work together with you to achieve their mission of No Life Half Lived and support the NHS.  They are hosting 6 events between April and June across Stirling, Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. You can find out more in their invitation and register here

Community Health Exchange (CHEX) Resources
CHEX has produced some new resources relating to community led health. Sarah Boath from CHEX will be delivering a roundtable session at the Network Conference in May. 

5th International Social Prescribing Conference - 19 -20 June 2024
The 5th International Social Prescribing Conference will take place at the University of Westminster on 19 and 20 June. You can find out more information about the programme.       

Highlights from the Network

The Alliance and the ICIC Conference 2024
Roseann Logan (above) from the Health and Social Care Alliance attended the recent ICIC (International Conference on Integrated Care) in Belfast where she talked about Community Link Workers and the importance of putting people and communities at the heart of decision making.

The Network and the NHS Scotland Conference
Roisin will be attending the NHS Scotland Conference 2024 'Planning for the Future: Delivering Health and Care Services through Innovation and Collaboration' as part of the poster competition where she will present Voluntary Health Scotland and the Network's recent research report Essential Connections which looked into the range and scope of community link worker programmes in Scotland.

Inverclyde CLW Team spring newsletter
The Inverclyde CLW team have published their latest newsletter highlighting some of the local resources that are available at this time of year to help patients. It is a nice way of keeping local people informed about what groups and activities are available. You can read their newsletter here 

Edinburgh CLW bids farewell and reflects on her time in the role
Claire Gardiner from Edinburgh Community Link Worker Network reflects on her final days as a community link worker.....

One of the frequent themes that comes from our reflective practice sessions is "endings". When is it time to close a case if you are waiting on a service supporting your client? Have they missed a meeting and you can't get hold of them, but you know they need support? These issues have been explored in our meetings and we often agree that although endings are hard, sometimes it is the right time to let go. 

With that in mind I am leaving my role as a Community Link Worker with some reflections of my six plus years in the Edinburgh Community Link Worker Network.

For me the role is about relationships, the connection you make with people to quickly understand their needs and give them space or confidence to make a change, as well as all the relationships within the MDT and the services to assist the client to make those links. 

I started off in the Ripple Project in Restalrig in 2017, a bustling community centre where the link between health and third sector could not be clearer. I have maintained a strong connection to the staff and volunteers in the Ripple with many referrals still going to them.

When the funding was renewed in 2020 I moved into an amazing team at Caring in Craigmillar (in the midst of the pandemic and the first lockdown). It has been a joy to see the incredible work that goes into reducing isolation and bringing friendship and fun to our oldest citizens. 

I have met some of my favourite people through my role as a Community Link Worker, some of whom will be friends for life. I have cried and laughed and learned an incredible amount. So, armed with all those experiences, I am off to pastures new! I will keep my eye firmly on how link working and social prescribing continue to develop here in Scotland and wish everybody still involved my very best'.

Other News

VHS celebrates 20th anniversary
At the end of March VHS held an event to celebrate its 20th anniversary and welcomed new Chief Executive Tejesh Mistry, and new Policy & Engagement Lead, Matthew James. The anniversary evening reception at The Scottish Storytelling Centre looked back at some of VHS's key milestones as well as looking ahead to the future.  It was great to hear speakers reflect on the important work the voluntary health sector faces in tackling health inequalities. 

Report into tackling the inverse care law in Scottish general practice
The Deep End Group used their April conference to launch the report Tackling the Inverse Care Law in Scottish General Practice. The report which was funded by The Health Foundation identifies and analyses policies and interventions to address the inverse care law in general practice in Scotland since 2000 and in particular the impact of the Scottish Deep End Project.                                                                                                            

PHS calls for preventative approach to health
Paul Johnston, chief executive of Public Health Scotland (PHS) has called for a preventative approach to be taken to Scotland’s health, as the burden of disease from an ageing population is likely to grow.

£30m allocated to community mental health funds for 2024-25
The Scottish Government has awarded £15m to the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults and the Children and £15m to the Young People’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports Fund for 2024-25. The funding is part of the direct programme budget allocated for mental health as part of the 2024-25 budget.                                                                            

Maree Todd responds to National Care Service (Scotland) Bill
Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport has provided a full response to the Heath, Social Care and Sport Committee's Stage 1 report on the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill. This follows on from the interim response on February 28th and advises on details and timings for the next stage of work. Read the response here and Derek Feeley's comments on how the NCS is progressing 

Restricting Promotion of HFSS food
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the proposed regulations to restrict the promotions of high in saturated Fat, Salt and Sugar (HFSS) foods where they are sold to the public. The consultation closes on 21 May and is supported by Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS).  

RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards 2024 are now open
The search is on for Scotland's nature and wellbeing champions. Entry is FREE and can be from individuals, communities, or organisations whose work can demonstrate both the positive impact of nature on human health and how this inspires people to take more action for nature and the planet.  Celebrate your own work or nominate the achievements of others. There are 10 categories to choose from and include the Health and Wellbeing Award.  Click here for more information.

Waiting Well Hub NHS
NHS Inform has launched a new 'Waiting Well Hub', created to support people who are on a waiting list to see a healthcare specialist or to get get health and social care services. You can view their resources here. 

Carer’s Leave Act set to support unpaid carers
A legal entitlement to unpaid leave for carers has been hailed as a “huge step forward for millions” as it comes into effect. Carers UK said the new law will apply to more than two million workers in England, Scotland and Wales who have unpaid caring responsibilities. Under the Carer’s Leave Act, employees who are carers can take up to a week of unpaid leave every 12 months.