Welcome to the November Network Newsletter!

The Newsletter brings together news, stories and events of interest to the Network. 

In this month's edition, we have the usual round up of Network news, events and training including a empowering patient video story from the Community Link Worker programme in Stirlingshire and finally some good news about the position of the community link worker programmes in Glasgow city.

The Scottish Community Link Worker Network is the national network, developed and facilitated by VHS, 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

Knowledge Exchange events

We held our latest Knowledge Exchange event on 15 November when we welcomed speakers from Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and The Pain Association Scotland. Don't worry if you missed the event, you can access both presentations here. Our next Knowledge Exchange event will take place on Thursday 25 January from 10-12noon and will feature speakers from Pancreatic Cancer UK, NHS 24 and Paths for All. Find out more information including how to register for your place.

Peer support event - we want to hear your ideas!

Our next Network peer support event is scheduled for Wednesday 28 February from 12.30 - 2pm.  The peer support events are all about bringing CLWs together to discuss issues that are important to you in your day-to-day working life. You also have the opportunity to chat in smaller groups with your peers.  Our last session focused on overcoming challenges and training. We would love to hear from you about what topics you would like to focus on at the next session.  Please get in touch with Roisin or Lauren with your ideas.

Scottish Community Link Worker Network annual conference 2024 - save the date!

Following the success of this year's first Network conference, we are busy making plans for next year's event which will take place on Wednesday 29 May 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.  We will be working with the Network's advisory and working groups to put together an exciting and interesting programme for the day and will of course take into account the comprehensive feedback we got from you all after this year's event. If you have any thoughts you would like to share about next year's conference, please get in touch with Roisin or Lauren

Other events

Voluntary Health Scotland conference - The Health Creators' Summit

VHS's annual conference The Health Creators' Summit took place last month at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.  It was great to see some CLWs from the Network in the audience so we hope you enjoyed the day. The value and importance of CLWs' work in building a health creating society was referenced by a number of our key speakers including Lord Nigel Crisp, Angiolina Foster and Michael Matheson. We have now shared photos and key messages from the day on our conference webpage 

National Academy of Social Prescribing webinars 

The next National Academy of Social Prescribing Webinar will take place on Wednesday 6 December from 9.30 - 11.00 and will focus on evidence in social prescribing. You can register for a place via their website.  In recognition of UK Men's Day, the Academy's webinar Men's Mental Health took place on 7 November and focused on mental wellbeing and how men could access social prescribing. A recording of the event is available here

Alliance and NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) webinars on Long Covid

If you have experience of or are supporting someone with Long Covid, come and join the Health and Social Care Alliance and NSS to share your opinions and feedback on healthcare in Scotland,

The sessions will be held on Zoom on two dates: 13th December from 2-4pm or 14th December from 6-8pm

Find out more and book your place

Social Security Scotland - carer support payment case transfer events

From spring 2024 some clients currently in receipt of Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions will have their award transferred to Carer Support Payment which is administered by Social Security Scotland.

Social Security Scotland are hosting a series of free online events in January and February to provide external stakeholders and partners with information about this process specifically designed for clients in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. These sessions will include details of:

• how clients currently on Carer’s Allowance will be selected for case transfer
• the policies and processes which will underpin the transfer process
• the end to end client journey
• how they will communicate with clients throughout this process

If you would like to find out more information about these events visit the Social Security Scotland website

The Scottish Government has also highlighted the Carer Support Payment will open for applications in pilot areas from November 2023, subject to parliamentary approval of regulations setting out rules and eligibility. Adults living in Perth and Kinross, Dundee City and Na h-Eileanan an Iar, will be the first of those eligible to apply ahead of a phased national rollout from spring 2024 and national availability by autumn 2024.

GamCare - free gambling awareness and prevention training

GamCare is running a free online Gambling Awareness and Prevention (GAP) training session on Wednesday 10 Jan 2024 from 13:30 - 15:30.

The session is aimed at professionals, practitioners and volunteers who may provide debt advice to individuals, enabling Debt and Money Advisors to recognise and respond appropriately to people both experiencing and at risk of experiencing gambling-related harms and those affected by others’ gambling. The training content is evidence-based and provides information about the various support options, specialist services and referral pathways available. Please click this link to reserve a space and for further information. For more information about GamCare, please contact their Engagement Lead Jason Meek

Scottish Public Health conference - Inspiring Change

This in-person Scottish Public Health Conference which will take place in Glasgow on Wednesday 1 May 2024 has been jointly developed by the faculty of Public Health, Public Heath Scotland and Scottish Directors of Public Health.

Bringing together Scottish public health practitioners, academics, and colleagues from the third sector, this will be an opportunity to engage with:

• Plenary sessions from leaders working at the forefront of current and complex challenges
• Parallel and poster sessions showcasing work from across Scotland
• Colleagues from all sectors involved in developing and delivering public health

Highlights from the Network

Edinburgh CLW Network finalists at the recent Scottish Health Awards

The Edinburgh CLW network were finalists in the ‘Tackling Health Inequalities’ category as part of the recent Scottish Health Awards. Although they didn't win on this occasion, what a fantastic achievement to be nominated! You can read more about all the Scottish Health Awards 2023 - Finalists on the Awards website. The photo above is of some of the Edinburgh CLW team at the awards ceremony on 2 November.

Essential Connections Report: launch date 30 November!

The Scottish Community Link Worker Network's long-awaited report exploring the range and scope of community link worker programmes across Scotland will be published on St Andrew's Day to coincide with Voluntary Health Scotland's Annual General Meeting and Big Debate. The report, entitled 'Essential Connections' was written by Findlay Smith, the Network's Policy and Research Officer and it aims to capture and understand more about the range and scope of community link worker programmes across Scotland.  Keep an eye on our website for more information!

Network mid-year report published

Roisin has produced a mid-year report on the Network's activity from April to September of this year. Thanks to all the CLWs who have contributed to a packed period for the Network - we have been busy!  You can read the report here

Scottish Government commits to sustaining Glasgow City's community link worker programme

The Scottish Government has committed to securing Glasgow City's community link worker programme after months of concern about the future and long-term sustainability of the city's community link workers. You can read the full story here

Stirlingshire shares video highlighting 'life changing' work

Danielle Philmeny who is a Community Link Worker in Stirlingshire recently shared a video that one of her clients Jack has recorded. It highlights the impact that Danielle's support has had on his life, describing it as 'life changing'. It is a really powerful endorsement of the difference that community link workers make to people in their communities on a daily basis. We have shared the video on our Network webpage. It is well worth watching and we want to thank Jack for sharing his story.

Other News

Scottish Government launches mental health and wellbeing strategy delivery plan

The Scottish Government has produced a Strategy Delivery Plan for its mental health and wellbeing strategy, describing how it is going to improve mental health for everyone in Scotland between 2023 and 2025.

Public Health Scotland: GP survey feedback on primary care reform

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published the results of its survey which was looking at feedback from GPs on primary care reform. PHS conducted the survey to find out if GPs thought multidisciplinary team staff groups eased their workload and resulted in a better experience for patients. Just over a third of respondents (37%) reported having sufficient access to a community link worker. When adequate staffing was in place for teams to make an impact, staff were able to create positive changes to practices. One respondent commented, 'Our links worker has had by far the biggest impact on improving patient care and I have learnt a lot from him.’  The second report will present the findings from a survey to explore these changes from the perspectives of other MDT members.

Scottish Government launches winter plan for health and social care

The Scottish Government has published its Health and Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan 2023-24, setting out a whole system approach for responding to a surge in demand for health and social care services and outlining the actions to help relieve pressure points across the system. As part of the plan’s publication, the Government has announced a £50m funding boost for Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) recruitment and up to £12m to expand Hospital at Home.

Trauma road map produced to support organisations

The National Trauma Transformation Programme has produced guidance in the form of a trauma roadmap for organisations, systems and workforces on creating trauma informed and responsive change.

The Stroke Association Scotland - resources available for CLWs

The Stroke Association Scotland provides support to people who have had a stroke or who are caring for someone who is recovering from one. The Association is also happy to post leaflets to community link workers to share with people they might be supporting. For more information, please contact their Engagement Officer Maureen Hunter

Survey launched to map social prescribing across Scotland

The Scottish Social Prescribing Network (SSPN) has launched a survey to  map what social prescribing looks like across Scotland. The SSPN wants to hear from any organisation that provides a social prescribing service. The survey will be open for organisations to complete until the end of the year. 

Scotland’s death rates almost twice as high in the most deprived areas

The Scottish Government has highlighted the publication of the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends in response to a government initiated question. It found death rates are almost twice as high in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to the least deprived. Julie Ramsay, Head of Demographic Statistics at National Records of Scotland, said: “2022 saw the largest year-on-year decrease in drug misuse deaths on record but it was still 3.7 times as high as it was in 2000.”

General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme now open

The Scottish Government has announced the General Practice Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Scheme is now open to all General Practices in Scotland wishing to take part, following the incorporation of feedback from practices which took part in an initial pilot. Responding to a government-initiated question, Graeme Dey notes the aim of the scheme is to raise awareness among General Practice of some of the health challenges facing veterans and armed forces families as a result of military service and to improve person-centred outcomes for the armed forces community. General Practices wishing to sign up to the scheme should email for more information.

National Academy of Social Prescribing publishes annual report

The National Academy of Social Prescribing has published its annual report for 2022-23 which showcases the breadth and diversity of their work to develop social prescribing. You can read the report here