Welcome to June's Newsletter 

​​​As always our newsletter has the usual roundup of news and events, including the latest about our 2026 Conference and our autumn events schedule.

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. You can follow us on Twitter @ScotCLWnetwork and don't forget to share your news and updates with us. 

Events, Workshops and Training

Scottish Community Link Worker Network Events

You can find booking details, presentations and key messages from all of our Network events on our dedicated events page.

Benefits Takeup Engagement Event - 23 July 2026
The Scottish Government is seeking the views of SCLWN and VHS members on how best to maximise take-up of social security entitlements in Scotland. Your input will help shape the next Benefit Take-Up Strategy, due for publication in October.  Join us on 23 July for an opportunity to share your insights and expertise directly with the Scottish Government and help inform a robust, evidence-based approach to maximising take-up of social security entitlements for everyone who is eligible in Scotland over the next 5 years.

Compassionate Conversations training - 9 September 2026
This training event, in partnership with Cruse Scotland, will focus on how to talk compassionately about death, dying and bereavement. The course is designed to build CLWs' confidence and insight on the differing expressions of grief responses following bereavement.

Knowledge Exchange - 17 September 2026
Our regular Knowledge Exchanges offer Community Link Workers the opportunity to hear from organisations and services that can support them and their clients.  Our September event will feature presentations from MISS – Miscarriage Support, Breathing Space and Children in Scotland.

SCLWN Conference and Awards 2026 - 22 September 2026
Booking is now open to everyone for our 2026 Annual Network Conference and Awards, which is taking place on 22 September at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Don't forget to submit your nominations for the awards, you have until 29 June - please complete this form to get nominating!

Carers' Awareness Training for CLWs - 6 October 2026
Join us for VOCAL's Think Carer training, which is designed to support Community Link Workers across Scotland to confidently identify and support unpaid carers in your day-to-day role.  

Knowledge Exchange - 12 November 2026
Our regular Knowledge Exchanges offer Community Link Workers the opportunity to hear from organisations and services that can support them and their clients.  Our November event will feature presentations from Ash Scotland, Action Against Stalking and Elevate Autism.

Peer Support and Wellbeing Session for CLWs - 25 November 2026
Community Link Workers can only help others if they are also looking after themselves too. This session, which will be led by Hilda Campbell from Cope Scotland, will focus on tips for Community Link Workers to ensure they are managing their own health and wellbeing.

Visit our events page for more information and to book your place on any of our events!

Other Events, Training and Resources

Patient Partnership Week Events - 29 June - 3 July 
Patient Partnership Week is a moment to focus on a simple but powerful truth: healthcare works best when patients are treated as partners.  Across seven free online webinars (happening 29th June – 3rd July), the Patients' Association is bringing together patients, professionals, policymakers, and researchers to explore what meaningful partnership looks like in practice and why it matters. All events can be found here.

Save the Date - Suicide Prevention Conference - 10 September
For World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September, suicide prevention partners are collaborating with Abertay University to host a full-day conference which will create the space for shared learning about what makes a difference in suicide prevention. More information to follow. 

Social Isolation and Loneliness Forum - 16 September
The Social Isolation and Loneliness Forum is co-chaired by Befriending Networks and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. The September meeting will focus on loneliness amongst children and young people. Book now.   

NHS Scotland Conference - 21 September
The annual NHS Scotland Conference will take place on Monday 21 September at Strathclyde University's Technology and Innovation Centre.  The event's programme will showcase work towards transforming health and care services through collaboration. Find out more information here.

Voluntary Health Scotland Annual Conference - 2 November
Mark your calendars for this year's Annual Conference taking place at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. More details to follow soon. 

MS-UK Awareness Session for Community Link Workers - 6 November
MS-UK is hosting an awareness raising session for community link workers and social prescribers to support their knowledge on multiple sclerosis. The session will explain the symptoms and impact of MS as well as provide details of how CLWs can get support for patients.  Find out more information.

PSDS 2026 Bereavement Conference - 11 November
Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS) will be hosting their Bereavement Education Conference on 11 November. The conference will be a free, virtual, one-day event. Find out more information here.

Public Health Scotland Conference - 24 November
The Faculty of Public Health is partnering with Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Directors of Public Health Group on this year’s Conference.  Join them to explore the theme – From Frameworks to Future: Realising Scotland’s Population Health Ambitions.  Find out more and book your place here.

Good Practice Guide on Engaging with Gypsy/Travellers
Public Health Scotland's Good Practice Guide on engaging with Gypsy/Travellers supports health professionals on good practice in relation to tailoring public health messages to them. We will be hosting an event with Public Health Scotland in the autumn for CLWs about this - watch this space! 

Patients' Association Resources for ESOL Speakers
The Patients' Association has translated two of their factsheets: 'Knowing your rights and accessing support as a patient' and 'Getting the most out of your appointments' into Arabic, Bengali, Portuguese, Romanian and Urdu.  View the resources here. 

Parent Club - Support for Families
Parent Club is the Scottish Government’s main online portal for parents and carers and includes a Family Support Directory. Parent Club includes empathetic advice and support on a wide range of topics to help families navigate the complexities of family life. 

NHS 24 Summer Campaign 2026
NHS 24 has recently launched the summer phase of their public health campaign Powered by People, which highlights the convenience and benefits of using digital services for trusted health information. The campaign promotes NHS inform as a great first port of call if people are unwell and are unsure where to get help.

Working Health Services Scotland
There is a range of resources, guidance and support available to help people enter or remain at work when they are ill, have a disability or suffer from long-term health conditions on the Healthy Working Lives website. Practices may find it helpful to signpost patients to these resources, which include  Working Health Services Scotland. 

News from across the Network

Prescribe Culture Study Visit - Talking Social Prescribing
Roisin joined Ruthanne Baxter from the University of Edinburgh's Prescribe Culture programme to meet a cohort of psychology, education and social work students from the University of North Florida. We discussed the power of social prescribing and the difference it can make. They are really keen to bring it into their future careers. 

Subsidised Breaks in the West Highlands for CLWs
We have a longstanding partnership with Turadh which offers subsidised accommodation to CLWs in one of 3 beautiful properties in the West Highlands. We have had a number of CLWs take advantage of this offer previously and they have welcomed the opportunity to get away, relax and recharge their batteries. Please visit their website to find out more about the accommodation and costs. If you apply, please ensure you reference your job title as a CLW on your application.

PCIP Implementation Progress Summary Published
The latest PCIP progress summary has been published by Scottish Government and includes the latest workforce figures for CLWs in Scotland up to end of March 2026. The figures show that there are just under 350 CLWs in Scotland. View the summary here.

SCLWN Leads Peer Support Event
It was lovely to see so many Leads at our latest peer support event where we heard from North Ayrshire CLW team about their weigh to go and smoking cessation support. We also heard from ASH Scotland about their whole family approach to tackling the harm caused by smoking.  You can read the key messages and presentations from this on our events page.

Coffee and Conversations for CLWs
Our latest lunchtime Coffee and Conversations for CLWs focused on training in the workplace. There was a lot of chat around safety in the CLW role and particularly lone working. Roisin is meeting with a few organisations to look into exploring some training around this for the Network to support both CLWs and Programme Leads. Feel free to reach out if you have any thoughts/ideas.

Other News

International Social Prescribing Development Study Survey 2026
The International Social Prescribing Development Study Survey 2026 is now live. This is the first international study of how social prescribing systems are being built, implemented, and digitally supported across 40+ countries.  The survey takes 25 minutes and your response is your country's contribution to that evidence base. Your expert judgement is what makes this data meaningful.  Complete the survey here.

Report Showcases Social Return of Social Prescribing
The National Academy for Social Prescribing have just published a report by UCL which found that social prescribing is linked to improved wellbeing, happiness and life satisfaction, reduced anxiety - and an estimated £9 social return for every £1 invested. 

SPICe Blogs on Prevention
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has produced a report outlining the key issues around prevention which are likely to be of interest in the new parliamentary session.  

Quarter of Scottish Adults Have Poor Mental Health
Nearly a quarter of Scottish adults are experiencing poor mental health, according to new data released by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF).  The State of UK Mental Health Inequality Report shows that in 2024/25, 1.1 million, or 24.6% of all Scottish adults were experiencing poor mental health.

Health Inequalities Reflect the Imbalance of Power in Our Communities
This article from Dr Rishma Maini looks at the importance of recognising and acting on the wider social determinants of health to tackle Scotland's health inequalities.  Read more.

NICE Survey Into Digital Health Inequalities and Exclusion
The People and Communities Team from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) invites your organisation to contribute to a short survey on digital health inequalities and exclusion.  Your insight will help better understand where inequalities may arise and how to address them. You can access the survey here.

Impact of Cost of Living Crisis on Disabled People
A new report has highlighted the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis, with disabled people forced to take difficult decisions about eating, heating, and using essential equipment. Published by Disability Equality Scotland, the research shows that 1 in 6 disabled people are having to choose between keeping warm and using their independent living equipment.

First Minister Pledges to Expand Community-based Mental Health 
John Swinney has pledged to expand community-based mental health support ahead of a visit to The Nook, a drop-in service run by Scottish Action for Mental Health in Glasgow, The service offers mental health support without the need for a referral.

Charities Join Forces to Create Vision After Stroke Resources
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has partnered with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Visibility Scotland to publish a new set of vision after stroke resources.  The Vision after Stroke Essential Guide and accompanying Double Vision, Visual Neglect/Inattention, and Visual Field Loss Factsheets gives advice, support, and information to support people experiencing vision loss, and carers.

Anti-racist Practice - What Does Real Change Demand of All of Us?
A new blog from Close The Gap explores what the third sector needs to do to take a genuinely intersectional and anti-racist approach. "A good starting point is to ask some honest and fundamental questions: why do we want to take this approach, and why now? Who are our services, goods, and employment structures designed for, by whom, and for what purpose?"  Read more.

Valuing Local Communities in Research and Policymaking
Evidence‑based policymaking remains the gold standard in Scotland and beyond. This report presents learning outcomes from a Royal Society of Edinburgh event last year on how community knowledge is created, shared and valued, and how some voices continue to be overlooked.  Read more.