Welcome to our December 2021 E-bulletin: sharing news & views from the VHS network & updates from Scottish Government & the NHS affecting the voluntary health sector.
If you would like to join the VHS network  - Get Involved here

VHS News & Events

VHS gets out and about
In November  some VHS team members were delighted to experience some face to face events run by other charities. Our Chief Executive Claire Stevens and Chair Rob Murray attended SCVO's event in the Scottish Government's Climate Ambition Zone during COP26 in Glasgow. The theme was climate change for non-environmental charities, and they were both struck by the work Forth Valley Sensory Centre is doing to support visually and hearing impaired people to contribute to the debate and action on climate change.

Meantime, Policy Engagement Officer Kimberley Somerside went along to Strathclyde University to participate in a workshop with the UK Commission on Bereavement workshop, organised by Marie Curie and chaired by Donald MacAskill, CEO of Scottish Care.

Back in Edinburgh our National Network Development Officer Roisin Hurst had breakfast with Eden Projects in the Royal Botanics, to hear about plans to celebrate social connections across communities next year, via the Big Lunch and the Month of Community. 

Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities December 2021 Meeting
The meeting on Monday 6 December at 6pm online via Zoom, will be chaired by Paul O’Kane MSP.  At the meeting we will hear from Dr David Blane, Clinical Research Fellow in General Practice & Primary Care, Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow on the study he is leading on Responses to the inverse care law in Scotland over the last 20 years  .  Book to attend

We are delighted that the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities has been re-registered at the Scottish Parliament and that VHS have been reappointed as the Secretariat of the Group. We welcome new co-convenors: Paul O’Kane MSP (Scottish Labour), Emma Harper MSP (SNP) and Brian Whittle MSP (Scottish Conservatives). Other MSP members are Bob Doris and Carol Mochan.

The role of culture in Health inequalities :Creative Coffee Break Conversation
This online event on 7 December by Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland is the first in series of conversations happening over the next 3 months which will look at the role culture can play in supporting health outcomes, including food poverty , women’s health and global culture and health collaborations.

VHS Annual Lecture and AGM 25 November 2021
VHS Chair Rob Murray, Chief Executive of Cancer Support Scotland and VHS Chief Executive, Claire Stevens welcomed members and guests to our 17th AGM and Annual Lecture on the 25 November. At the AGM we were delighted to re-appoint three existing board members for a further period of three years and welcome a new Board member, Christine Carlin, Chief Executive of Home Start in Scotland. At the Annual Lecture, following the AGM, we heard from the Covid-19 Modelling and Analysis Hub at Scottish Government and the Social & Public Health Sciences Unit at University of Glasgow on different aspects of the social impact of the continuing pandemic.
View their presentations here.

Health at the Heart of Communities: what’s love got to do with it?
“I loved the idea of us being health creators – so apt. It was really powerful to shine a light on what a fantastic job the voluntary health sector has done during the pandemic. The importance of kindness and compassion was emphasised throughout the day – really important attributes to aspire to. I hope the Cabinet Secretary takes forward the suggestion of having a third sector advisory board to support him.” 

The above is just one of the fantastic feeback comments received from delegates after our annual conference in October on 'Health at the Heart of Communities'. Read our delegate feedback report. Read the key messages and presentations from the conference here.

End Child Poverty Letter To Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy
Along with a number of our members and a broad coalition of charities, VHS signed a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, urging her to use the December budget to double the Scottish Child Payment immediately. 1 in 4 children are growing up in the grip of poverty in Scotland and with child poverty rising across the country, we need action. We therefore welcomed the First Minister’s announcement ahead of the Budget that the payment will be doubled from April.

Scottish Community Link Worker Network - Update
Following our scoping work into a national network for Community Link Workers in Scotland, VHS has been successful with our application for another 6 months’ funding from the Scottish Government to establish the Network. The Network will enable those community link workers based within primary care settings to come together to share resources, good practice and benefit from peer support.

Over the coming months, we will be running some development workshops and peer support sessions for Community Link Workers (CLW). The first of these will be a workshop offered in partnership with Evaluation Support Scotland, which will focus on supporting CLW to demonstrate their impact on health inequalities.

We now have a dedicated web page for the Network on the VHS website and are looking for engaging contributions from CLW for the network webpage, so do get in touch if you have any suggestions. Please email Roisin Hurst, Network Development Officer to find out more about the Network.

Kiren’s Blog: Loneliness & social isolation in the time of COVID-19
We invited Kiren Zubairi, former VHS Policy Engagement Officer, to write a guest blog reflecting on the three year anniversary of the Zubairi Report: the lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in Scotland.

Policy News

VHS and national policy working groups
As ever, VHS works hard on its members behalf through a number of policy and research working groups, enabling us to input our members' evidence, perspectives and experiences on a wide range of health policy and practice. As you would expect, our engagement always has a strong focus on health inequalities. To give you a sense of our involvement, groups we serve on include  the SG  (Covid-19) Vaccine Inclusive Steering Group, the SG (Primary Care) Inequalities Short Life Working Group, and the SG's new Place and Wellbeing Steering Group. Also PHS's Health Inclusion Partnership and the PHS stakeholder communications group on immunisations (known as the SIP CIAG). We are also long-standing members of the National Group on NHS Scotland Volunteering (managed by Healthcare Improvement Scotland), the SG's health literacy action plan implementation group (known as SHALPIG), and the SG's Social Isolation and Loneliness Advisory Group.

Minister provides update on National Care Service
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care  has written to the Health, Social Care & Sport Committee to provide an update on plans for a National Care Service (NCS) following the end of the consultation period. The minister notes a procurement exercise for the consultation analysis will be completed shortly, with analysis outcomes expected in January 2022.

Ending the need for food banks: consultation on a draft national plan
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government's vision and approach to ending the need for food banks as a primary response to food insecurity, and invites further suggestions on what more can be done to shape a national plan. Views are sought by 25 January 2022.

Digital Health and Care Data Strategy Working Group
The Scottish Government has set up a Digital Health & Care Data Strategy Working Group as part of its work on the Digital Health & Care Strategy Refresh. They will be producing a monthly blog, the first of which is a Q&A with Jonathan Cameron, the Interim Director for Digital Health and Social Care, on the development of the strategy. They also plan to tweet updates from @DigiCare4Scot.

Evidence review: alcohol & drug harms increasing prevalence among young people
A Scottish Government review of prevalence and harms relating to alcohol and drug use among young people finds signs of increasing harms and a strong trend of drug-related hospitalisations and deaths, with risk factors rooted foremost in socioeconomic determinants. Recommendations are made relating to addressing the social determinants of alcohol and drug use, alongside improving access to and the provision of treatment services for younger people in light of differing developmental needs.

Government introduces Good Food Nation Bill
The legislation was created to support the government’s ambition to become a Good Food Nation by 2025, where everyone can benefit from the food they produce, buy and eat each day. This requires ministers and certain public bodies – initially identified as health boards and local authorities – to create Good Food Nation Plans. These will set out outcomes, indicators and policies in relation to food-related issues, defined as any matter connected with health which may arise in the consumption of food.

Consultation on refreshed GIRFEC materials
Scottish Government consultation on refreshed GIRFEC materials opened on 1 November. It aims to ensure that the materials provide practitioners with the confidence, clarity and practical support to continue to implement GIRFEC and closes 4 Feb 2022. Other GIRFEC materials  will be subject to a stakeholder focussed consultation, ending on 10 December 2021. Engagement with children and young people is taking place through a number of third sector organisations and local authorities. Publication of refreshed GIRFEC materials is planned for the first half of 2022.

Health Policy Officers Network
VHS Policy Engagement Officer, Kimberley, has been working with Laura Jones from RNIB to scope out areas of interest for the HPON among its members. They’ve been engaging with the Scottish Parliament's Participation & Communities Team about priorities and launched a survey among members to gather views about future events. The network will reconvene in 2022, with its first event to be announced soon. If you’d like to find out more or join the HPON please contact Kimberley.

VHS Members News

 Mental Health Stigma
See Me and the Mental Health Foundation, in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University are running the first ever national survey to understand how people living with complex mental health problems in Scotland experience stigma and discrimination. They want to know how, where and to what extent people face stigma and discrimination because of their mental ill health. They would like to hear from people aged 18 and over, resident in Scotland, who have experienced stigma and discrimination over the last 12 months and who live with complex, severe and/or enduring mental health illnesses.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland involved in new research partnership
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is urging people to support its new partnership with academics at the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Biomedical Engineering which aims to integrate research in areas like robotics and computer gaming technology with CHSS’s ‘Hospital to Home’ services. CHSS has set up a stroke care revolution fund to help support the partnership and it is looking to initially raise £160,000 to support the work of the centre and help 450 stroke survivors access services over the next 12 months. Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of CHSS, said: “Rehabilitation is a lifeline that helps stroke survivors get their lives back. But cutting-edge rehabilitation technology and support is out of reach of most people in Scotland. This partnership will change that. It will kick start a revolution in stroke care in Scotland that will transform care for survivors and reduce pressures on our NHS.”

Never Use Alone - Preventing drug deaths
A new anonymous phone service will see trained staff stay on the line while people are using drugs to ensure they remain safe. The “Never Use Alone” phone line will be run by  We Are With You backed by £100,000 funding from the Scottish Government. The service is the first of its kind in Europe and will initially be trialled in Glasgow and North and South Ayrshire. These areas have been chosen so the system can be assessed in both urban and rural areas before being rolled out across the country.

New Respiratory Network
The ALLIANCE, in partnership with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, are establishing a network for people affected by respiratory conditions in order to gain views from a wide range of people to inform the Scottish Government Respiratory Care Action Plan (RCAP). A launch event for the network will be held on 14 December. For further information please email.

New Diabetes Network
There are over 312,000 people living with diabetes in Scotland. To ensure the refreshed Diabetes Improvement Plan is influenced and informed by people with lived experience of  diabetes the ALLIANCE, and Diabetes Scotland are supporting the creation of a Diabetes Network.  The aim is to ensure people are at the centre, that their voices, expertise, and rights, drive policy and sit at the heart of design, delivery and improvement of support and services.The Network will launch on Thursday 9 December between 10 and 12 online.  If you would like attend the launch or have any questions, please email  

Generations Working Together Excellence Awards 2022
GWT are excited to announce that their Excellence Awards for 2022 are now open for nominations. The awards provide an opportunity for individuals and groups to celebrate their learning and success in building relationships between younger and older generations. There are five categories: Creative use of Space and Place; Creative use of technologies; Enabling Inclusive Communities; Social Justice and Dignity and Tackling Climate change and the deadline for nominations is 31 January 2022 at 12 noon. 
Further information, nomination forms and guidance notes 

Making Recovery Real in Dundee 6 years on
Making Recovery Real collaborates with people with lived experience to make sure they are at the centre of decision making, service design and practice development. In this podcast Scottish Recovery Network Director, Louise Christie and Ruth Brown, Manager for Mental Health and Substance Use at Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action, reflect on the Making Recovery Real project so far and discuss plans for the future.

Let’s do Peer2Peer – Develop peer support in your own way
Are you looking for help and resources to develop peer roles and approaches? This short animation from the Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) explores what Peer2Peer is and how to get involved.

What makes peer support unique? 10 Dec or 20 Jan
If you are interested in supporting the development of peer roles and approaches and believe that peer support should be an integral offer throughout people’s recovery journey,  join SRN on the 10 December or 12 January  to discuss just what it is that makes peer support unique?

Tips for Winter Wellbeing
Feel tired, flat, want to hibernate? COPE Scotland have some tips for winter wellness.

My Path, My Life, My Right to Live Well report
This ALLIANCE report brings together the views of people living with chronic pain across Scotland.  Results show that chronic pain has a huge impact on the lives of those who experience it, and access to services and support makes a difference to living with chronic pain in a manageable way, with information particularly around waiting times in local areas important to people in understanding how to plan and manage their lives. The Report will inform the Scottish Government Chronic Pain Framework.

Other News

My Neuro Survey – The National Neurological Patient Experience Survey
The Neurological Alliance runs the  ‘My Neuro Survey’ every two years. My Neuro Survey is the largest patient experience survey of people with neurological conditions. The Survey is the biggest single source of patient experience data when it comes to commissioning services for people with neurological conditions and lobbying to improve treatment, care and support for people with neurological conditions. Take the 2021/2022 survey here.

Social Enterprise in Scotland Census 2021
Calling all Scottish social enterprises and enterprising charities. Play your part in the 4th official state of the sector review from the Scottish Government. Every two years this official study helps inform policy and funding, and shows the impact of the sector in your area. Help shape post-pandemic support: click here to complete the survey   

New animation "What is Co-production?"
This short animation explains co-production in a fun and clear way. It's been developed by the Scottish Co-production Network team, building on how we talk about co-production and explain it to others.

Talk To Me Campaign
The ‘Talk To Me’ campaign, part of Mencap’s 75th anniversary celebrations, highlights the misunderstanding people with a learning disability face from the wider public, and the negative impact this can have on the whole of society. Mencap has developed a set of online resources to help with people’s lack of understanding, including a pledge to stand up for the rights of people with a learning disability. You can find Mencap’s pledge here and the online resources here.

PHS : Briefing on health and proposed National Developments
Public Health Scotland briefing on health and proposed developments under the National Planning Framework 4. It explores how the plan will impact developments under transport, green infrastructure/spaces, housing, derelict land as well as energy and heat generation. The briefing points to increased health inequalities and the role of social deprivation in lowering life expectancy as it suggests social environments play a prominent role in shaping individuals’ outcomes. 

Scottish Government news

New Plan for endoscopy and urology
General Practice support over Winter and beyond
Doubling the Scottish Child Payment
Child Disability Payment opens for applications
National Mission funding for community project
Expanding primary care
Preventing drug deaths
Lifeline for libraries
Supporting women’s health
Driving psychological therapies improvement
Pharmacies ensuring swift patient care
Empowering communities on climate action
Roll-out of new diabetes test
New guidance for A&E departments

Covid 19 news

Omicron variant
Negative test becomes part of certification scheme
Hospitals roll out three-in-one winter virus tests
Online portal for Autumn/Winter vaccination programme
Scotland's autumn/ winter vaccination strategy 2021
Vaccine certification scheme introduced
Coronavirus in Scotland  

Communities played a crucial role in the response to Covid-19
Audit Scotland has published a new online report, highlighting examples and learning from the community-led response to Covid-19 so far. ‘Community empowerment: Covid-19 Update’ builds on Audit Scotland’s Principles for community empowerment published in 2019, and draws on a number of great examples of community groups and local partnerships between agencies and community groups.

NHS Inform online appointment booking portal goes live
An online portal is available on NHS Inform to allow people aged 50 to 59, unpaid carers aged 16 and over, and those aged 16 and over who are household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals, to book their Autumn/Winter vaccinations.  Anyone who has missed their appointment for whatever reason can also use the portal to book vaccinations. Those without online access can book an appointment through the National Helpline on 0800 030 8013. Those eligible for a flu vaccination are likely to also be eligible for a COVID-19 booster and offered both vaccinations at the same time in order to make best use of resources and to offer greater convenience. 

Dates for your diary
6 Dec: Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities December 2021 Meeting
7 Dec: ACHWS Creative Coffee Break Conversation: Health Inequalitites
8 Dec: Brodies Charities & Third Sector Academy: What do trustees need to know about data protection and cyber risk?
9 Dec: Community Link Workers – Demonstrating Impact on Health Inequalities
10 Dec & 20 Jan: What makes peer support unique?
14 Dec: SCVO - Implications of the Scottish budget for the voluntary sector

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.

The Skills Network
Nationally recognised fully funded Health and Social Care training courses to develop staff and volunteers.

Research into the public procurement system in Scotland
Blake Stevenson Ltd  are conducting research for the Scottish Government into third sector organisations’ and new private businesses’ experiences of the Scottish public procurement system. The survey asks a range of questions about organisations’ experiences of public procurement and invites you to take part in an interview with one of their researchers. The closing date for completing the survey is 21 December 2021.