Susan’s blog: the loneliness of terminal illness

Terminal illness can be an extremely lonely and isolating experience – it can be incredibly restrictive physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually, not just for people dying, but also their families […]
Hilda’s blog: building a kinder world

Loneliness and a lack of connection for people who want and need the companionship of others is one of the biggest challenges which face us today. Older adult day services […]
Summary Briefing of ‘Social Work in Scotland’

This briefing summarises the Social Work in Scotland audit report for a third sector audience. The report has been prepared by Audit Scotland for the Accounts Commission in September 2016. […]
Key Messages from Audit Scotland Roundtable event

VHS has been leading a series of discussions between Audit Scotland, members of the Third Sector Health and Social Care Collaborative and the wider third sector since October 2015. On […]
Nicola’s blog: self-management messages – more of a nudge than a shove

Is there still a rebellious child lurking in all of us? Well, all I can say is that mine is alive and well. I am extremely self-motivated to do what […]
Kiren’s Blog: Meeting with the Health and Sport Committee
During my third week in post as the new Policy Engagement Officer at VHS I attended my first Health Policy Officer’s Network (HPON) meeting which took place at the Scottish […]
Claire’s blog: what does Brexit mean for health?

Holyrood Magazine’s editor Mandy Rhodes hosted a fascinating panel discussion (22nd September 2016) on Brexit’s implications for health. Panel members were GCU’s Professor Alison Britton, Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar […]
Community Link Worker survey now open

Can you tell us about any Community Link Worker initiatives you are involved in? VHS’s national scoping exercise for The Scottish Government, announced in August 2016, is now underway. Mapping of existing […]
Health Policy Officers Network

The Health Policy Officers Network or HPON is a peer support network for health policy officers working in small to medium sized charities. The group is administered jointly by Voluntary […]
Responding to Mental Health in Scotland – A 10 year vision

During August/September 2016 the Scottish Government consulted on their proposed framework and priorities to transform mental health in Scotland. The VHS response focused around 3 priorities that we think can help deliver […]