At VHS, we know that racism is a public health issue and a driver of health inequalities amongst racially minoritised communities. As such, we are pleased to share our Anti-Racism Statement. This statement details how we intend to proactively challenge racism and create a culture of allyship for our team, members, and wider stakeholders.
Read our Anti-Racism Statement
In recent months, we have worked closely with colleagues at CEMVO Scotland to deliver a series of workshops exploring anti-racism for third sector organisations. This instigated a period or reflection for the VHS team, including conversations about how we could proactively create positive change both within the organisation and through our wider work.
Being anti-racist is an active, continuous commitment and not a one-time occurrence. We are committed to continual learning, honest reflection, and meaningful action, and we recognise that we will not always get everything right. We will seek feedback from members and our stakeholders, remain accountable, and continue to improve with support and expertise from our partners.
VHS Chief Executive, Tejesh Mistry, stated that:
“We know that tackling racism is essential if we are to reduce health inequalities and create a healthier Scotland. Becoming an anti-racist organisation is not a destination, it is an ongoing commitment. It requires honesty, humility and the willingness to challenge ourselves as well as the systems around us. We won’t always get everything right, but we are committed to listening, learning and working with our members and partners to create lasting change for Scotland’s communities.”
We stand in solidarity with individuals and communities affected by racism and are committed to helping build a healthier, fairer, and more equitable Scotland for everyone.
Resources
To support your own anti-racism journey, we have provided below a range of resources shared with us by CEMVO. We will continue to review and add to these resources over time.
- Anti-racism workshop slides:
- Other Resources
More Information
To find out more about our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation, or to enquire about sources of support, please contact us on mail@vhscotland.org.uk.
