Our Manifesto for Health Creation is LIVE! This was developed in consultation with our members and will inform our policy priorities well beyond next year’s Scottish Parliament election. Please read, like, share and join our movement for health creation! bit.ly/4nDmRAe

The VHS team are launching the VHS 2026 Manifesto this morning at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. It's going to be a great event. We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Today we submitted our response to the @natrecordsscot.bsky.social consultation on Scotland's Census 2031. The census is a rich source of data for third sector health organisations and the 2031 census should reflect the shift to prevention in health. bit.ly/4gQja7t

Today we are delighted to publish a joint statement on prevention with @alliancescot.bsky.social, SCDC, and Edinburgh Community health Forum. The statement calls for urgent action to achieve a prevention-centred health system. vhscotland.org.uk/joint-statem...

Just 1 week to go! We’re counting down to the launch of the VHS 2026 Manifesto next Thursday October 2nd at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. Developed through wide consultation with our members, the Manifesto reflects the real voices and priorities of the sector.

Have your say on chronic pain care in Scotland. VHS is hosting an online consultation event on 7th October, 2–3.30pm via Teams to gather views from our members and stakeholders. Book your space at tinyurl.com/4ac76szt

**Guest Blog** Read Emilie's Blog: Research into Social Prescribing: What’s the Story So Far? tinyurl.com/msh4ych3

The VHS September e-Newsletter is out. Packed with all our events, member news and updates. Read it at tinyurl.com/j6uecpwd

Invitation: Demystifying the Disclosure Act-VHS Online Event, Oct 1st, 10am. New rules under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act affect those working with children/protected adults. Join our online workshop to find out more & get your questions answered. Book at tinyurl.com/38s4836e

**VHS Guest Blog** In the lead up to the Scottish Vision Strategy Conference on September 17th, VHS member Laura Jones from RNIB shares her blog about the importance of putting accessibility at the heart of eye care. #SVS2025 Read it at tinyurl.com/4uzyhz54

**Early Bird offer ending tomorrow**. Secure your spot at the VHS Annual Conference 'Collaboration for Change' & save £15 with discount code EARLYBIRD. Ends September 5th! Book at tinyurl.com/mv8vj8maConf...

Secure your spot at the VHS Annual Conference & save £15 with discount code EARLYBIRD. Offer ends September 5. Book at tinyurl.com/mv8vj8ma Just some of our speakers include Professor Devi Sridhar, Chair of Global Public Health @uoe-sps.bsky.social & Manira Ahmad, @publichealthscot.bsky.social

Today, @natrecordsscot.bsky.social published data showing that drug related deaths in Scotland have fallen by 13%. Read the response from our Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Sarah Latto: bit.ly/3HP2IYf

Invitation: Demystifying the Disclosure Act-VHS Online Event, Oct 1st, 10am. New rules under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act affect those working with children/protected adults. Join our online workshop to find out more & get your questions answered. Book at tinyurl.com/38s4836e

Bookings Open! VHS Annual Conference ‘Collaboration for Change’, October 28th 2025. Book & save £15 (code EARLYBIRD). A thought-provoking event which will bring together voices from the third sector, public sector, academia, policymakers & communities. Book at tinyurl.com/mv8vj8ma

Last week we submitted our response to the Public Health Scotland call for views on their Strategy for 2025 to 2035. This call for views is still open until Friday 29th August. Read a summary and our full response at this link: bit.ly/4n2R6zS

On 17th August we joined 240 organisations in signing this open letter to the First Minister, led by @alliancescot.bsky.social and @ccpscotland.bsky.social, detailing the action needed to avert a health and social care crisis in Scotland. Our CE, @tejeshm.bsky.social, shares why: bit.ly/3HvHsXm

Today we published our response to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee call for views on mental health spending. We explore the disconnect between national policy and spending decisions, and reflect on the vital role of the 3rd sector in mental health data and delivery. bit.ly/41u86GX

Our August e-Newsletter is out. Read all about our latest news, policy updates and events for 2025 at vhscotland.org.uk/vhs-august-e...

Great to hear Devi Sridhar speak today at the Edinburgh International Book Festival for our VHS team outing. Chaired by Isabel Hardman it was a fascinating session on health and wellbeing, politics and society and interesting to hear ideas of designing society to keep people healthy.

VHS membership is FREE. If your organisation is interested in improving health inequalities in Scotland and want to join our collective voice and be part of dynamic and engaging community who want to make a difference why not join us? Apply now at vhscotland.org.uk/join-vhs/

Join the Scottish Community Link Worker Network, VHS & Audit Scotland at our online event on August 21, 2pm to explore the recent report which focuses on Primary Care pressures and impact for health inequalities and third sector partners. Find out more and book at tinyurl.com/kw3yvakf

**Policy Event** We're responding to the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee pre-budget scrutiny into mental health spend and are keen to hear from our members! Sign up for our consultation event on 31st July. tinyurl.com/8re79dpz

**Member visit** A great afternoon hosting VHS member SIMBA Charity and finding out more about their crucial work supporting families across Scotland who have lost a baby. We heard about their strategy and about the thought and care that goes into their beautiful memory boxes.

**Policy Event** We're responding to the Scottish Parliament's Health, Social Care and Sport Committee pre-budget scrutiny into mental health spend and are keen to hear from our members! Sign up for our consultation event on 31st July. tinyurl.com/8re79dpz

Yesterday we published our response to the Scottish Government consultation on a Long Term Conditions Framework. Read a summary and access the full response here: bit.ly/3IBAYGv

Join SCLWN, VHS and @auditscotland.bsky.social at our online event on August 21st, 2pm to explore the recent report which focuses on Primary Care pressures and impact for health inequalities and third sector partners. Find out more & book your place at tinyurl.com/bde9a56u

By being part of the VHS network you can help raise the voice of the sector. Our work wouldn’t be possible without our board of trustees. Join VHS and be part of the movement for a fairer, healthier Scotland. VHS membership is FREE - find out more at tinyurl.com/yssmun94

Our latest e-Newsletter is out now. Events, blogs, news and policy updates read the July issue at tinyurl.com/5t4u9wnb

Our response to the UK Government Pathways to Work consultation shares our reflections on the proposals, including the important role of the 3rd sector and the worry that narrative around the proposals could reinforce harmful stereotypes. Read more here. tinyurl.com/pwranamh

Online workshop tomorrow July 2nd. Sign up at tinyurl.com/mw2ku3ye Share your views: Long Term Conditions Framework, VHS is responding to the Scottish Govt's consultation on their Long Term Conditions Framework & hope to reflect the experiences and views of our members.

On Friday we shared our response to the Scottish Labour Policy Forum Stage 2 call for views, which will inform the development of their manifesto for next year's Scottish parliamentary election. Read a summary of our response tinyurl.com/4by4zhtz

The Scottish Government published their Medium Term Financial Strategy today, read VHS' response at tinyurl.com/bddz74wa

Share your views: Long Term Conditions Framework VHS is responding to the Scottish Govt's consultation on their Long Term Conditions Framework & hope to reflect the experiences and views of our members. Sign up for our consultation workshop on the 2nd July tinyurl.com/mw2ku3ye

Have your say in our 2026 manifesto! *Share your views in this short survey which is open until the end of July: tinyurl.com/53a3ysn5 *We're also hosting a series of short 20 minute workshops in July to present our ideas so far & hear your views. Visit: tinyurl.com/yc2s335w

A great development day with the VHS staff team and board discussing what the next year has in store for us. Some fantastic discussions and a lot to consider in the lead up to the 2026 elections. Thanks to everyone for their big ambitions and input. Watch this space! @tejeshm.bsky.social

*VHS Blog* Sarah Latto, VHS Policy and Public Affairs Lead, reflects on her first three weeks in post at VHS, including the publication of the Population Health Framework and the Service Renewal Framework this week. Read it at tinyurl.com/3d2dtj8v

Great to support the first #DayofMovement today at Scottish Parliament. An inspiring event shining a spotlight on @movementfhealth.bsky.social & celebrating the power of any form of physical activity to support people with long-term health conditions. ‪@Walkingscotland.bsky.social‬

"It all adds up…you don’t need to sweat, you don’t need to take two hours out of the day, it’s the little things.” Celebration of movement The 18th of June marks Scotland’s National Day of Movement.

**VHS Guest Blog** “I thought I’d never kick a ball again. Street Soccer changed my life.” Read about the impact VHS member Street Soccer Scotland is making across the nation in Andy's Blog tinyurl.com/4eecmhhc

#CarersWeek2025 A huge shout out to all the carers across the UK and the VHS members working tirelessly to support carers across Scotland. Your dedication makes a real difference. Together we can push for fairer, healthier futures for all. #healthinequalities

In 2018 VHS published the Zubairi Report which explored the lived experiences of loneliness among under-represented groups in Scotland. This #LonelinessAwarenessWeek it’s timely to reshare the groundbreaking findings vhscotland.org.uk/the-zubairi-...

The VHS June e-Newsletter is out now. Packed with all our member news and VHS updates. Read it at tinyurl.com/24mpaxdk

VHS is guided by a brilliant board helping to drive our mission to tackle health inequalities. Here's what Jennifer Forsyth said about her work with us. Does your organisation want to be part of a network that champions the sector? Find out about FREE VHS membership vhscotland.org.uk/join-vhs/

This #VolunteersWeek VHS's Roisin Hurst shares her experience about volunteering “I love volunteering so much. I get to spend time with an amazing gentleman, we go for walks and a coffee.... I really enjoy his company, so it’s a win-win!” Read it at tinyurl.com/463s5p8h

It's #VolunteersWeek. Such an important time to recognise the fantastic work being done by volunteers across the country. A big shout out to all our VHS members working with volunteers. #volunteersweek2025

We're sad to see her go, in just a few weeks, our amazing Events & Engagement Lead, @lauren-blair.bsky.social will be leaving VHS. Lauren has played a huge role in shaping our events programme and driving forward the CPG on Health Inequalities. We'll miss you. Read Lauren’s blog tinyurl.com/33hy9cb3

The VHS May e-Newsletter is out now. Packed with all our updates, events and member news. Read it at tinyurl.com/2ktf93xt

Session 3- Healing and Learning at #SCLWNConf25. We heard from Mark McAllister from @publichealthscot.bsky.social on a shift to prevention & Fiona Douglas, Health Promoting Health Service, NHS Lanarkshire on Trauma and Vicarious trauma - a really informative session and helpful tools shared.

#SCLWNConf25 is here. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone soon!