After a busy year of events and engagement we're wrapping up for the holidays here at VHS. Thanks to all our members and stakeholders for your support this year. We will be closed from Friday 19th December until Monday 5th January. Wishing you all a happy holiday season!

Following the publication of the @auditscotland.bsky.social 2025 report into NHS Scotland finance and performance last week, we have reflected on the urgent need for a shift to prevention in Scotland's health service. Read our full reflections here: bit.ly/4rLIcK6

The Scottish Forum on Isolation and Loneliness has launched a manifesto, signed by VHS, calling on the next Scottish Government to make tackling loneliness a national priority. Read more here: bit.ly/4izC6s5

Today we submitted our response to the Scottish Government consultation on a new NHS Delivery Organisation. We welcome the commitment to systemic change, but reflect on how the proposed new body should reinforce commitments to prevention and health equity. Read more: bit.ly/43QEgxm

Today we have published a statement in response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report published last week, reflecting on calls in the report for better data on health inequalities - a key ask in our Manifesto for Health Creation. Read our statement here: bit.ly/3Kkst3E

Unpaid carers in Scotland experience significant health inequalities. This Carers Rights Day, we want to showcase the ask in our Manifesto for Health Creation to protect the right to health of carers by removing barriers and improving support. bit.ly/3McEFUH

**VHS AGM Event** Join us as we showcase third sector organisations as a unique and under-utilised source of health data at our Online AGM event on November 27th. Everything you need to know about the VHS AGM is available on our website at tinyurl.com/mpb42h65

The November VHS e-Newsletter is out now! Packed with all our news, events and member updates. Read it at tinyurl.com/wpkyj9d2

Applications Close Today! VHS is seeking two passionate individuals to join our Board. If you're ready to help shape a healthier Scotland & make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. Elections will take place at our AGM on 27 November. Apply at tinyurl.com/34mdtpcr

VHS Online Event-Insight to Impact:Third Sector Data as a Catalyst for Change. Join us at our AGM event, November 27th at 10 am, as we spotlight the third sector as a powerful, yet under-utilised source of health data. This event will include a short AGM meeting. Visit tinyurl.com/y4kt97zs

**Applications Close November 5th** VHS is looking for two new trustees to join our Board, with elections taking place at our AGM on 27 November 2025. If you'd like to make a meaningful impact and help shape a healthier Scotland, we’d love to hear from you. Find out more tinyurl.com/34mdtpcr

To celebrate befriending week, VHS is pleased to share a member blog from @befriending.co.uk CEO Susan Hunter. Susan's blog highlights the critical role of befriending in health creation through prevention, early intervention, and meaningful social connection. Read it at tinyurl.com/4zbu2c7e

@bsky.app Today we published our response to the Scottish Government consultation on quality prescribing for chronic pain, focusing specifically on the benefits of social prescribing for treating chronic pain. Read more here: vhscotland.org.uk/vhs-response...

Pleased to share the results of our Scottish Community Link Worker Network 2025 survey. Some really interesting findings about the vital role of CLWs in Scotland. View more at tinyurl.com/yc48e3hx

Congratulations to @alliancescot.bsky.social the winner of the VHS Annual Poster Competition 2025. View their winning poster and all the fantastic entries at vhscotland.org.uk/vhs-poster-c... #VHSConf25

A fantastic post lunch energiser from VHS member Weekday Wow. What a way to get moving after lunch and networking. #VHSConf25 #CollaborationForChange Thanks for supporting our Annual Conference in Glasgow today.

"The key to collaborative working is making everyone feel like they are winning." A fascinating session with Prof. Devi Sridhar at #VHSConf25. Thanks for supporting our Annual Conference "Collaboration for Change" @uoe-sps.bsky.social @tejeshm.bsky.social

Delighted to welcome @publichealthscot.bsky.social as our Collaboration Partner for #VHSConf25. Thanks for supporting our event. #CollaborationForChange. It's been a fantastic day so far.

Excited to see all the brilliant posters on display for our Annual Conference Poster Competition at #VHSConf25. Don't forget to vote!

It's buzzing in our Health Creation Hub at #VHSConf25 in Glasgow. Some brilliant organisations showcasing their services. Drop by and say hi.

The VHS team can't wait to welcome everyone to #VHSConf25. It's going to be a great day! See you soon.

Another great read from VHS Chair Christine Carlin on the importance of accessible transport for all. #AccessibleTravel #healthinequalities

Exhibitor Spotlight. In her blog, Emma Abbott from Charity Finance Group shares her insights from a recent partnership between the charity sector and major UK banks, highlighting what it takes to move from conversation to meaningful collaboration. Read it at tinyurl.com/mrxdz47s

VHS are pleased to showcase some fantastic exhibitors to the Health Creation Hub at our Annual Conference tomorrow, including Goodmoves. Read Mairi's Blog about communicating outside the 'third sector bubble' tinyurl.com/4jr85c55 @goodmovesjobs.bsky.social @scvo.scot

VHS is looking forward to welcoming everyone to our Annual Conference 'Collaboration for Change' tomorrow in Glasgow. We have some fantastic exhibitors at our first ever Health Creation Hub. Make sure you stop by and say hi! It's going to be a great day.

Alongside our many members, Voluntary Health Scotland supports the Scotland Demands Better campaign, led by @povertyalliance.org, Saturday is going to be a landmark day. #ScotlandDemandsBetter

Delighted to share 'Pauline's Blog: Innovation at PHS – Turning Ambition into Action for a Healthier Scotland'. Please pop by and say hi to the @publichealthscot.bsky.social team next Tuesday at our Health Creation Hub at #VHSConf25 tinyurl.com/5dat55tw

Excited to spotlight @copescotland.bsky.social a finalist in our poster competition! Their work will feature at our Annual Conference next week. In her blog, Hilda shares insights from 30+ years in the third sector—exploring workforce wellbeing in uncertain times. Read it at tinyurl.com/vpxv79nf

Voluntary Health Scotland is recruiting two new trustees to join our Board. Help us tackle health inequalities and shape a healthier Scotland. Trustees will be elected at our AGM on 27 November. Find out more and get involved tinyurl.com/34mdtpcr

We have launched our Manifesto for Health Creation! We're calling for a prevention-first health system that puts people and communities at the heart of decision-making. We also call for health equity, and parity for the third sector. Read it at bit.ly/4nDmRAe

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.