@VHSComms profile picture
Voluntary Health Scotland @VHSComms

The national network for Scotland's voluntary health organisations. Working for a healthier, fairer Scotland served by a thriving voluntary health sector.

Joined May 2012
  • Tweets 6,848
  • Following 1,885
  • Followers 4,662
1,683 Photos and videos
This Volunteers’ Week we’re celebrating the wellbeing benefits of volunteering. In 2025, VHS Member Volunteer Scotland published research showing that the wellbeing benefits of weekly volunteering have a monetary value of about £1000 per person, per year! bit.ly/4dWF7Rc
1
4
99
Today we published our response to the Scottish Government consultation on the implementation of the right to breaks for unpaid carers. Read more here: bit.ly/4doWICq
Graphic saying 'Policy Publication' with the VHS logo

ALT Graphic saying 'Policy Publication' with the VHS logo
57
Voluntary Health Scotland retweeted
Third Force News@ThirdForceNews
May 19
New research from Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) reveals that gender inequalities in Scotland’s health system are leaving many people feeling "invisible", with one research participant describing this as "institutional gaslighting" tfn.scot/news/invisible-in-t…

“Invisible” in the health system: new report exposes gender inequalities in Scotland - TFN

Voluntary Health Scotland published the report on Tuesday

tfn.scot
1
1
90
Our (IN)VISIBLE report is now LIVE! The report analyses evidence from 50 VHS members and wider stakeholders, as well as national and academic sources, to identify key themes on the relationship between sex, gender and health. Read now: vhscotland.org.uk/vhs-invisi…
A graphic saying ‘(IN)VISIBLE: Health, Sex, and Gender Inequalities – Insights from Scotland’s Third Sector’, and the words ‘Report now live’. It also includes the VHS Logo.

ALT A graphic saying ‘(IN)VISIBLE: Health, Sex, and Gender Inequalities – Insights from Scotland’s Third Sector’, and the words ‘Report now live’. It also includes the VHS Logo.

103
Our (IN)VISIBLE Report exploring the relationship between sex, gender, and health is launching this afternoon at 2pm! 👀 Keep an eye on our website and social channels for more information.
A graphic saying ‘(IN)VISIBLE: Health, Sex, and Gender Inequalities – Insights from Scotland’s Third Sector’, and the words ‘Launching Today!’. It also includes the VHS Logo

ALT A graphic saying ‘(IN)VISIBLE: Health, Sex, and Gender Inequalities – Insights from Scotland’s Third Sector’, and the words ‘Launching Today!’. It also includes the VHS Logo
1
1
480
Earlier this week we sent an Open Letter to all MSPs urging them to prioritise health creation, health equity, and the right to health. So far, 5 MSPs have responded from a range of political parties. vhscotland.org.uk/movement-f…
A graphic saying ‘Movement for Health Creation’

ALT A graphic saying ‘Movement for Health Creation’
49
Today we sent an open letter, signed by 79 VHS members, to all new and returning MSPs elected last week. The letter calls on MSPs to prioritise health creation and take action to address health inequalities. Read more here: vhscotland.org.uk/movement-f…
A graphic saying 'Movement for Health Creation Open Letter'.

ALT A graphic saying 'Movement for Health Creation Open Letter'.
64
Voluntary Health Scotland retweeted
Third Force News@ThirdForceNews
May 10
TFN is @scvotweet's magazine for the #VoluntarySector This month @VHSComms chair Christine Carlin meets veteran #Home-Start volunteer Angela Gowdy BEM who has devoted decades to improving the lives of babies and children Available to read and enjoy here: okt.to/5cCeAy
1
2
107
Congratulations to Scotland's new and returning MSPs! We look forward to engaging proactively in the weeks, months, and years to come. The future health of Scotland’s people is in our hands. Read more in our Manifesto for Health Creation: bit.ly/4wgSaW1
72
Election day is here, and it is your LAST CHANCE to sign our Movement for Health Creation Open Letter if you are a VHS member! Together our voices are stronger, sign up by 5pm today. vhscotland.org.uk/sign-our-o…
A graphic showing the cover of the VHS manifesto, and a list of the manifesto asks: Create a Prevention-Centred Health System Prioritise Health Equity and the Right to Health Establish Third Sector Parity Improve Health Measures and Datasets it also features a call to VHS members to sign their open letter, plus a QR code.

ALT A graphic showing the cover of the VHS manifesto, and a list of the manifesto asks: Create a Prevention-Centred Health System Prioritise Health Equity and the Right to Health Establish Third Sector Parity Improve Health Measures and Datasets it also features a call to VHS members to sign their open letter, plus a QR code.

37
Voluntary Health Scotland retweeted
Third Force News@ThirdForceNews
Apr 28
TFN is @scvotweet's magazine for the #VoluntarySector This month @VHSComms chair Christine Carlin meets veteran #Home-Start volunteer Angela Gowdy BEM who has devoted decades to improving the lives of babies and children Available to read and enjoy here: okt.to/mg5rMt
1
54
In our latest blog, Policy and Public Affairs Lead, Sarah Latto, reflects on how the manifestos of Scotland’s six main political parties stack up against the VHS Manifesto for Health Creation. bit.ly/4cHz9mC
44
Check out our exciting upcoming events: ⚧️(IN)VISIBLE Gender and Health research launch - May 19th 1-2. 📊Accessing 2022 Scottish Census Data with @NatRecordsScot - May 26th 10-11.30. 📢Anti-Racism Guidance workshop with CEMVO - June 9th, 1-3.30. vhscotland.org.uk/events/
46
Yesterday we submitted our response to the @scotgov call for views on the National Performance Framework. We recommend an outcome focused on rights and equity, and wider consultation when developing the National Indicators. Read our full response here: bit.ly/4tvVcUi
A graphic with the VHS logo and the words 'Policy Publication'.

ALT A graphic with the VHS logo and the words 'Policy Publication'.
1
26
The Scottish Parliament election is just 5 weeks away and yesterday we hosted a joint hustings event with @ALLIANCEScot featuring reps from all six of the main political parties. Find out what they said about health, prevention and the third sector: bit.ly/47yZZvC
1
1
58
There's still time to sign-up for our Joint Hustings tomorrow! Join us and @ALLIANCEScot as we ask questions to candidates about the important issues facing the Third Sector. Register here: bit.ly/4tHkFLv

Prevention and Power: Holyrood, Health and the Third Sector

The Health and Social Care Alliance (The ALLIANCE) and VHS have joined forces to bring you this important pre-Election online hustings event.

events.humanitix.com
55
Join VHS and The ALLIANCE on March 31st for our Joint Hustings event! Hear representatives share their Party’s approaches for addressing health inequalities and safeguarding the important role of the third sector. Sign up now! bit.ly/4tHkFLv
2
1
50
With the Scottish Parliament election rapidly approaching, we've developed a handy Election 2026 Toolkit! You'll find social media graphics, letter templates, and links to ensure you're campaigning safely and legally. Check it out! bit.ly/4kGvkSi
58
We are delighted that @scotgov has pledged to develop a formal agreement with the third sector. This commitment reflects calls for third sector parity detailed in our Manifesto for Health Creation launched in October 2025. Full response here: bit.ly/3MkKoZc
A graphic sharing this quote from Tejesh Mistry, Chief Executive of Voluntary Health Scotland: “This pledge is welcome progress in recognising the vital role of Scotland’s Third Sector, and in ensuring that our communities continue to receive the support they deserve to live healthier and happier lives. We look forward to ensuring that the needs, views and experiences of our 270 member organisations are reflected in the agreement should this commence in the next parliamentary term. We will continue to champion the need for formal partnerships between the Third Sector and other public sector bodies as we collaborate to create health.”

ALT A graphic sharing this quote from Tejesh Mistry, Chief Executive of Voluntary Health Scotland: “This pledge is welcome progress in recognising the vital role of Scotland’s Third Sector, and in ensuring that our communities continue to receive the support they deserve to live healthier and happier lives. We look forward to ensuring that the needs, views and experiences of our 270 member organisations are reflected in the agreement should this commence in the next parliamentary term. We will continue to champion the need for formal partnerships between the Third Sector and other public sector bodies as we collaborate to create health.”
1
85
We're so proud to share our 2025 Impact Report! We had a busy year and a big thank you is due to all of our members - your contributions strengthen our community and play a vital role in everything we do. If you're not yet a member, join us: bit.ly/4a49wet
2
6
256
Load more