VOX Update No 331
 
Women's Health Plan
The Women’s Health Plan set out by the Scottish Government underpins actions to improve women’s health inequalities by raising awareness around women’s health, improving access to health care and reducing inequalities in health outcomes for girls and women, both for sex-specific conditions and in women’s general health. Read it here.
 
National Lottery funding helps Scottish community groups begin COVID-19 recovery journey
Over £2.2m of National Lottery funding is today (THURSDAY 26 AUGUST) being shared by 103 community groups across Scotland. Many of the charities and voluntary organisations receiving awards will provide vital support and activities for people as they begin to meet up with others again post pandemic.
 
Diversity Week Fife 2021: Rebuilding Community
During Diversity Week Fife partners from the private, public and voluntary sectors work together to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of life in Fife. Diversity Week Fife aims to promote mutual appreciation and inclusiveness by highlighting and showcasing the many and varied communities and social interests in the region. Our theme for 2021 is “Rebuilding Community” – looking at recovering from the pandemic and how we can support each other moving into the “new normal”. Find out more here.
 
Training
Scottish Women's Aid: Working with Men and Boys to Challenge GBV, 11:00-13:00, 31st August 2021
Challenging gender-based violence requires all of us to take part in working for change. In this participative session, we’ll explore different entry points into working with men and boys to challenge gender-based violence, and what allyship means in practice. After the session you will have:

• Encreased understanding of what works in changing attitudes
• Increased knowledge in activities to use with boys and men you’re working with
• Enhanced understanding of practical allyship. More here.

• What is dementia?
• Understanding the brain and the signs and symptoms of dementia
• Diagnosis and support
• Communication
• Inclusion and stigma
• Prevention and living well with dementia
• Wellbeing and mood
• Creating enabling environments

Register and find out more here.
 
Understanding and managing anxiety: with Jan Montgomery
Tue, Oct12, 2021,10:30AM
This webinar will explore the natural experience of anxiety and what happens when our anxiety starts to interfere with our ability to function well. We will think about the effects of anxiety on the body and mind – how it impacts our thinking and our behaviour. We will then explore some of the techniques we can use to help us manage our anxiety in healthy ways that can restore balance to our lives. More here.
 
Help Shape AdvoCard's Future (Edinburgh Only) 
At AdvoCard, we want to do more to involve the people who use our services in the decisions we make about what we do and how we do it.
Between now and the end of 2021, we are going to be developing different ways for you to get involved and have your say.  This could include groups that you can take part in, surveys and more.  We would love to hear from you about how you would like to take part and give us your views.  We will be running a focus group online on Thursday 9th September, 2.30 - 4pm.  You can also let us know what you think over the phone or by email.  For more information, or to give us your views, please contact Becky becky@advocard.org.uk or 0131 554 5307
 
Scottish Mental Health Law Review: Third Interim Report
The third Interim Report has been published by the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.  You can read it here: https://www.mentalhealthlawreview.scot/workstreams/scottish-mental-health-law-review-interim-report-july-2021/
 
Becky Leach and Ben Baldock from AdvoCard have been taking part in the Capacity and Supported Decision-Making Advisory Group on the Scottish Mental Health Law Review.  There is some information in the report about the work of the advisory group.  You can also contact Becky to find out more about our input - becky@advocard.org.uk
 
Before it’s a Crisis
Here is a list of numbers you can phone for support when most services are closed. It is a good idea to keep these numbers where you can find them when you need support or help. Services such as Breathing Space and the Samaritans offer a listening service. Social Work and the NHS are more appropriate if you need more than this. Some services may not be available during the current pandemic.
 
NHS24 111 www.nhs24.com
 
Samaritans 116 123

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (Mon to Thurs 6pm - 2am)
(Fri to Mon 6pm - 6am)

Cruse Bereavement Care 0845 600 2227 www.crusebereavement.org.uk

Saneline 0300 304 7000

Beat (Formerly Eating Disorders Association) Helpline 0345 634 1414, Youth line 0345 634 7650

LGBT  Our LGBT Helpline Scotland (phone, email, LiveChat) operates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12-9pm), with extended phone support on Thursdays (12-6pm) and soon Sunday (12-6pm). The telephone number is 0300 123 2523 they can also be contacted by e-mail or LiveChat Messenger at https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/helpline/ “We are still here for you - we have suspended face to face services and events, but we are not stopping our work!” You’ll find an update about LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s services here: LGBT Health Coronavirus: Information and Service updates All our staff are now home working and we can all be reached on our work emails: name@lgbthealth.org.uk

Emergency Social Work Service 0800 731 6969 (out of hours only)

Alzheimer’s Scotland 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline on
0808 808 3000 or contact the E-Helpline at helpline@alzscot.org

LGBT Youth Scotland.org.uk

Ayrshire out of Hours Service free phone number is 0800 328 7758
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk

Brothers in Arms was launched as an awareness-raising website to represent men in Scotland and to start the conversation about male suicide, the single biggest killer of men in the UK under the age of 45. info@brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk
 
Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
0800 027 1234 (24-hour service)
Provides confidential information and support to anyone affected by forced marriage or domestic abuse.
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
 
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline
Phone: 0300 999 5428 or 0800 999 5428
Provides help and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline