10th September 2026
A joint statement on prevention: Where are we now for Scotland’s health and wellbeing?
Volunteer Scotland is pleased to have partnered with Voluntary Health Scotland, Scottish Community Development Centre (including CHEX), Edinburgh Community Health Forum, and the ALLIANCE to contribute to a joint statement on prevention.
The statement presents three urgent actions we believe are critical if the Scottish Government are to realise their Public Service Reform ambitions to address health inequalities and improve health outcomes. Volunteering and voluntary organisations are crucial social infrastructure which strengthen Scotland’s communities and provide a range of mental and physical health benefits which must be recognised as an essential part of prevention.
Action 1: We need a clear definition and understanding of prevention
There are definitions of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention set out in the Scottish Government’s “Defining Prevention” document, however we have concerns about the framing of primary prevention as focused on public service capacity as opposed to long-term health and wellbeing.
Action 2: We must put the hard-to-do parts of policy into practice
There are a varied range of policies in place, including the Population Health Framework and legislation laid down in the Programme for Government. Proper implementation is necessary to ensure we see deep rooted, positive outcomes in health and wellbeing across Scotland’s communities.
Action 3: We need a whole system approach with a properly resourced third sector
Scotland’s third sector continues to lose volunteers and staff due to funding shortfalls and insecure settlements. We must accelerate long term Fair Funding, enabling sustainable investment in people, services and organisations to help keep their doors open and lights on.
This statement arrives at the start of an important session of the Scottish Parliament, with the Scottish Government’s five-year Programme for Government being published last week and an increasing focus on prevention within Public Service Reform. Although there was little by means of new announcements relating to volunteering, there are several priorities laid out which could bring substantial change for the sector. The programme restates a commitment to a Partnership Agreement, co-designed with both Scottish Government and the third sector, and recognising the sector’s importance in delivering on society-wide priorities. It brings a sustained commitment to investment in third sector support services through the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund for Adults. There is also a more specific promise “to the development of a new multi-year funding model for specialist third sector services,” in the context of the NHS and health services.
Volunteer Scotland are also supportive of the Scottish Government’s live consultation towards the development of improvements to social prescribing across Scotland. Individuals are encouraged to submit responses here.
Volunteer Scotland are eager to raise the profile of volunteering in the Public Service Reform discussion and will be meeting with MSPs and Scottish Government ministers to discuss these issues.
Ewan Macleod
Policy Officer