Health & Care
There is much more to health & wellbeing than statutory services, and the third sector plays a major part on a community level.
Midlothian Community Action contributes to the Midlothian Community Planning Partnership, working closely with the Midlothian Integration Joint Board (IJB) and Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP). The vision in Midlothian is that by working together as a Community Planning Partnership, people and communities will be able to live healthier, safer, and greener lives by 2030.
MCA contributes towards reduction of inequalities, promotion of preventative projects and early intervention approaches, and helps increase influence in decision making amongst communities.
MCA promotes volunteering opportunities with a strong focus on social and green prescribing.
A Green Social Prescription is a way to improve your health and wellbeing by connecting with nature and the outdoors. Your healthcare provider (for example your GP, physiotherapist, or pharmacist) may recommend spending time outdoors as part of your care. This could include:
- Joining local nature-based groups
- Trying specific outdoor activities
- Receiving referrals to community or wellbeing professionals for additional support
For more information please check the Midspace website.
Midlothian Integration Joint Board (IJB)
The Midlothian IJB are a planning and decision-making body responsible for over 60 NHS Lothian and Midlothian Council services delegated to them.
MCA and the IJB work together in line with the Joint Working Agreement. MCA’s Third Sector Representative, Magdalena Clark, sits on the Board and is Vice-Chair of the Strategic Planning Group.
To view any IJB meeting papers or agendas, visit the IJB webpage on the Midlothian Council website and select the relevant meeting date. View and download IJB strategic documents, reports, and more from their website.
Feedback from third sector organisations is welcome and encouraged, please contact magdalena.clark@mca.scot with any comments. This is to ensure the strong independent voice for the Third Sector within strategic forums on:
- the Third Sectors’ priorities;
- feedback on key Midlothian IJB planning and activity;
- to share Third Sector contributions to improve the health and wellbeing of the people and communities of Midlothian
Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP)
The Midlothian HSCP are governed by the Midlothian IJB, their role is to plan and direct services that are delegated to them. The HSCP don’t directly employ or run any services, these services are delivered by others working in partnership – NHS Lothian, Midlothian Council, Third sector and Independent organisations, and unpaid carers.
Midlothian HSCP leads the ‘Midlothian will be Healthier’ priority within the Community Planning Partnership Plan.
The HSCP also works with MCA on programmes such as the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund and wider engagement and participation activity, such as the Third Sector Summit.
Midlothian Third Sector Summit
The Third Sector Summit brings together HSCP staff and third sector organisations to:
- strengthen equal partnership working
- share practice and insights
- explore challenges and opportunities
- support collaborative approaches to improving health & wellbeing
Since 2018 the Third Sector Summit has helped build relationships and shape joint solutions. Plans to develop a more interactive format for future gatherings are underway.
The Spring 2025 Third Sector Summit focused on the financial challenges facing the third sector and HSCP, and offered valuable insights into the future landscape of service provision within the third sector. View the Spring 2025 Third Sector Summit report, action plan, and terms of reference below.
Autumn 2025 TSS Action Log to follow.
Upcoming Third Sector Summits:
Third Sector Summit – May 2026
14 May, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Third Sector Health & Care Newsletter
MCA publish a newsletter to improve information sharing between third sector health and care orientated organisations, community groups, and HSCP. This also ensures Third Sector’s engagement with the planned HSCP Transformation and Change Programme Board priorities, and the Transformation Plan.
Download previous editions of the Third Sector Health & Care Newsletter below:
Relevant Links
Power of Attorney Awareness Day
Forward Mid – Midlothian Directory for Disabled People and People with Long Term Health Conditions
Midlothian Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund
What if everyone stopped volunteering? UK Report (2025) – Works4U