“Welcome to the first Digital Digest of 2026. This year carries special significance, as it marks the 20th anniversary of the formation of the ALLIANCE. It is striking to consider how much has changed in those 20 years, especially through the lens of digital health and social care.
Keep your eyes on forthcoming editions of this Digest for details of celebratory events throughout the year. Included this month is details about the 20th anniversary annual conference, taking place on 23 March in Glasgow.
Other items this time include information about Third Sector Lab’s Digital Trustee programme and the Digital Poverty Alliance’s Inquiry on the impact of digital exclusion on health. You will also read 2025 round ups from ALISS and the Digital Health and Social Care programme.
I hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to future editions.”
News
Digital Health and Social Care 2025 Roundup
In 2025, the Digital Health and Social Care programme delivered a range of impactful activities that strengthened digital inclusion, promoted human rights in digital services, and amplified the voices of people shaping Scotland’s digital health landscape.
In 2025, the ALISS programme published a refreshed strategy for the period 2025 to 2028. In working towards its strategic goals, the ALISS team have continued to progress with the implementation of a product roadmap.
In Decemeber, we shared 5 tools and apps to help manage your health and wellbeing:
GriefChat – Access immediate bereavement support from a counsellor on live chat.
NHS Aging Well – an NHS supported app that helps with brain health and aging well.
Daylight – An app that supports people with stress and anxiety that builds you a tailored programme, teaching you tools and techniques to manage stress.
Tellmi – An award-winning app that provides mental health support where you can anonymously speak to people who are going through similar issues.
Ask Silver – A free scam checker tool. It allows you to send photos and screenshots of potential scams to the tool. It will then check these and give you advice and tips on how to proceed.
Discover Digital Roadshow and Workshops - taking bookings for 2026!
The Discover Digital project is taking bookings for its two biggest and (and free!) opportunities: the Discover Digital Roadshows and the Discover Digital Workshops.
Since 2023, the project has delivered nearly 50 Roadshows and Workshops across Scotland.
The Roadshows are a great opportunity to go along to community events and showcase free and trusted tools health and wellbeing. So, if you have any community events planned for 2026, and you would like the team to come along, email dhcscot@alliance-scotland.org.uk or call 0141 404 0231.
The Workshops are aimed at staff and volunteers in the third sector and health and social care. The training sessions, both online and in person, include information on free and trusted digital tools and resources for health and wellbeing. These sessions are tailored and co-designed with the organisation that the training is delivered to.
Bookings are also open for 2026! So, if you would like to empower your staff or volunteers with a session, email dhcscot@alliance-scotland.org.uk or call 0141 404 0231.
The Digital Poverty Alliance is conducting a UK-wide Inquiry on the impact of digital exclusion on health
Your input will inform our 2026 report to the UK Government (date/month), shaping recommendations to make health services more inclusive and accessible for everyone. The DPA will feedback developments to Scottish participants through the ALLIANCE engagement channels later in the year.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) offers two checkups to assess your digital skills. One to measure your digital 'life skills', these are skills that you need for everyday online life. The second measures your digital 'work skills', these are the skills that you need to effectively to your job.
The checkups take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and the results will be emailed to you if you chose. Additionally, if you have requested more information on certain topics, this will also be emailed to you. Why not take the checkup today and see if you have any gaps!
Digital inclusion for health and social care: National learning exchange workshops
Designed for staff across health, social care, and related sectors, these workshops provide practical insights to help embed digital equity. Hosted by Digital Health and Care Scotland, Tara French Consulting, Mhor Collective and SCVO.
The Digital Citizen Panel MyCare.scot Working Group 21 January
The ALLIANCE’s Digital Citizen Panel (DCP) has been engaging with this initiative for over three years and were excited to get a preview of the resource/application in December 2025. Dermatology services (skin conditions) in Lanarkshire are using the app with patients able to view personal details, name, address, date of birth and CHI Number as well as part of medicines and hospitals appointments.
We’re now planning further engagement in 2026 and we’d like to invite you to join the DCP MyCare.scot Working Group to continue influencing this resource as it evolves. Our first meeting will be online on Wednesday 21 January 10.30-12.00pm where we’ll set our terms of reference, 2026 meeting schedule and session format/content.
We’ll be focussing on various aspects of the resource including accessibility, proxy access and public awareness as it rolls out across Scotland. There will be a chance to influence some of this through involvement with the working group.
This Working Group will be for DCP members only. It’s easy to join and you’ll get the benefit of staying abreast of other digital health and care work the DCP is involved in. The DCP is a small but growing network representing a broad church of people with Lived Experience, digital inclusion strategic leads, community groups and academic researchers to name a few.
If you’re interested in taking part you can email Gozie chigozie.joeadigwe@alliance-scotland.org.uk for more information.
Digital Health and Care Scotland 2026 16 & 17 February
Scotland’s leading Digital Health and Care conference returns to Edinburgh on the 10th and 11th February 2026 for its 17th consecutive year. Registration is now open.
How can we turn hope into action and create a future where everyone can live well, with dignity and respect? The ALLIANCE Annual Conference 2026, Hope to Action, invites you to reflect on how far we’ve come while recognising that challenges remain and now is the time to turn our shared hope into positive and collective action. In celebration of the ALLIANCE’s 20th anniversary, the day will look back at the last 20 years and build upon this to create progress that is both intentional, sustainable and centred on lived experience.
Digital Trustees: Human Rights at the Heart of Governance
In health and social care, digital is about more than just software - it’s about people, access, and equity. A Digital Trustee provides the strategic vision needed to ensure your technology remains person-centred and inclusive.
By adding digital expertise to your board, you can better navigate challenges like digital exclusion and data ethics, ensuring your organisation’s governance remains as compassionate and rights-based as the support you provide.
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Digital Digest - January 2026 - Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
