Would you like to host a DCP Conversation Café – On the Road?

The Digital Citizen Panel's monthly Conversation Cafe - Bring a Buddy has launched an 'On the Road' offer and is looking for hosts

The Digital Citizen Panel (DCP) was established in 2021, tasked with representing the voices of people with Lived Experience in the design and development of digital health and social care services in Scotland.

A DCP regular has been the monthly Conversation Café. This online Zoom meeting gives members a chance to hear how their contributions have lead to design improvement, make introductions across the networks, share tips and hints and spotlight projects or resources.

In our constant search for diverse engagement opportunities the Conversation café has successfully developed an ‘On the Road’ offer – working with local DCP members/their networks to host a Conversation Café at an accessible local venue.

We launched Conversation Café – On the Road inn 2025 at Red Chair Highland, Inverness. Operations Manager/DCP Manager Kirsty Adam, staff, volunteer and a local councillor joined in person while our regular café people joined via the usual Zoom link. It was a simple, safe and accessible set up which added some great value.

“Hosting the first Digital Conversation Café On The Road at Red Chair Highland, Inverness, was a genuinely uplifting experience, creating a valuable bridge between national conversations and local realities. The hybrid meeting was a welcoming space where Digital Citizens, local stakeholders and elected representatives could come together as equals to explore digital inclusion in a practical, grounded way. The conversations were open, honest and solution-focused, and we left feeling more connected and better equipped to support our communities. I would wholeheartedly encourage others to host.”

Kirsty Adam, Operations Manager, Red Chair Highland CIC

Starting life as an online network just after restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic the DCP initially drew 98 people together – many invited from the ALLIANCE Membership – from across many varied backgrounds. Their aim was to create space to develop joint work with programme partners, review how digital services were being developed and also to build peer support across the network.  Conversation Café on the Road gives us new opportunities for engagement including:

• In person introductions and follow up;
• spend short time as drop-in at the venue (digital awareness resources, device demos)
• Meet wider local teams to promote the ALLIANCE/Digital Hub in 2026

Five years on and the DCP has doubled, co-delivers community events and participaties in user research to improve digital health and care services. The Cafes on the Road are a great way to bring people together to learn, share and influence in comfortable spaces across Scotland.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the DCP or hosting a Café get in touch: Chigozie.joeadigwe@alliaace-scotland.org.uk.

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