From hope to action
- Written by: Sara Redmond — Chief Officer
- Published: 4th June 2026
ALLIANCE Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, reflects on our Annual Conference 2026 and how we're turning hope into action.
This year the ALLIANCE’s annual conference felt different. We marked 20 years of the ALLIANCE with nearly 300 people there. It wasn’t a cause for celebration: our alliance and our collective voice is needed more than ever. It was a space to pause, to take in the scale and breadth of the work that has been done in the past 20 years. When you work in the thick of things you don’t always get the chance to pause. The conference gave us that space to step back and see the bigger picture.
We chose the theme Hope into Action deliberately. Hope, in my experience, is not a soft or passive feeling. It’s something you insist on, especially when the landscape is difficult. And right now, it is more difficult than ever. Budgets are tight, needs are rising, and the tone of public debate is more divisive. Amid that hope is what keeps us focused on people’s rights, dignity and inclusion.
It’s what pushes us to act, not just observe.
The day was full of moments to remind me why this work matters. Hearing from young people about the democratic spaces they want to shape. Listening to members speak honestly about the pressures they face. Watching creative workshops open conversations that don’t always find room in formal settings. And seeing the Deafblind Scotland BSL Choir close the day with such power and presence; a reminder of what inclusion looks and feels like.
Our conference report captures the key takeaways from the day; the centrality of human rights, the need to challenge harmful narratives, the urgency of tackling health inequalities, and the importance of looking ahead with clarity and courage. It also reflects how much we value our members; the people who have shaped the ALLIANCE from day one, who have joined us along the way, and continue to guide our direction.
I want to thank everyone who joined us, contributed, facilitated, photographed, illustrated and supported the day. It was a celebration not only of the ALLIANCE’s 20 years, but of the wider third sector that continues to hold communities together and ensure the voice of lived experience is heard.
We’re also delighted to share a short video capturing the atmosphere of the day; the conversations, the energy, and the thoughtful feedback from delegates. I hope it offers a glimpse of the collective spirit that continues to drive us.
Here’s to the next chapter, and to turning hope into action, together.
View our Annual Conference 2026 report and video here.
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