How collaboration and community engagement have brought digital to the table in North Aberdeenshire

Maisie Peebles shares her experience working with Aberdeenshire Public Health Team on a ‘digital conversations’ project.

As part of Discover Digital, I have been working with Community Health Improvement Officers (CHIOs), in Aberdeenshire, to introduce digital to public health conversations.

What makes ‘digital conversations’ different?

Well, it’s a topic that can bring up barriers, fear and apprehension, so often needs a gentler, softer approach. I have been working with the CHIOs to build their knowledge, skills and confidence on trusted digital tools for health and wellbeing.

This has supported the CHIOs to demonstrate and explain three digital tools at community events, replicating the Discover Digital Roadshows I deliver across Scotland. Using this train-the-trainer approach meant they were able to independently deliver Roadshows that were tailored to their communities’ needs.  

The three tools were:

1. ORCHA app library – a library where you can find trusted apps for health and wellbeing.
2. Sleepio – an NHS supported app which is proven to support sleep and insomnia. Free for everyone in Scotland 18+.
3. The NHS Quit Smoking app – an NHS developed app designed to help people stop smoking for good.

The pilot ran from October 2025 – February 2026 with nine engagement sessions reaching approximately 154 people.

Do ‘digital conversations’ have a place in Aberdeenshire?

Digital deserves a seat at the public health table. It is so much more than just online shopping or social media, it opens the door to more choice, control and flexibility over health and wellbeing.

This project highlights how digital doesn’t belong as a separate conversation but should be embedded within public health conversations and community health roles in Aberdeenshire, and beyond.

In doing this, we need to make sure that people are included, and health inequalities are not made worse. Digital inclusion is everyone’s responsibility, and the project recognises this will take a collaborative effort from across Aberdeenshire.

Jill Smith, North Advanced Public Health Coordinator, “Working in partnership with the ALLIANCE has been instrumental in the success of this project. Together, we have demonstrated that people are interested in using digital tools to support their health and wellbeing. We are looking forward to building on this learning by sharing this approach with colleagues through the development of a Digital Awareness Session and an accessible Digital Toolkit, helping to embed digital conversations within routine health improvement and prevention activity.”

Fred Burnett, CHIO, “It was a privilege to speak with people about digital tools that can support health and wellbeing. We found that when trusted digital tools were introduced through supportive, person-centred conversations, many people were keen to explore them further. Busy venues helped raise awareness of the digital tools, while smaller group discussions allowed us to have more meaningful conversations. It was rewarding to see some people sign up to Sleepio on the day, while ORCHA gave people confidence to explore trusted apps.”

The team has set a brilliant example to their peers of meaningful digital engagement and laid the foundation for a new way to deliver public health. I am looking forward to supporting the next stage of this journey, so watch this public health space.

Learn more about the project and Discover Digital

Learn more about the project, learning and recommendations here.

Learn more about Discover Digital and the free opportunities it can bring to your organisation here.

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