Reflecting on 20 years of strategic partnerships, external affairs and outreach

Dr Irene Oldfather reflects on two decades of growth, collaboration, and person centred impact across Scotland and beyond.

As we celebrate 20 years of the ALLIANCE, I want to shine a light on the work of the Strategic Partnerships, External Affairs and Outreach team, which has helped the ALLIANCE grow into a strong national voice for lived experience, co‑production and person centred change. 

Over the past 20 years, our team has focused on bringing people to together and amplifying lived experience; ensuring that people and communities help shape policy and practice across Scotland. Through building strong partnerships and creating opportunities for collaboration, we have helped to strengthen the ALLIANCE’s role as a trusted advocate, in Scotland and Europe, for people’s rights and experiences within health and social care.

A defining early milestone was the Charter of Rights for People with Dementia and their Carers, developed through the Cross‑Party Group on Alzheimer’s and shaped by over 500 voices. The Charter helped shift attitudes, challenge stigma and embed dignity, participation and accountability into national policy. It laid the groundwork for later rights‑based initiatives, including the Charter of Rights for People Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, and continues to influence how we approach partnership and advocacy today. 

As the organisation grew, so did the scope of our partnerships. By working alongside communities, third sector organisations, public bodies and decision-makers, we’ve helped create space for voices that are often unheard and ensured their experiences contribute to meaningful change. Our work with women affected by pelvic mesh complications became a powerful example of lived experience shaping national policy. Through My Path, My Health, My Life, we brought together the experiences of 152 women, ensuring their insights informed the development of the National Complex Mesh Surgical Service. Their calls for clearer pathways and peer support continue to guide our work today. 

Our collaboration with partners in Tayside on mental health strengthened local voices and contributed to improvements in care and accountability. During COVID‑19, we led creative, community‑driven campaigns such as Message in a Bottle, helping people stay connected and supported during a time of profound isolation. Alongside this, our work on sustainable prescribing and vaccination engagement helped shape national conversations on access, equity and public health. 

Partnerships have always been at the heart of our approach. Initiatives like In Good Faith, developed with the Joint Improvement Team, showcased how faith communities contribute to wellbeing and connectedness across Scotland. Our Concert for Caring events celebrated the immeasurable contribution of unpaid carers, health and social care staff and third‑sector partners, shaped by our National Lead for Person Centered Voices, Tommy Whitelaw’s belief in the power of music to comfort and connect. 

I was privileged to be shortlisted for the Leadership Award at the 2023 Scottish Public Service Awards, and honoured to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Strathclyde. Alongside this, the Scottish Advisory Forum on Europe was awarded the EmpowerEU Award in the ‘Inspiring European Connections’ category. These acknowledgements reflect the collective effort of our team and partners over many years, and the shared commitment that has shaped our work.  

As we mark 20 years of the ALLIANCE, we celebrate the partnerships, voices and communities that have shaped our work – and continue to drive person‑centred change across Scotland. 

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