Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland

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raises awareness of free and trusted apps and resources that help people improve and manage their health and wellbeing. This month we are excited to share four different apps, tools and resources:

Sleepio - is an app that is clinically proven to help people with sleep problems. More information - https://ow.ly/HbKn50YV5nk

AVA - is a chatbot that will provide you with general information about arthritis and how to manage your symptoms. More information - https://ow.ly/2gjm50YV5ni

NHS Quit Smoking app - an app to help you stop smoking, you can track your progress, how much you have saved and receive daily support. More information - https://ow.ly/1wIj50YV5nn

R U OK? – an NHS Lothian website which gives advice and support to young people on how they are feeling (e.g. fine, anxious, sad, worried…). More information - https://ow.ly/1mOm50YV5nm

Tried one of these tools? Comment on this post or email at [email protected] with your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you!

If you would like to learn about more digital tools, give our resource guide a read - https://ow.ly/JMS750YV5nl

This initiative is part of the Discover Digital project at the ALLIANCE, more information - https://ow.ly/Ifjh50YV5nj

Did you know there is a dedicated Digital newsletter?

Digital Digest is the monthly bulletin from the Digital Team bringing you the latest news, events and opportunities – perfect for anyone working in or interested in Digital Health and Social Care.

You can sign up here: https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/digital/digital-health-and-care/

Today we attended the Healing Arts Scotland Glasgow Day.

A day filled with engaging performances, insightful keynote speeches and thought provoking panel sessions.

As a partner of the Healing Arts Festival Scotland, we were encouraged to see so many people gathered to celebrate the arts, foster genuine connections and looking at how we can improve health and wellbeing in Scotland.

From chronic pain and community football to nature prescribing, the ALLIANCE’s Connected Communities series aims to showcase how working together supports people and communities.

Brought to life by the ALLIANCE’s Integration Team, the series reflects the diverse range of areas covered by third sector organisations in Scotland.

To read more, and find out how to get involved, visit:

Connected Communities Anthology - Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland The autism think tank Autistic Knowledge Development is the epitome of “it’s not about us, without us.”   Led entirely by autistic people its aim is to bring more autistic people to the forefront of anything related to them and to improve the life opportunities of autistic people. U...

Adding to our long history of championing Scotland’s self management community, we’re stepping into a new chapter.

From July, our team will be dedicating its full attention to managing the Self Management Fund, as well as gathering evidence and sharing learning from organisations supported by the Fund. The aim of this refocus is to strengthen prevention and to amplify what works. We want to evolve our focus to go deeper, not wider.

This means we’ll be stepping back from hosting Self Management Network Scotland, Self Management Week and the Self Management Awards. These spaces have been powerful and energising, and we’re proud of everything they’ve helped spark and the community that they have built.

We’re also concluding Self Management Reflective Practice sessions. The learning gathered across years of delivery is being pulled together and will be shared soon so it continues to support practice across Scotland.

There are still ways to be involved in our work. Read here to find out more: https://ow.ly/C6Hl50Zcix4

This next chapter is about focus, evidence and impact. It’s about strengthening the future of self management in Scotland - and we’re stepping into it with optimism and gratitude for everyone who’s been part of the journey so far.

Refocusing for greater impact: The next step for self management in Scotland - Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland Read on to find out about some upcoming changes to the ALLIANCE Self Management Programme. Self management is a vital component of a healthy life. It is way of living and working that allows people to feel more in control of their own health and wellbeing. The Self Management Fund allows us to help....

At a time when services are stretched and staff wellbeing is under real strain, the question “What matters to you?” feels more important than ever.

Over the past 18 months, thousands of nurses and midwives have taken part in Tommy Whitelaw’s sessions on person centred care. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive; not just about the learning, but about the sense of recognition and connection they felt.

Two things consistently made a “good day at work”:
• feeling valued and respected
• feeling connected to others

Tommy’s sessions deliver both. They remind staff of the difference they make, and why their work matters.

As we mark What Matters To You? Day 2026, we’re celebrating the people who keep compassion at the centre of care and the approaches that help them thrive. Read Barbara’s reflections on the process of analysing feedback from Tommy’s sessions: https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/blog/opinion/what-matters-to-you-the-powerful-question-at-the-heart-of-person-centred-care/

Do you want to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of your communications?

Disability Equality Scotland's Training team have some upcoming events. These are delivered online and open to all.

There is a free webinar on spoken inclusive and accessible language on Tuesday 16 June. Book your free place for the Spoken Inclusive and Accessible Language webinar here: https://ow.ly/GQh550Z9NMu

There are also 2 paid training deliveries, for anybody looking for professional development around inclusive and accessible communication.

The first is the Inclusive Communication Awareness Workshop – a single session with lots of examples of how small changes can make a big difference.

There is also the Easy Read training course, delivered over 2 half-day sessions. This training gives participants the technical and linguistic skills they need to start producing Easy Read documents, and includes a follow-up expert review of their first document.

For dates, details, and to make a booking, please see our website: https://disabilityequality.scot/easy-read-training/ or email [email protected].

Gambling is becoming harder to avoid. And nowhere is this more visible than the beating heart of sport; football. So with the World Cup upon us, if you, or someone you love, is affected by gambling, here are some places to ask for support.

RCA Trust offers free one to one counselling to support people experiencing gambling harm and those affected by someone else's gambling. You can contact them on 0141 887 0880 or [email protected].

GamCare offer a free 24/7 phone line and messaging service which you can contact for support 08088020133 or via WhatsApp on +44 808 802 0133.

You can find out more about the ALLIANCE's Scotland Reducing Gambling Harm programme here: https://ow.ly/QK8b50Zbiys

What if creativity could play a vital role in improving health, wellbeing, and preventing future illness?

Healing Arts Scotland Week 2026 explores exactly that, and the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland is proud to support the upcoming Glasgow Day.

Taking place on Friday 19 June, this inspiring event is led by Healing Arts Scotland Leadership and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). Tickets are still available for Glasgow Day and events across the week.

Delivered with partners including Glasgow.Life, Scottish Ballet, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Voluntary Health Scotland and Scottish Opera, Glasgow Day brings together voices from health, social care and the arts.

Expect powerful discussions, live performances, and opportunities to connect with professionals and leaders from across the UK and beyond - all passionate about the transformative power of the arts.

Hear from leading speakers including:

• Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive Officer, National Academy for Social Prescribing
• Katie Duffy, Head of Arts and Music, Glasgow Life
• Professor Sir Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer Scotland
• Jill Sonke, Research Director, Center for Arts in Medicine, University of Florida
• Nisha Sajnani, Founding Director of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, Professor Drama Therapy NYU
• Nils Fietje, Founding Director, Jameel Arts & Health Lab & Technical Officer: Culture and Health, World Health Organization
• Manira Ahmed, Chief Officer at Public Health Scotland
• Yazmany Arboleda, People’s Artist, Civic Engagement Commission, New York
• Sonia Sabri OBE, UK senior cultural leader, choreographer, and international performer

The HAS Glasgow Day tickets are on sale here: https://www.healingartsscotland.org/events/glasgow-day