Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) teams enjoy a blustery day in Arbroath
- 18 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The DLS team and partners joined Angus Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) in hosting a vibrant Shared Learning Event in January.
Despite amber weather warnings for wind on the day over 30 people managed to get to a fabulous community venue in Arbroath. Attendees were welcomed by Angus ADP’s acting chair who displayed clearly the senior leadership that has benefited DLS in Angus since we started.
To kick-off the morning the group split and visited two wonderful local services. The Havilah project which has become a key partner to DLS delivery. Similar Well-Bean recovery cafes are working with the ADP and Vibrant Communities to introduce DLS across Angus, maximising local assets, meeting people where they are, and increasing access to digital.
The second group visited The Beacon, a new Community Wellbeing Centre offering community support for anyone living in Angus aged 16 and over. Commissioned by Angus HSCP this former church has been very sympathetically remodelled to offer high quality spaces to meet with, listen to and support people. The DLS group were particularly pleased to hear how the space will be host to statutory and community services making an integrated journey for users easier. DLS is looking forward to how digital can support The Beacon.
DLS partners SCVO brought everyone back into the main room and matched people in pairs so we could share our thoughts on our respective visits, a nifty ice-breaker!
The room then heard the stories and experiences of DLS from Angus Homeless Prevention Service, Vibrant Communities and the Angus ADP. Instructive and inspiring. After lunch the sessions focussed on a strong theme running through the work in Angus: families. Angus Independent Agency told of their journey so far and we were privileged to hear first-hand about the genesis of Angus For Families By Families.
Lastly and very definitely not least we were treated to a whistle stop and bravado performance on Kindness and Compassion from Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs and all left with a thought-provoking word-pebble! We ended with a preview of Angus ADP’s new website and were given information on the Angus Kindness Pledge and how this will underpin their adherence to the Charter of Rights.
Evidence across the whole day of the value of these Shared Learning and Community of Learning events in DLS and the commitment to them from the whole team and all partners. A great day due to the organisers’ effort and passion. Kudos to the team from East Ayrshire who joined in-person too. Others were unable to attend as planned due to an un-expected significantly increased demand on their services. A timely reminder for us all of the day-to-day reality of the support provided by our inspiring partners.
Digital Lifelines Scotland is managed by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) in conjunction with core partners SCVO and Simon Community Scotland and the support of NHS National Services Scotland. The third phase of DLS is funded by Drug and Alcohol Policy Division in the Scottish Government with previous phases receiving funding from Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Digital Health and Care Divisions and the Drug Deaths Taskforce in the Scottish Government.
Author: Alan Connor
