The ALLIANCE Journey — Leading change through partnership and lived experience

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is a national leader in shaping inclusive, rights-based health and social care policy and practice. A voluntary sector organisation for health and social care, we are unique that we bring together over 3,500 members, individuals, organisations, and communities united by a shared vision: a Scotland where everyone has a strong voice and the right to live well, with dignity and respect.

This session explores the ALLIANCE’s journey as an advocate for meaningful involvement of people with lived experience and the voluntary sector in shaping health and social care. It reflects on how our work has grown over time and how our approach has been shaped through learning, feedback, and the voices of our members. We will highlight how collaboration with the Scottish Government, NHS Boards, and partner organisations has led to real, person-centred change, rooted in co-production and human rights principles.

We champion the voices of disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers, ensuring their insights shape policy, practice, and service design. Through practical examples, we will show how embedding lived experience at every level of decision-making leads to more equitable systems.

Our three core aims guide our work:

Empowering lived experience: We support people to be heard, valued, and influential in shaping the services that affect their lives.

Supporting positive change: We promote self management, independent living, and community-led solutions that uphold human rights.

Championing the voluntary sector: We strengthen collaboration between voluntary sector organisations and statutory partners, recognising the sector’s vital role in innovation and advocacy.

Through strategic partnerships, the ALLIANCE has delivered transformative programmes that centre our members’ voices and drive continuous improvement. From managing funding streams to co-designing national frameworks, our leadership has enabled scalable and sustainable change.

This session will explore key milestones in the ALLIANCE’s journey, highlight successful collaborations, and share insights into our strategic priorities. Together, we will examine how lived experience can be embedded meaningfully, how voluntary sector leadership can shape national policy, and how partnership working can unlock collective impact.

The ALLIANCE’s approach offers lessons for organisations worldwide on placing real voices at the centre of change and works across sectors to improve services.

Purpose: This workshop explores how the ALLIANCE has championed lived experience and voluntary sector leadership to drive inclusive, rights-based transformation in health and social care through strategic partnerships, co-production, and meaningful collaboration.

Outcomes: Increased awareness of the ALLIANCE’s strategic approach and national influence

Practical insights into embedding lived experience and co-production

Gain insight into how the voluntary sector can inform inclusive, community-led reform in health and social care systems.

Agenda: Welcome and introduction: the ALLIANCE’s vision and values

Highlights from our strategic journey and partnerships

Lived experience in action: stories and impact

Reflections and discussion: identifying ways to take forward learning and embed equity and voice in future work