Event Report: ALLIANCE Annual Conference 2025 – ‘Our Voices Matter’

Students Clare Halpenny, Emilie McSwiggan, Elisa Cardamone, Cat Tottie, Nicola Crowe attended the event on the 30th April, at the Radisson Blu, in Glasgow.

1. Please describe the event you attended. 

The ALLIANCE Annual Conference 2025, “Our Voices Matter,” took place on 30th April at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow. It brought together a diverse group of people — from those with lived experience of using health and social care services, to researchers, third sector organisations, practitioners, and policymakers.

The focus of the day was on inclusion, human rights, and creating meaningful change in health and social care delivery in Scotland. A range of talks, panels, and workshops gave space for people to share stories, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions to the barriers and inequalities of Scottish health and social care. It was a thought-provoking day that highlighted that it is important to listen to, and be led by, the voices of the people that are directly impacted by policy and practice.

2. What drew you to attend this event?  

We were each drawn to the ALLIANCE Annual Conference because it touched on themes that were directly relevant to our academic interests and ongoing PhD research, including social prescribing, disability rights, and third sector work. 

3. How was your experience attending the event? What were the highlights and key moments?  

The conference provided an opportunity to see how theory and practice intersect, and to gain insights that we could apply to our own research. Additionally, the networking opportunities were invaluable. There were chances to connect with professionals, and for some of us to consider PhD recruitment opportunities in the field. The event provided both inspiration and practical connections for our future work.

Highlights of the conference were the diverse, and often creative, speeches and workshops that were delivered. A particularly memorable moment was the poetry reading by disabled poet and activist, Nuala Watt, who outlined some key shared experiences and frustrations in accessing support and services within Scotland.

4. How was this event relevant to your research, interdisciplinarity and the ACRC Academy?  

The focus on lived experience, health inequalities, and social care reform aligned closely with the issues that we are exploring in our own work. Although not explicitly focused on the experiences of those in later life, the conference’s central message of utilising lived experience to improve health and social care has direct relevance to the distinct populations that we are each researching. The strong emphasis on the third sector also facilitated interdisciplinary – and even transdisciplinary – discussion, which challenged our own biases.

5. Any lessons learnt / best practices that you’d like to share 

Our main takeaway was the passion that exists within the third sector for significant changes and improvements to health and social care. The diverse organisations that were in attendance was admirable and there was a strong shared vision for the future of Scotland. While it can often feel quite isolating and laborious being in the academic branch of this discussion, the conference’s demonstration that person-centred advocacy work is constantly ongoing was an uplifting reminder.

Additionally, the conference was a testament to accessible event delivery, readily providing adjustments such as sign language interpretation, text summaries, and a quiet room, which was an example of good practice for the inclusion of diverse audiences.