The Scottish Ageing Forum

Funded by the British Society of Gerontology and the Advanced Care Research Centre, the forum brought together 55 attendees from across Scotland, including representatives from eight universities, eight third-sector organisations, the Scottish Government, and NHS Scotland. The theme was ‘collaboration’, with many presentations and discussions on cross-disciplinary and cross-sector research and practice.

The day began with a welcome from Anna Bryan, a PhD student in the Advanced Care Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh. After Anna briefly introduced the attending organisations and goals for the day, Professor Alan Gow (Heriot-Watt University) delivered a presentation on WattAGE, the multi-disciplinary ageing Network at Heriot-Watt University. Professor Gow ended his introductory talk with a message on the importance of interdisciplinary working, inclusion of key stakeholders, and the input of those with lived experience at every stage of research. 

This introduction was followed by 13 five-minute talks from representing organisations and research groups. We heard wide-ranging perspectives on the field of ageing, from small-scale to large-scale organisations, with topics ranging from the benefits of music in forging intergenerational connection to concerns about population sustainability in rural areas. Following a networking lunch, attendees participated in an engaging workshop that focused on the topic of cross-sector collaboration. After closing reflections on the day and a discussion of the future of ageing-related collaboration in Scotland, attendees were invited to informally network before departing.

During the workshops, attendees were asked to work collaboratively in small groups to come up with a collaborative project idea – anything from a small event to a multi-million-pound initiative. Despite time constraints, this exercise gave attendees the opportunities to learn about the interests, backgrounds, and perspectives of others at their table and find common ground. Some of the links across the groups related to public awareness and education on ageing-related issues, reducing stigma regarding ageing, working intergenerationally, incorporating co-design into new technologies, and looking at accessible community-based solutions. There was also discussion of how to best use the strengths and resources in the teams, as well as considering other vital stakeholders and contributors to these projects.

Reflecting on the day, participants expressed a desire to continue networking. Many found the forum a useful opportunity for creative thinking and inspiration, and some voiced that they felt this was a rare opportunity to be connected with such a wide range of stakeholders. There was considerable interest in holding a similar event in 2027, with many attendees stating they would want to join again in future. One suggestion for improving the event was to make sure more health and social care providers were present, as well as more older adults who would like to be involved in collaborative projects.  

Overall, it was a fantastic day of engaging, informative presentations and discussions. Many thanks to all who contributed to making the day a success, including the attendees, sponsors, and the event organisation team and volunteers. 

Full list of groups/organisations in attendance (presenting organisations in bold):

• Advanced Care Research Centre, University of Edinburgh (UoE)
• Age Scotland
• The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
• Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice, University of the West of Scotland
• Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, UoE
• Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews
• Dementia.ED, UoE
• Edinburgh Centre on the Experience of Dementia, UoE
• Edinburgh Futures Institute, UoE
• Eric Liddell Community
• Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands
• Intergenerational National Network
• Lothian Birth Cohorts, UoE
• Music and Dementia Care Network
• Music in Human and Social Development Research Group, UoE
• Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, NHS
• Playlist for Life
• Scottish Care
• Scottish Chamber Orchestra
• Scottish Government Social Care Analytical Unit
• St. Columba’s Hospice/Queen Margaret University
• Strathclyde Ageing Network, University of Strathclyde
• University of Aberdeen
• WATTage, Heriot-Watt University

Event Organising Team

Anna Bryan, Kayla Ostrishko, Nicola Crowe, Ellen Falkingham

Event Volunteers

Deniz Hepdogan, Eilidh Bowman, Clare Halpenny