Staff and community partners from the SUMIT project recently travelled to Scotland to learn more about how digital tools can strengthen community-based addiction services. The visit reflects the shared values of Queen’s University Belfast’s (QUB) Communities and Place initiative, which promotes meaningful collaboration with communities to improve wellbeing and create positive social impact.

On 18 March, 18 representatives from SUMIT attended the third Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) Conference at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. The conference brought together over 150 delegates from across academia, the voluntary sector, and community organisations to explore how digital innovation can support people experiencing addiction and other complex needs.

The SUMIT delegation included partners DHI, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), SCVO, University of St Andrews, and community organisations Turas Counselling, The Red Door Project, North West Methodist Mission, and DePaul Derry. This strong mix of academic and community expertise reflects the collaborative ethos shared by SUMIT and QUB’s Communities and Place approach.

Conference sessions focused on how digital technology can improve access to services, reduce barriers to support, and strengthen connections between organisations and the communities they serve. Speakers shared practical examples of how digital tools are being used to reach people who may otherwise find it difficult to access support, particularly those experiencing disadvantage or social isolation.

SUMIT participants described the conference as insightful, informative and energising. There was a strong sense of shared purpose among attendees, with lively discussions highlighting the importance of partnership working and community-led solutions. The event provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, reflect on current practice, and identify new approaches that could benefit communities across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Fife in Scotland.

On 19 March, the group visited two innovative organisations in Edinburgh – The Simon Community Scotland and The Grassmarket Community Project. These visits offered further opportunities to learn how community organisations are using creative and digital approaches to support people affected by addiction, homelessness and social exclusion.

The learning gained from the conference and site visits will help inform the ongoing development of the SUMIT project, strengthening its focus on collaboration, innovation and community impact. This aligns closely with the principles of QUB’s Communities and Place, which emphasises listening to communities, working in partnership, and co-creating solutions that respond to real needs.

By sharing knowledge and building connections with organisations facing similar challenges, SUMIT continues to develop practical ways to support individuals and communities. The visit to Scotland demonstrated how digital innovation, when guided by community insight and partnership, can enhance services and create more inclusive pathways to recovery and wellbeing.

Through initiatives like this, SUMIT and its partners are helping to ensure that community voices remain central to service development – reflecting a shared commitment to improving lives through collaboration, innovation and meaningful engagement.

 

 

DHI Digital Lifelines Scotland Blog Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) Conference and Application Call

 

The Simon Community Edinburgh Edinburgh - Simon Community Scotland

 

The grassmarket community project The Grassmarket Community Project - ALL are welcome

 

Link to the SUMIT community partner page Community and Voluntary Partners | Substance Use and Mental Health Interventions using Digital Technology (SUMIT)