The Scottish Government’s Digital Lifelines initiative which seeks to reduce the risk of harm and death amongst people who use drugs through digital inclusion and services has secured new funding to continue its vital work.
Delivered by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) in collaboration with core partners Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations and Simon Community Scotland, Digital Lifelines Scotland (DLS) has been granted £783,150 for 2025/26 with further programme activities planned for delivery over the following two years, subject to funding confirmation.
DLS has committed to improving digital inclusion for people who use drugs, including building confidence, skills and motivation alongside access to devices and connectivity. Digital solutions have been developed that keep people safe and enable them to become and remain connected to family, friends and relevant support services. The programme was launched in 2021 with an initial £3.2 million in funding from the Scottish Government.
An independent report by Figure 8 Consultancy Services on the impact of Phase Two of DLS has found “significant results [which] show improvements in digital inclusion, access to services, wellbeing [through reduced isolation], and harm reduction for the people and communities involved”. The evaluation report has supported the decision to continue the programme into a third phase.
Since its creation, DLS has reached a significant number of participants, with 5,502 individuals supported, 3,044 digital devices distributed, and 518 staff and volunteers trained in digital inclusion across Scotland. This was delivered through partnerships with 35 organisations across six separate funding rounds.
Professor Margaret Whoriskey MBE, Head of Innovation for Care & Well Being, DHI, said:
“It is a testament to the impact of Digital Lifelines, and the contribution of all delivery partners, that the programme has received additional funding. DLS is making a real positive difference to people at risk of harm from drugs and to the organisations that support them. The independent Evaluation evidences the successes achieved through digital inclusion and how this can increase access to services and improve outcomes. I am excited to see how our new collaborations will further enhance learning and embed new ways of working.“
Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport, Maree Todd said:
“The Digital Lifelines programme is a powerful example of how innovation and compassion can come together to save lives. By supporting digital inclusion, we are helping people at risk of drug and alcohol related harm to stay connected, access vital services, and rebuild their lives. I’m pleased that the Scottish Government is providing further funding to continue this life-changing work, and I want to thank all the partners involved for their dedication to improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
An example of one of the 35 organisations to have received funding through DLS is Harbour Ayrshire, set up to create opportunities for some of the most vulnerable people in society, allowing them to live a life free of the stigma and suffering of addiction. Harbour currently runs 14 separate support groups including an online zoom room.
David {not his real name}, who is 35, is a recovering heroin addict and says being given a device when he got involved with Harbour was life changing.
“Just before leaving rehab I met Vari from Harbour and she gave me a digital device to use. I had lost all self-respect because of things that I’ve done in my past which I found hard to accept so on leaving rehab I didn’t want to come out of the house. But having the device, doing Zoom calls and online meetings meant I was able to slowly integrate into the community again. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t think I would have picked up the confidence to have left the house even to this day. Now I can leave the house with my head held up high and without looking over my shoulder with paranoia. It’s been truly life changing.”
Vari McFadzean, Harbour Ayrshire’s Digital Inclusion Officer, said:
“The digital inclusion initiative has been instrumental within Harbour Ayrshire, giving us the opportunity to work with those who have the biggest challenges in terms of isolation, rural residence, tags from prison or mental and physical conditions. These supported people now have the same opportunity to recover from addiction and to be integrated into an online community which has been the foundation for connection and a chance at life again, solely through access to a device and Harbour’s support.”
Councillor Paul Kelly, Spokesperson for Health and Social Care at COSLA, one of the partners which has delivered the DLS programme, said:
“I’m delighted that Digital Lifelines has secured further funding to continue delivering its award-winning work. The recent evaluation highlights the significant impact of the programme in our communities, with over 5,500 people at risk of drug harm supported to become digitally included. As a strategic partner, COSLA is committed to supporting Digital Lifelines as it enters its next stage, taking a place-based approach to improving wellbeing and enabling better access to vital services through digital inclusion.”
