Tag: new app

Harnessing data and technology to revolutionise public services

First Minister: “Scotland ready for new phase of digital innovation”

Scotland is taking a major step towards becoming a digital-first nation with plans to join public services together through a digital platform, First Minister John Swinney has said.

The Scottish Government is building technical infrastructure to lay the groundwork for innovations to connect people and public services.

This foundation will support the launch of a new app in 2026 to help people access personalised public services more easily. The app will initially provide alerts on weather and travel disruption, followed by digital proof of age, with further functionality expanded over time.

This announcement follows the publication of the updated National Digital Strategy earlier this week, which aims to deliver sustainable public services and create better opportunities for the people of Scotland.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Digital technology is already growing our economy and transforming lives for the better. Scotland is ready to enter a new phase of digital innovation and become a digital-first nation.

“While the corporate world has led the way in making our lives easier through digital technology, my ambition is for digital delivery in the public sector to match the very best of the private sector, in a way that is inclusive for all.

“Innovation will help make public services more efficient, resilient and accessible – while ensuring privacy and security.

“From harnessing data-sharing to help tackle child poverty, to using innovation to support health diagnoses, the potential of technology to improve services and benefit lives stretches across all areas of the public sector. Building this technical foundation will help us develop new ways to grow the economy, end child poverty, improve public services and tackle the climate emergency.”

The Scottish Government is working with tech consultancy Netcompany on this project. Thomas Rysgaard Christiansen, Partner at Netcompany said: “By building the new digital communication infrastructure on our AMI platform, Scotland will benefit from proven technology and domain expertise already applied across Europe.

“Based on re-useable components tailored to local needs, the platform ensures both speed and security in delivery. This approach accelerates Scotland’s digital journey and demonstrates both the scalability and adaptability of our solution to meet varying country-specific needs.

“This is a significant opportunity to help nations digitalise their critical infrastructure and create real value for citizens.” 

Roadmap to Scotland’s digital future – gov.scot

SignPort: New app could transform deaf people’s lives

Improving access to services

Deaf people will be able to access essential services more easily from today onwards with the launch of a free mobile app.

SignPort will enable Deaf people to book British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters in just a few steps, see who their interpreter will be and communicate with them securely.

It was developed by Deaf Action and Burrotech through the Scottish Government’s CivTech programme after a review found that the existing booking system is fragmented and time-consuming, with back-and-forth email exchanges leading to missed appointments and educational barriers.

CivTech invites companies to work with government departments, public bodies and charities to develop innovations which improve people’s lives and drive business growth.

Through the scheme, the Scottish Government has supported SignPort’s development with £350,000. Six public bodies have currently included the app in their BSL plans with the Scottish Government encouraging more organisations to use the platform.

Launching SignPort at Deaf Action’s headquarters in Edinburgh, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This app builds on our commitment to make Scotland a more inclusive place for Deaf people.

“It also represents exactly the kind of innovation we want to see through our CivTech programme – technology that transforms lives and removes barriers.

“By putting Deaf people and interpreters at the heart of its design, this app addresses challenges that have persisted for too long.

As a social enterprise, SignPort will reinvest in the very communities it serves, creating lasting change beyond improving bookings.

“This is community-led innovation at its best.”

Royal Highland Show app launched to enhance visitor experience

The Royal Highland Show is launching a free RHS app designed to making visiting the Show a more enjoyable and interactive experience. 

The app has been designed to provide the best way of navigating around the showground, allowing visitors to plan their day so as not to miss out on any of the exciting activities, classes, exhibits and shopping. 

Featuring an interactive map of the Ingliston Showground, users can access an overview of what is going on in each area and be provided with wayfinding routes across the site.  

The app will also enable Show organisers to highlight in real time specific ‘not to be missed’ events and attractions, such as the start of the Grand Parade, celebrity chef demonstrations or the show jumping Grand Prix. 

Users will also be able to quickly access links to live results from the Showground as well as stream RHS TV straight to their devices. 

The app can be downloaded on both iPhone and Android devices and is available for free in both the App Store and Google Play. 

The app release comes as the Show celebrates its bicentenary in 2022, marking 200 years since the very first Highland Show took place in 1822. The app will also compliment the brand-new RHS TV, which will see a dynamic mix of live and pre-recorded content from the Show broadcast online throughout the four days, all available to access for free and featuring the perfect balance of livestock judging, equestrian classes, culture, interviews, food & drink and of course, the grand parade. 

Presenting RHS TV in the mornings will be Dougie Vipond, with Sarah Mack taking the reins in the afternoons. Not only beamed across the globe, RHS TV will also be transmitted across the showground on giant screens throughout the four days.

The content captured will be available to watch back on the Royal Highland Show YouTube channel. 

Mark Currie, Director of Operations at the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), organisers of the Royal Highland Show, said: “The RHS app marks another exciting step forward into the future for the Royal Highland Show, allowing visitors to experience the Show like never before.  

“We know there is simply so much to see at the Show that some people don’t know half of what’s going on, so the RHS app will make sure they can experience as much as possible!” 

The Royal Highland Show, supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, will take place 23-26th June 2022.

Tickets, including for car parking, must be pre-purchased online this year and no tickets will be available to buy on the gate. Tickets are limited in number this year with sell out days anticipated, so it is advised to purchase early.

The Show will be broadcast online this year via RHS TV, funded by the Scottish Government. 

For further information and to purchase tickets please visit:  

www.royalhighlandshow.org. 

ARC: New Addiction Recovery Companion app puts support in your pocket

  • The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership have launched a new app to connect those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction to local support services.
  • The Addition Recovery App (ARC) is the first to offer a personalised emergency button, quickly connecting users to help when things get tough.
  • The app offers easy access, at any time, to a range of professional support services and help from others dealing with drink and drug problems. There is also a calendar to help plan recovery time, the capability to track mood, prompts for motivational exercises and inspirational quotes.

Today the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership have launched the new Addiction Recovery Companion (ARC) – an app that puts drug and alcohol recovery into people’s own hands.

The app is the first to offer a personalised emergency button, making it even easier for Edinburgh citizens to reach out to the people most important in recovery when things get tough, or something goes wrong.

The app also provides live information from all drug and alcohol support services in Edinburgh including:

  • Information about local recovery networks in Edinburgh, keep you motivated and help you manage your time
  • Live information on recovery meetings taking place every day across the Capital, where people can meet and share their experience, strength and hope
  • Up to date information on professional services available
  • a calendar function to help people plan their day, stay motivated and manage your time
  • a diary to keep track of recovery progress and record the ups and downs of recovery
  • Inspirational quotes and exercises aimed at those who need a mental boost

The ARC app provides a personalised experience for every user, as everyone’s recovery journey is different. It allows users to make a plan that is right for them alongside giving them the opportunity and the space to reflect on their journey and follow their progress.

Visit https://arcapp.co.uk/ to download the app on android or IOS.

Judith Proctor, Chief Officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The recovery community is a huge force in Edinburgh. There is lots of professional support available across the Capital, but more importantly, people are also increasingly helping each other to deal with drink and drug problems.

“That’s why the Addiction Recovery Companion app is so important. It is filled with information to support and guide people in their recovery, alongside tools to immediately connect them to those who can help if things get tough.”

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “I welcome the launch of the new Addiction Recovery Companion App to support people accessing services for drug and alcohol recovery.

“Using technology to improves access to drug and alcohol services, for people recovering from addiction, is a clever initiative from Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

“Edinburgh and Scotland face a real challenge to reduce the number of drug related deaths in Scotland and this tool can be part of a bigger strategy for peoples road to recovery.

“It is important that people who do not have access to a smart phone are still able to easily access these services.”

When asked about the benefits of the app, users have said:

“It’s such a useful tool. I can see me using it more and more the further we go back to normal.“

“I’m quite disorganised and the calendar/map is great. I like that, when I’m in town, I can just pull up the map to find out what’s happening nearby.”

“It’s a clever app. The inclusion of the reflection section is useful for the days where I need some motivation.”

“For me, structure is important, and the Arc App helps with that.“