Speak Out Autumn 2016

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

SUMMER CAMP 2016 CHECK OUT THE SNAPS FROM WHO CARES? SCOTLAND’S THIRD SUMMER CAMP AND HEAR WHAT THIS YEAR’S CAMPERS THOUGHT. P18-19

PLUS!

REGIONAL ROUND-UP, GAME STATION & SO JUNIOR!

AUTUMN 2016

NEWS & EVENTS CONTENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Welcome to the latest is s t’s Check out wha

inside...

Welcome to the Autumn 2016 Issue of SpeakOut. Sadly, Summer is well and truly over but it looks like you guys had a good one! Check out what went on at Who Cares? Scotland’s biggest Summer Camp yet (p18-19); Blair, Dion and Jamie tell us about their holiday adventures (p20-21); and the Kibble group remind us of the joys of the BBQ (p22)! Get to know more of your Corporate Parents as we meet Borders College and SQA (p10-11) and find out exactly what they are doing to support you. Unsure what a Who Cares? Scotland Development Officer is… Look no further than p15 where Beth Agnew introduces herself and tells us why she does what she does! Catch up with the next episode of our comic strip, TOUGH TIMES!, to see if you have been affected by any of the issues (p27). Make sure you play the Halloween inspired In It To Win It (p24) competition to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice. And whilst we’re on the topic of Halloween…

Inside this issue 2-3 Welcome

Lifestyle...

4-5

Celebrating You

6

Come Dine With Me

7

Our Cat Garfield

8-9

What’s Hot & What’s Not

10-11 Meet the Corporate Parents

News & Events...

12

Spark of Genius Inspection

13

FYI Up In Skye

14

Andrew and CHS

15

Meet Your…

16-17 Regional Round-Up We’re off to plan our costumes for the Time to Shine Festival, hope to see you all there.

Take Care,

The Speak Out Team 4

18

Entertainment...

18-19 Summer Camp 2016 20

Alton Towers

21

Wildwoodz

22

The Kibble Group BBQ

23

In Fashion

24-25 Gamestation

SO Junior...

22 2

W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

26

26

Martin & Police Scotland

27

TOUGH TIMES!

28

Contact Page

sue of SpeakOut

NEWS WELCOME & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Say Hey to your Editorial team…

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT?

We do!

LAURIE

We love hearing from you, so please share your poems, stories, pictures, jokes or tell us about something you’ve done. SpeakOut needs you!

So get involved.

KIERAN

JULIE

EUAN

Who Cares? Scotland Community

KATIE EDITOR

BETH

@whocaresscot

RAY

LYNSEY

Want to join next i ssue’s editorial team?

membership@ whocaresscotland.org

If you’d like your own copy of SpeakOut posted to you, then make sure you sign up as a Family Member by visiting www.whocaresscotland.org The views expressed by the young people in this magazine are their own and not necessarily those of Who Cares? Scotland.

tie – just get in touch with Ka We’d love to have you, 9 560 06 6 81 sscotland.org / 07 membership@whocare

W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

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CelebratingYou! LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Celebrating you is a space for you guys to tell us what you’ve been gett ing up to and to share anything you proud of. We love getting stuff from might be really you, so please send in your poems, stori es, pictures, jokes or tell us about som favourite hobby or a new pet, and we’ll ething you’ve done, your include it in the next issue of SpeakOu t. memberhip@whocares

scotla

nd.org – 5 Oswald Street, Gla sgow, G1 4QR

My hobby T

wice a month I go to mini motoing in Kirkcaldy. I’ve loved motorbikes all my life and since I was a baby. My keyworker Craig invited me along to see him on his mini moto and I really fancied trying it. Really just started from there.

The first time you go on a mini moto you need to take it slow as you can’t trust the tyre’s. I race quite a bit and im actually pretty good at it.

I have met some really lovely people doing mini motoing at my track in Kirkcaldy, they even gave me my first racing suit, boots and helmet.

Everyone should definitely give it a go as it’s solid to get into. It can be really scary but it’s so awesome. You

by Aron

really need to be brave to do mini motoing.

I want to say a huge thank you to my Social worker Andrew who has helped me get money to do this, my keyworker Craig who gives up his own time to do this with me, Mr Alan McIntosh who has gifted me the mini moto to take part in this years UK Mini Moto Championship and all the Families that have helped me week in, week out, especially the Croft Family. I have loved being part of the Mini Moto community over the last year and I am looking forward to having this as a permanent part of my future. I am looking forward to the 2017 Championship.

Abstract

Self Portrait

Losila, 9 4

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Tisem , 12

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

My story isn’t over

My story isn’t over yet.

I ‘m stronger than you know.

I’ll prove to you There’s nowhere I can’t go.

Even when you think I’ll go Even when you think I’ll break I’ll show you I can do it No matter what it might take.

My story isn’t simple.

There’s parts that make me cry. , There’s parts that I keep hidden y? wh and parts that make me ask Why me?

Why you?

Why now?

And what can I do?

But my story isn’t over.

It’s not a hopeless case.

In time I’ll finding my ending.

In time I’ll find my place.

So don’t ask me why.

Or who I am.

Don’t ask me where I’ve been.

Don’t ask me to explain.

Don’t try to work me out. at I’ve seen.

Please don’t try to work out wh r.

Because my story isn’t ove It won’t be for a while.

I’ll carry down my own path.

I’ll walk that extra mile.

I’ll prove to you There’s nowhere I can’t go.

My story isn’t over yet I’m stronger than you know.

7 Helen , 1

West Dun School sees first ever pupils complete National Outdoor Award A

group of senior pupils from a West Dunbartonshire School have become the school’s first ever to complete their Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

The 8 youngsters, aged between 16-19 and all with a range of additional support needs, walked from Helensburgh to Clydebank for their Bronze expedition.

The two-day trek saw them each carry a fully-laden pack weighing around 15kg, follow a mapped out route they planned themselves, and camp overnight in the grounds of Overtoun House - including cooking their own dinner and breakfast on camping stoves.

In order to achieve their Bronze Award each pupil must also complete a period of volunteering, commit to a scheme of physical activity such as regular training in a sport, and demonstrate commitment to a skill, such as attending an extra-curricular club. Three of the pupils have already completed each section.

The group’s assessor feedback said they were pleasant, polite, attentive, and good fun, that they worked well together and coped well with the walk.

WELL DONE!

Patrick Fotheringhame from Orkney was delighted to have received a Special Award from his School for his Excellent work in the subject of ‘Administration’.

The awards were presented at a ‘Special Awards Ceremony’ at the School on the 22nd of June.

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LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Come dine with me!

Dylan , 16

D

ylan has recently participated in showing off his cooking skills for theme nights. He cooked a full menu for an American night for all the other young people and staff in his unit.

Dylan’s menu: Starter: Hot and spicy chicken wings Main course: Burgers, hot dogs and pulled chicken with paprika wedges and salt and pepper fries.

Dessert: Doughnuts with ice cream, skooshy cream and fruit.

All the young people and staff really enjoyed this meal and Dylan is continuing to develop his cooking skills.

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LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Our cat Garfield Demi, 15 & Tiene, 15

T

his is our cat, Garfield.

We chose the name Garfield because he is cheeky and ginger, just like the real Garfield!

He can also be very lazy too when he is tired from chasing butterflies.

He was just a kitten when we got him and we have now had him for almost a year – He has grown lots!

We had asked staff to get a pet for the house for a while and when one of the staff’s cat had kittens they agreed to see how one of them would get on in the house.

Garfield visited us over a few months during the day at first before he moved in with us.

Garfield is very playful and loves to follow us around the house. He can be very cute when he cuddles up to us, but he can also be very cheeky when he wants to play!

Garfield cheers us up when we are upset and makes us laugh. He is a distraction when things maybe aren’t going so well for us.

We all help feed him and occasionally clean out his litter tray (even if we don’t want to! :P) We have learned how to be responsible by looking after him and making sure he is healthy.

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T O H s ’ t a h W

NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

& What’s NOT The Cat Cafe I

heard about ‘Maison de Moggy’ (AKA the cat café) on the radio and I thought I really wanted to go ‘cause I LOVE cats!

I was begging my foster carer to take me and she said maybe I could go some time. My Who Cares?

Scotland Advocate (Charity) heard this and suggested maybe we could go together if I was up for writing about it for this magazine, which I am!

The cat café is close to Edinburgh Castle, so we got the train to Edinburgh and then walked using the map on Charity’s phone (she got us lost :P LOL)!

The cat café is like a normal café but with a LOT of cats in it and obstacle courses for them to climb and play.

I ordered Elodie a millionaire shortbread and a hot chocolate which had a paw made out of chocolate powder on the plate.

One cat (Elodie) is a Sphynx kitten, which means she has no hair. She tried to eat another ladies cake! A big fluffy white cat called Jacques was sleeping almost the whole time we were there. You are allowed to clap the cats and you can feed them some biscuits if you’re lucky.

I would highly recommend you go

to the cat café and guarantee you will have a good time. You can get souvenirs of the cats that are in the café and I bought a mug for myself.

, 13 Connor ques) (with Jac

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

5 8

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NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

: W E I V E R FILM

Dolphin Tale Nic ole, 14

I

first saw Winter in the movie Dolphin Tale and almost instantly fell in love. You may wonder why there is a movie about him, well it’s because Dolphin Tale is based on a true story.

Winter the dolphin was found on a beach tied up in a fishing net. People managed to save him however his tail was so badly damaged that if they didn’t remove it away he would have died. Winter is the first dolphin ever to have a plastic tail. Winter has his own website where you can learn all about him and his new friend Hope. There is even a live camera so you can watch him grow. Why I fell in love with Winter?

Because his story is so sad but it fills me with joy to see how far he has come he is a big inspiration because bad things happened to him but he got through it and became the strongest dolphin ever and that’s why I love Winter the dolphin and the film that tells his story.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

5

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Meetthe NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

(Corpor

Borders College

Jen MacKenzie Care Aware Advisor

H

ere at WC?S we’re constantly talking about the Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, how it names 24 Corporate Parents and what Corporate Parenting is. We thought it was about time that we actually introduced you guys to your Corporate Parents and told you exactly what it is that they’re doing for you. Jen MacKenzie, the new Care Aware Adviser at Borders College, gives us the low down.

Since 2014 Borders College have accepted their corporate parenting duties with pride and we are committed to working with care experienced young people to make sure they are able develop their talents and achieve their full potential.

The Act asks all corporate parents to write a plan to show how they will meet their new responsibilities. We started writing ours after receiving corporate parent training from WC?S. We think that writing a plan is a good thing as it means we set goals for ourselves. We want to see more students with care experience entering college and university, and on top of that we want to see them achieve and 10

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succeed. As a parent we know care experienced young people can do well, we just need to show our support and offer the right kind of help.

After thinking about the barriers that some young people face when applying to college we have put some new initiatives in place to make coming to college simpler. I, Jen MacKenzie, am the new Care Aware Adviser, this means that I am the key contact for care experienced students.

I’m hoping to help lots of new students succeed at college, and am happy to help right from the start with applications. We guarantee to give a place to all care experienced students who want one!

We know that as a College we play a central role in helping care experienced students build their confidence and take charge of their lives. We also know that it is important

that students have someone to listen to them, take action and advocate on their behalf and this is where I, as your Care Aware Adviser, really come in. Part of my role is also to build relationships with external organisations who support Care Experienced students, so that students are fully supported whilst in College.

The College have also entered into a new initiative supported by the Robertson’s Trust, Borders Young Talent programme. This programme will help care experienced young people who face barriers and challenges that prevent them from making the most of their talents and for whom successful transition from school to college could prove difficult.

We can’t wait to welcome more care experienced young people through our doors!

Parents NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

orate)

SQA T

he Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been a Corporate Parent since April 2015 and takes its responsibilities in supporting you, very seriously.

We help people to achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of internationally recognised qualifications and associated services.

We work with schools, colleges, universities and training organisations.

You may have heard of us at school or college when you have been doing your Units, National Courses, Skills for Work, Awards, Higher or HNC/D qualifications.

We are committed to making things better for you by listening to you. We think we can help to make a real difference to your experiences of getting qualifications which can help you progress in life. We believe strongly that to do this, we must ensure that you are understood, believed in, and given every opportunity to succeed.

Here are some of the things we have been doing to support you.

We pledged our support for the Who Cares? Scotland [listen] [act] [unite] campaign. As part of this, WC?S representatives attended one of our Board of Management meetings and gave a presentation about the challenges you face along with ideas about how public bodies, like SQA, could better support you. As a result

of what the Board members heard, we have created a plan of action, which we’ve started carrying out.

As part of the 2015 Edinburgh Police Box Festival, 11 of Edinburgh’s famous Police Boxes were turned into popup venues. Our Director of Corporate Services, Maidie Cahill, loaned her Police Box to Who Cares? Scotland, so they could engage with the public to help bring the conversation around care in Scotland into the heart of the community.

For the first time ever this year, we invited care experienced young people to contribute to the design of SQA qualifications for the residential care sector. They are helping us to shape the future of residential care.

We hosted a Results Day celebration to congratulate a group of careexperienced young people from across Scotland on their results and to hear about their achievements and plans for the future.

This year, John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, joined the celebrations and heard first-hand about the young people’s experiences working toward their qualifications and how it felt to get their certificates.

SQA Chairman, Graham Houston, said: “I was delighted to meet with the candidates and help them celebrate their achievements. It’s always inspiring to hear directly from young people about their hopes and ambitions, and get a sense of the effort and work they have put into their studies. Today was no exception and on behalf of the SQA Board I’d like to congratulate them.”

One of the young people who attended the event, Helen Johnson, presented SQA with a poem she had written about Results Day and what it means to her. Helen, who received results for Highers; said: “I’m hoping to be accepted for a place at university to study Social Work”.

Dr Janet Brown, SQA’s Chief Executive says, “We are wholly committed to Who Cares? Scotland and I can vouch for our whole team when I say we are proud of the work we do in being a Corporate Parent.”

Your feedback is important to us and we welcome it at any time. Please send your comments to equality@sqa. org.uk.

Find out more about SQA corporate parenting - http://www.sqa.org.uk/ sqa/76312.html W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

SPARK OF GENIUS INSPECTION

By Bryan , loe Natasha and Ch

D

uring the summer a group of young people took part in being an inspector for the day.

The young people visited different Spark of Genius houses, spoke to staff and young people that lived there and gave their personal feedback on those houses.

We got picked up by Yvonne, our WC?S worker, and travelled to the house that we choose to inspect.

It was good to pick the house we wanted to visit and interesting to see what another house looked like. On the way there Yvonne explained what we had to do and went through our inspection form with us and how to complete it.

When we got to the house, we met the staff and young people.

One staff member gave us a tour of the house and explained how the young people who lived there had helped decorate each room.

We got to ask the staff member questions about the house and what opportunities they offered the young people who lived there. The staff described the recreational activities they held

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for the young people and thought about ways they could improve the house. After this, we asked the young people the same questions about their home. We filled in our inspection forms and then gave our feedback and suggestions.

It was really good fun going to see another house and to compare it to where we live. It was also good to be able to talk about what we liked from the house we visited and then take this back to our own houses. It

was really good because the staff took it very seriously and treated it like a proper inspection.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

FYI up in Skye O

n the 7th of August, 8 members from Perth group (Fun Young Individuals) started their journey to the Isle of Skye where they would stay for the week and start the ‘Columba 1400’ leadership program, kindly funded by Perth & Kinross council. Initially we were all quite nervous about what the next week would bring, however little did we know that it was going to be the experience of a life time.

At ‘C1400’ the staff were very warm and welcoming, the food was great and the accommodation was lovely too. We explored ourselves and our values through various activities such as journaling our days, using a ‘talking stick’ to express our feelings at the ends of days as well as many fun walks, and trips out exploring the beautiful Isle of Skye itself.

Highlights: “I enjoyed our walk and talk where we wrote down our values on pebbles and partnered up to talk to each other about what our values were and why they were important to us!”

“I liked the search and rescue!

This was where we had to look for a casualty in the hills, and work as a team to build a stretcher and bring the casualty back to base!”

“Canoeing was good fun! Even though it was pouring with rain and it was freezing cold – we all had a good laugh and worked together” “Graduation on our final day was very emotional. Having a speech read aloud about you as a person and how great we all are is an experience I will never forger” “I loved our final night – we had all our duvets in the hall that we

By Heather McKenzie, Partic ipation Ass istant

had been working in all week and cosied up together and watched a film before bed!”.

We will certainly NEVER forget this amazing trip. At FYI we consider each other family but by the end of the week we realised that we really are a family, if not closer that that! After returning home I missed everyone and couldn’t wait to see them again at the next group!

When I asked a few questions about how ‘Columba 1400’ made individuals feel, the answers back were “I have the self-belief to do anything”. “I have the confidence to do anything I put my mind to and I know now that I always had all the values we looked at but I just needed help seeing them”. “I know who I am now because of the help from Columba 1400.”

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Andrew tells us about working with Children’s Hearing Scotland Andrew, 10 It all started when Charity (my advocacy worker) invited me to meet with Children’s Hearing Scotland (who organise all children’s hearings) to give them ideas to help make their website better for the children who go on it.

When I was there somebody mentioned the waiting rooms at the hearing centres should have toys and games in them so that you’re not bored waiting. I thought that the toys and games in the waiting rooms I had been in were boring, because they were all for two-year-olds and younger and some stuff was not working well or completely broken. I wrote a letter saying that and gave it to Charity, who smiled and agreed to give it to my Children’s Reporter (who works at the hearing centre) for me.

A month or so later I got a letter from my Children’s Reporter asking if I could collect any toys or games for the waiting rooms but I couldn’t, so I was asked to meet with Janet and Becca (who work for Children’s Hearing Scotland) to give them ideas about how the waiting rooms and the hearing room could be made more entertaining and comfortable.

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A while after our meeting Janet and Becca got in touch with me and said some of my ideas had been used to help make the hearing centre in Irvine better. They asked me along to see it.

As soon as I went in I liked it because it was a big open space with lots of light and had been decorated with lots of pictures of ship wrecks, sea creatures and a dinosaur.

I loved the actual hearing room because there was no big table, just lots of multi-coloured seats for people to sit on. There was also an elephant picture on the wall and new games for babies and very young children. They said they hoped they would soon be decorating and getting new furniture for the hearing centre I go to and I was pleased about that.

The only thing I said they hadn’t got quite right was that they still needed more things for older young people, like posters on the wall, books to read and a tablet with a few of the most popular games (like Minecraft) on it.

They said this was something they planned to do.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Meet your Development Officer ew

n g A h t Be What exactly I do:

A little bit about me: I’m Beth. I live in Edinburgh but I’m originally from England but I’ve lived in Scotland for about 7 years and I love it. One interesting thing about me is that I’m a triplet. I have a brother and sister exactly the same age- which is fun most of the time, but I am super competitive because of it.

I love working alongside young people and I’ve been doing youthworky-type things for about 8 years. I am really excited about getting to know some of the young care experienced people of East Lothian and working together to get some things changed!

I work with the East Lothian Champions’ Board which is a group of Care Experienced Young People who meet regularly to discuss how to make the care system better in the local area. Every few months this group meets with senior people in the council, the NHS, the police, or in education to tell them ideas about how to make positive changes in the lives of care experienced young people. The Champions’ Board is also a chance for young people to get to know each other and have fun together.

When I’m not doing that I work with the rest of the influencing and engagement team to support young people across the East of Scotland to participate in groups, help them explore their care identity, and find ways to let professionals know what is important in their lives and how to make care better.

Why I think the East Lothian Champions Board is great: It seems such a simple (but amazing) idea to actually listen to what young people have to say about things that affect their lives and do something about it. I love that this is an opportunity for care experienced young people to help inform and make decisions that affect the lives of all the care experienced young people in East Lothian. Ideally, we’ll work together to help make the system better!

What I want to see change in the care system: It’s all about what you want to change so I’m looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say and help you make it happen.

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Transformers group (Angus, fortnightly) rtnightly.

Continue to meet fo l or Laura.

For more info call Me

Ray

Laura

Brought to you by your Development Officers: Julie

iduals) FYI (Fun Young Indiv ) ay (Perth, every Mond for new members. ing ok FYI are always lo ike or Heather.

For more info call He

Moray group (Elgin Youth CafĂŠ, monthly) For more info call Paula.

Highland group (Inverness, monthly, all ages welcome) Young people from across Highland meet in Inverness regularly for top chat, food and all kinds of activities. Changing the world and having a great time! Check out our paintballing pictures on pp20-21.

For more info call Donna

Laurie

Dundee Champi ons Board (Dundee, fortni ghtly) For more info ca ll Cindy.

group Aberdeenshire YPOC larly in Aberdeenshire gu re s et This group me tivities, food, and for all kinds of fun ac bigger projects have excellent chat. Some for eos and info leaflets included making vid le. op pe g ed youn other care experienc nne.

Ly ll ca For more info

Western Isles gr oup (Stornoway, mon thly, all ages wel come) There are lots of exciting new th ings happening on ou r wee islands! Ke ep an eye out for new grou ps, events and aw esome opportunities in the near future !

For more info ca ll Alison.

dup North Roun

Regional Round-Up Euan

Beth

Lynsey

NEWS & EVENTS Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

ire Care2Create Renfrewsh s) ek we (every 2 ed Young people have enjoy , DJing, painting canvases er oth of s lot d an in g colourin creative activities. .

For more info call Lynsey

Renfrewshire Champions Board Has started back up again and is running fortnightly.

For more info call Lynsey.

Care2Create: Ay rshire (6-10 year olds ) WC?S’s youngest group have been up to all sorts of fun and crea tive activities! Ev erything from rainbows and un icorns to Hawai ian and Italian themed nights filled with costum es, games and fantastic art wor k. Due to high de m and this group is currently clos ed to new mem bers but if you would like mor e information, co ntact Euan. n onshire: drop-i West Dunbart ntre enings, ATC Ce (Wednesday ev Clydebank) g en to any youn This space is op idance gu , g help, advice person seekin meet to for a chance or just looking ople. other young pe contact Beth S. For more info

2BHeard (Across Fife, wee kly) There are three groups who meet across Fife, loads of stuff ha ppening come along and find out.

For more info ca ll Robyn.

Midlothian Champions Board (Dalkeith, every second Monday) This group has been having fun and working with the council about important issues such as education, houses and jobs.

We’ve also got two new staff members, Beth and Jordan.

For more info call Beth or Jordan

YPiCC (Edinburgh, every second Thursday) A fun group that tackles local issues while providing young people in Edinburgh a chance to build relationships.

For more info contact Susan or Alicia.

FAMILY group (Mussleburgh, every Tu esday East Lothian) This group creates an atm osphere where young pe ople feel accepted and a space wh ere they belong. They als o feed their discussions into the East Lothian Champions Board.

For more info call Lisa, Alicia or Sophie.

East Lothian Champions Board (Mussleburgh, every second Thursday) The Champions Board has been doing lots of great influencing in East Lothian with young people speaking with the Local Authority about a number of issues. The Champions recently went on a residential weekend which finished with a gorge walk.

For more info contact Sophie, Lisa or Beth

Glasgow Champion s Board Glasgow have star ted Champions Board Application, includ ing a consultation with young people. To learn m ore about what a Cham pions Board is or to get involved call Ray.

South Lanarkshire Are starting a drive to get 2 new groups up and running.

For more info call Lynne M. Falkirk Champions Board The Champions Board Partici pation group is starting in November, wit h a full launch early next year… exciting tim es ahead.

For more info call Ray.

Care2Create Glasgow (every 2nd Thursday, 6-8pm) Care2Create has kicked off again.

For more info call Euan.

South Ayrshire Foster Care grou p This group mee ts regularly and is open to any yo ung person with experience of fo ster care. This is a great opportun ity for young pe ople to meet up and chat, take part in activities and m ake new friends.

For more info ca ll Sheryl.

Inverclyde group (Gourock) This new group will launch on Wednesday the 26th of October and held fortnightly thereafter. This group will be led by the young people of Inverclyde, come if you’d like to make friends and take part in all kinds of fun and interesting activities. For more info call Nicole.

Communities That Care (Renfrewshire) Project launched with an amazing fun day in July where there were in lots of fun activities to participate including Parkour, face painting and l sumo wrestling! Mhairi Black, loca n lear to ect proj the t visi to e MP cam about the work that we’re doing and k she took the Pledge to Listen. Loo for y Part een low Hal r thei out for under 12’s on the 31st October!

For more info call Laurie.

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

NEWS & EVENTS

W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SUMMER 2016

Snapshots of Sum This year’s Summer Camp was the third of its kind and saw more Who Cares? Scotland Family Members than ever come to Struan for an action packed, fun filled week. Read on to find out what campers and leaders alike thought about this year’s camp experience and take a peek at some of the photos from the Family Album.

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My experience at the Who Cares? Scotland camp as a leader was amazing. It was great to see everyone getting on and it was a positive atmosphere. When I arrived at camp on the Sunday for camp leader training, I only knew two of the other leaders but as the week progressed I got to know most of the campers and all the camp leaders. My favourite part of camp was the coming together like one big family and the feeling of belonging. I still keep Jeanette, 19 in touch with the pals I made from camp. I felt proud as a camp leader and tried hard to be a good role model and let the younger campers know I was there if they wanted a chat. One of the best things I will take from camp is that I had the courage to get up in front of such a large group of people and read a poem that I had written. I was supported by Laura Beveridge, Alumni Member and one of the most inspirational who cares leavers I know. I had a fab first time at camp, thanks to the wonderful caring atmosphere that everyone created.

Thanks guys xx

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SUMMER 2016

mmer Camp 2016 In July I went to a camp which was ran by who cares Scotland and it was the best 5 days of my life and I think there John , 14 should be more camps like that all year round. The staff were great and there were so many activities. In the past I’ve found it difficult to speak to other kids my age because there’s a stereotype about kids in care but at camp, I have never felt so accepted in my life by other kids. Because we have all had similar experiences no one judged you, I wish that every kid in scare could get the chance to go to the Who Cares? Scotland Summer Camp.

Arriving at camp for the first time as a leader was a daunting feeling. I wasn’t sure what to expect at all.

The first day was laid back where leaders got to know each other and had a laugh preparing for the week ahead. Already I had felt part of something. Everyone understood me as me I could totally relax and let the anxiety float away. Throughout the week my experience only seemed to get better. The camp was full of people from all over Scotland as well as the Danielle, 19 some of our 5 Nations 1 Voice friends from Ireland.

Struan brought me and my sister together, for the first time in 5 years I got to spend a solid day with her and I cannot put into words how much that meant to me. By the end of the week I had built up the best friendships with the most amazing people. I definitely think that camp is a place that everybody should get the opportunity to go to, it’s FULL of incredibly inspiring people. Being there made me realise that I was part of a family, I’ve never really felt that before. Each individual person holds a place in my heart and I know I will treasure my experience forever!

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NEWS & EVENTS

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We stayed at the Boarshead Hotel. It was so nice. We went with Stacy and Rea it took us 6 hours to drive from Dunoon but it was so worth it.

We got to Alton Towers early so we had the whole day we took the tram to the start of the park. Everyone was really excited and a wee bit nervous.

We got our tickets to the park and fast track passes, which let us on six big rides without waiting in a queue.

First we visited ‘The Smiler’ ride and we were really brave. Stacy and Rea screamed louder than us!

We spent the whole day at the park going on all the rides, it felt like we walked for miles. Stacy was not impressed.

The park was really nice the place was full of interesting stuff. We found Jim and Gordon (See gargoyles picture) Just kidding!

The best ride of the day was a new one called Galactica.

WE ALL LOVED IT! “The girls had a great time it was so nice to spend time with them on Holiday.

We all had so much fun and are very proud of how the girls conducted themselves.

Even if they were scared on the rides.” Rea and Stacy

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

z d o o Wildw

g n i l l a b t n i a P 7

By Blair, 1

On Wednesday 31st August, me, Rory and other people fro m the Who Cares?

Scotland group went to the Wildwoodz Paintball Park in Inve rness. I was feeling excited to sta rt the games. The guys who work at W ildwoodz put us in teams and then to ld us the rules of paintballing whilst we were getting ready for the first pa intballing match.

I was feeling focuss ed and motivated to start. We did 5 ga mes and I really enjoyed it and so di d most of the other people. I felt like th ere were too few matches but it was getting too dark by the time we had to stop!

I would definitely go again!

W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

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ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Q B B

THE KIBBLE GROUP

T

he WC?S service at Kibble delivers Children’s rights awareness, individual and collective advocacy, consultation opportunities, group work and drop-in activities on campus. The WC?S group work takes place on a weekly basis with a growing number of regular attendees since its launch in January. The Kibble group, ran by WC?S staff, is a unique set up where the young people come along to take part in issue based group work with the opportunity to mix with other young people on the campus, as well as take a break from everyday routine.

The group requested an activity off campus towards the end of the summer holidays, and chose to have a BBQ and 22

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games afternoon at Lapwing Lodge in the Gleniffer Braes. Six young people attended the BBQ, which took place at the lochside on a hot sunny night. They all got tucked into the food and played team building activities. Afterwards the young people played in the woods and the trip ended with young people telling spooky stories round a camp fire area. All young people really enjoyed their trip and have already planned to come back to Lapwing in the October break.

Claire, 14, said “the WCS staff took us away on an amazing trip. I loved it, it was a chance for me to get away from the Kibble campus”.

SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

n o i h s a In F Who Cares? Scotland’s resident fashionista, Kieran McWhirter, tells us how it is…

A beautiful w

hite ink dream

My Lion King

catcher

Kieran McWhirter, 20

Tattoo

Tattoos! They’re a little taboo right? I mean it’s a big decision.

You’re making a permanent mark on your skin, something that’s gonna be with you your whole life. So why do it?

Sure they can look good. They can hold deeper meaning. The new-borns footprints on your own, the name over the heart, the date you want to carry with you forever. They can also represent great influences in your life.

So I went on holiday over the summer; I got burnt, I got a tan and I got a tattoo.

Pretty much the standard for a Scot abroad I reckon. I told some people at home while I was over there and the

responses were pretty much a rotation of “oh god why”, “Was it Napa2k16?”, “Is it Henna please say it’s Henna?” and “you’ll regret it”.

I got a Lion King tattoo and I love it. I love Disney. The memories I have as wee kid watching those films are some of my happiest and I wanted to pay tribute to that, also it looks damn good!!

Tattoos are, I think, tools of selfexpression and for whatever reason

you get them, they represent you and that’s great. Just remember, as much as it sucks, that we do live in a society that judges you based on your appearance, so if you do get a tattoo (because don’t let that stop you) remember that it might be a good idea not to get one on your forehead… maybe. Apart from that crack on and if you get one as pretty as this white ink dream catcher I wanna see it!!!

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NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

IN IT TO WIN IT… Harry Potter Quiz Riddle me this

What is the full address of the house that Harry lives in with his Aunt and Uncle?

What animal does Hermione’s Patronus charm take the form of?

!

H GAME STATION H GAME STATION H GAME STATION H

My first is in demon and also in dread, My second is in Hades and is also in head My third is in river and also in dive My fourth is in fifteen and also in five My fifth is in bluster and also in talk My whole has horns and carries a pitchfork.

What am I? What two powers does the Philosopher’s Stone possess?

What three objects make up the Deathly Hallows?

Guess Who

Guess the song

Night creatures call And the dead start to walk in their masquerade There’s no escapin’ the jaws of the alien this time (they’re open wide) This is the end of your life

!

Which Hogwarts house was Luna Lovegood in?

Guess What What TV show did Lady Gaga recently act in?

AGE: PHONE: WC?S WORKER:

HHHHHHHH

H

H LAST ISSUES WIN NERS ARE: Niamh, 12 / Skye, 15 / Luke, 12 / Sean, 15 / Carlo, 8

HHHHHHHH

HH

RETURN YOUR ENTRIES TO: WHO CARES? SCOTLAND, 1st Floor, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow G1 4QR. 24

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!

YOUR NAME:

NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

H GAME STATION H GAME STATION H GAME STATION H

JUST FOR FUN…

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SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

Martin meets Sergeant Iain Fitzsimmons Hi, I’m Martin and I am seven years old. I have met a policeman and he was a Sergeant. A Sergeant is someone who has been in the police a long time.

I went to meet Sergeant Fitzsimmons because I had drawn a picture of a police officer getting into their police car outside their house ready for night patrol. I wanted to give it to a police officer and tell them I wanted to be a policeman when I grow up.

When I went to the police station I had to wait a while until someone

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came to see me because it was a busy morning with lots of police officers out and about in their cars, on their bikes and walking to get the criminals. When I met Sergeant Fitzsimmons he said my picture was good. Then he took me into the station where all the other police officers were working and they said hello.

Then we went out the back door to where all the police cars were. The car in the photograph is a traffic car, for making sure no bad guys are driving badly in their cars or on motorbikes.

I have got Sergeant Fitzsimmons hat on. I was excited and a wee bit shy to meet Sergeant Fitzsimmons.

“If you have a meeting coming up, you might be feeling a bit worried or confused. One of our Who Cares?

Scotland workers (called Advocates) might be able to help you. An Advo-

cate can help you let people know how you feel and what you think and want, even if you don’t want to go to the meeting yourself! On the back page of this magazine there is a list

Episode 3: starring Red and the Children’s Hearing Panel.

of all our Advocates - you can find yours, or ask someone to help you find them, and give them a call.”

Red

Panel

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2016

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NEWS & EVENTS

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