Members Speak to Politicians

Who Cares? Scotland Members Speak to Politicians

In October, Who Cares? Scotland celebrated Care Experienced Week 2021 with an all-new event ‘Care To Connect’ - bringing our National Representative Body (NRB) together with Members of the Scottish Parliament: Claire Haughey MSP (SNP Minister for Children and Young People), Anas Sarwar MSP (Labour Leader) and Gillian MacKay MSP (Greens Health & Social Care Spokesperson) Chatting in our National Office in Glasgow, the NRB got to know their political representatives more personally, whilst also seeking updates on how each political party are addressing issues facing the Care Experienced community.

Afterwards, we caught up with NRB Member Thomas Bartlett to chat about their experience at Care to Connect, what it means to them, and what it could mean for the Care Experienced community.

What word would you use to sum up your experience?

My word is optimistic. I’m optimistic about the future. I think they party representatives are realising there is a problem [with the care system] and when we spoke to them it seemed like they really wanted to help fix it.

What made you want to take part?

I think because these are people that are essentially in charge of the country, and they have the potential to make and influence change. I’m very happy I went and hopefully there will be positive change in the future.

Looking back, what do you remember most about the day?

I think it was that they [the politicians] were real people! When you see them on TV, in suits and ties or whatever, they don’t seem real, it’s as if they are machines! But when you talk to them, and get to know about them personally, that was the bit I liked – getting to know their personal life and not just their political life, it made them seem more human! When they were honest too – the Green MSP said that she didn’t know when I asked her a question but she would get back to me, and I appreciated that.

Clare Haughey, SNP Minister for Children and Young People, meets Ross Thomson and NRB member Thomas Bartlett Jasmin (and Kivali!) meet Anas Sarwar, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party

NRB members Jasmin (Glasgow) and Nicole (Aberdeen) meet Clare Haughey, SNP Minister for Children and Young People

How could this event impact the Care Experienced community?

I think just holding politicians accountable. When they make a commitment in these chats, we can go back to them and follow it up. I also think the videos [on social media] they made, will raise awareness. You never know if people are seeing something like that and realising they are Care Experienced, and they think ‘why don’t I become a WC?S member’. I think it brings more awareness to Who Cares? Scotland and the membership. People who are already members will see that