SpeakOut Spring 2019

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

Meet The Collective Committed to speaking out on behalf of Who Cares? Scotland’s members and influencing decision makers at a global and national level.

P24-25

PLUS!

CARE DAY SEES FIRST MINISTER BACK PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON CARE

SPRING 2019

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Welcome to the latest is s ... e id s in s t’ a h w t u o k c e h C

Dear readers, Welcome to this year’s first issue of SpeakOut! Considering we’re only 3 months in to 2019, so much has happened already. This issue is fit to burst! We’ve already welcomed 2 new members to the Editorial Team – Molly and Emma – who’ve made fantastic contributions to this issue. Who Cares? Scotland have announced their first corporate partner, Mactaggart & Mickel – who’ve refurbished their first home, belonging to one of our members (p10). Care Day 2019 saw the First Minister back the Care Experienced community’s call for a public education campaign (p14). Led by some of our inspirational female members we celebrated International Women’s Day (p18). The results of last year’s Membership Survey and our follow up actions are revealed (p19). The Care Collective introduce themselves and tell us their big plans for the future (p24-25). As well as all this serious news, you lot have had some serious fun, from 21 Pilots concerts to ice hockey games, light shows in Glasgow’s Botanic gardens to appearing in pantomimes. Start how you mean to go on hey!? And here at SpeakOut, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store!

Love Katie and the Editorial Team x

Inside this issue 2-3

Welcome Pages

LIFESTYLE

4-5 Celebrating You 6 Breaking Down Barriers 7 Police Scotland Safer Communities North Lanarkshire 8-9 From Care to Where 10-11 WC?S Announces First Corporate Partnership

NEWS & EVENTS 12

Meet Your Development Officer

13

Advocacy Explained

14-15 Care Day sees First Minister back

Public Education Campaign 16-17 Regional Roundup 18

Who Run the World? Girls!

19

Annual Membership Survey Update

20

Fiona Checks In

21

The Participation Hub Launch

22-23 My Reflections

6

18

24-25 It’s Time you Heard About The Care Collective

ENTERTAINMENT 26 What’s Hot & What’s Not 26 The Clan 28-29 Quiz Pages

SO Junior 15 2

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30-31 SO Junior 32

Contact Page

sue of SpeakOut

Meet the Editorial Team

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Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

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you Scan this QR code if gital di would like to see a ut or copy of this SpeakO of ry ra lib check out our to ck ba older issues, right 1979!

Our readers Every quarter SpeakOut is sent out to every Who Cares? Scotland Family Member.

That membership is made up

5% 0-9 years old 21% 10-14 years old 43% 15-19 years old 18% 20-24 years old 6% 25-29 years old 2% 30-34 years old 2% 35-39 years old 3% 40+ years old

of…

18%

5%

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%

21%

2307

members Male - 1096 Non-binary - 8

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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.

Female - 1203

Our youngest member is 2 and our oldest member is 73.

@whocaresscot

Who Cares? Scotland Community

If you would like to join the edi torial team, please email membership@whocaresscotland .org for an application form.

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

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CelebratingYou! NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

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 done, your favourite hobby or a new ething you’ve pet, and we’ll include it in the next issue of SpeakOut. memberhip@whocares

scotla

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

Volunteer – Kim Hume What’s your name?

Kim Hume Where do you volunteer with us?

East Renfrewshire Mini Champs, Safari Trip 2018, Carelidh 2019 Fun fact about you?

I have a mini zoo- lots of pets! Including a cat, dog, two geckos and a hamster.

How would you describe your volunteering experience with us?

Volunteering has been one of the most valuable and rewarding experiencesespecially being part of the group since it started, I’ve been able to see how the young people I work with have grown in confidence, it’s amazing to be part of.

Weird or interesting fact about you?

I’ve held a baby alligator

COLD

By Bob Hamilton

Darkness, falls into my thoughts, Badness, gets me tied up in knots, Silliness, crawls into my veins, Sadness, really has its strains, But regardless of all of the above, much love, I know I have a family that show so is strong, will my e I’ll never give up, becaus is wrong, e sag mes my I will correct myself, if the full, to life r you Be yourself, go and live from school, got er nev you Don’t worry about the grades ire, insp and e ther Be who you are, go out er, high you take you Let the love around , you r ove fall s nes Don’t let the dark do, Don’t let badness tell you what to d, han of out get Don’t let silliness Tell your sadness to understand, , Let it all out, and let yourself be free . me” ping stop no And say, “There’s

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(17)

By Samantha

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

s e fi l e S t o N y r e Scen

)

By Connor (16

By Molly (17)

By Josh (12)

By Ellie (15)

By Athos

By Aimee (14)

By Keva

By S op hie (7)

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

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g n i k a e Br s r e i r r a B n w o D

NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

A

student at Ayrshire College who is studying towards a City & Guilds Diploma in Bench Joinery has earned praise for the progress she has made on the course.

Becky Williamson, 21, left school with no qualifications and so had to start her journey towards becoming a joiner on the Connect to Careers course at the College.

Connect to Careers is an entrylevel course aimed at school leavers who are unsure about what is next for them or who need to develop new skills. Becky credits the course with giving her the confidence to progress to a full-time course in Construction.

Becky, who is a care experienced student, describes her upbringing as “chaotic”. Without a settled home, she struggled to fully commit to school and was in danger of going down the wrong path.

Realising she should enrol at college in order to carve out a promising career for herself, Becky opted towards joinery as she had always enjoyed woodwork at school.

Last year Becky’s lecturers chose

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Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

her to receive an award which recognised her as the best student in the class, and she continues to impress lecturers with the quality of her work on the City & Guilds course.

Becky said “I didn’t really get much from school. I left with nothing and so wasn’t set up for college. I had to put in a lot more work to be able to do it”.

“College has given me confidence and a lot of skills so that I am able to keep up with everyone else. I’m at the same level as my classmates, so I feel great”.

“It’s hard when you’ve got quite a chaotic life. School wasn’t really a priority for me. I was staying in children’s homes, I was moving about a lot and getting into trouble”.

“My home life is quite settled now and I’m happy where I am. My lecturers have been really supportive and they’ve got a lot of patience with me. They always help me and make me feel better.

“Anybody can be a joiner, it’s not a career just for boys. I’d love to get an apprenticeship and become a joiner.

n me College has give a lot of confidence and able skills so that I am everyone else. to keep up with I’m at the same smates, level as my clas so I feel great.

To anyone else who is in the position I was in, I’d say give college a chance and see how you get on”.

Craig Barrie, Carpentry and Joinery lecturer at Ayrshire College, said “Becky came into our department three years ago, and she was a very shy and withdrawn individual. Becky used to come in with her hat on with her hoodie up and her jacket hood up too. The distance that she has travelled since is unbelievable. Her practical work is always completed to a very high standard and she is usually first to finish.”

Anybody can be a joine r, it’s not a career just for boys. I’d love to ge apprenticeship and beco t an me joiner. To anyone else wh a o the position I was in, I’d is in say give college a chance and se e how you get on.

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Police Scotland s ie it n u m m o C r Safe e ir h s k r a n a L h t r o in N T

he North Lanarkshire team are back for their first year and what a year it has been!

I wanted to share the strides we have made in our connections with one of the biggest Corporate Parents in Scotland; Police Scotland.

Last year I contacted Beth Hayton from the WC?S Corporate Parenting Training and Education Team. I spoke with her about the interactions my young people had experienced with front line Police Officers, as well as the interactions I have had with Police Officers over my 11 years in social care. I spoke to her about perhaps engaging with front line Officers to discuss their role and how they engage with our weans!

Upon speaking with Beth, she had explained that she was planning an input with the upper ranks of Police Scotland (the big chiefs) and asked if we would like to be an integral part of these engagement sessions. We jumped at the opportunity!

I spoke with Kim from TNT, the North Lanarkshire Champions Board, and asked if she would like to share her experiences with Police in these sessions. “We wanted to make sure that real-life care experience was at the heart of this training. We wanted the Police to see that being a Corporate Parent isn’t just another branch of law they needed to know, we wanted them to see the realities of Care Experienced young people’s relationships with their Officers.”

Presentations at the ready and butterflies in the stomach we headed to Gartcosh Crime Campus for the first of our inputs. We looked out to a sea of very important people in suits and uniforms, but they smiled back at us and we immediately felt at ease.

Beth gave her very important input on what it means to be a Corporate Parent, you could see people starting to understand how vital their role was which was very reassuring!

When my team and I spoke with them, we highlighted the roles that understanding and love play in connecting with Care Experienced young people. We spoke of the importance of appreciating their journey, being informed regarding the trauma many will have experienced and the vital role they play in breaking down stereotypes.

Kim, for the first time in her life, spoke openly about her experience with Police. This was an extremely brave thing for her to do, especially in front of Police Scotland! We were all so incredibly proud of her and her input added life blood to our session.

We spoke of the importance of appreciating their journey, being informed regarding the trauma many will have experienced and the vital role they play in breaking down stereotypes.

We wanted to make sure that real-life care experience was at the heart of this training.

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

From Care to o, Assistant r n u M a c c e b Re S Member ?

C W d n a r o Edit

B

ack in September 2018, I was one of a few members who took part in the homelessness workshop at The Care Council. I was new to Who Cares?

Scotland and this gathering signified the first time that I spoke up about my homelessness experience since leaving the homeless system in 2013.

I was incredibly moved by the stories shared by other members and although we all shared the same experiences of care and homelessness, our stories are in no way the same.

When I was 17, I would say that I definitely fell through the cracks of the care system and found myself homeless whilst I was working towards my sixth-year exams. Although this was an extremely stressful and challenging time in my life, the support that I was offered in my homeless accommodation was extraordinary. With my own self-motivation and the kindness and support that my key workers offered me, I feel that I would not be where I am

“

Lee, 33,

Mental Health and Well-being Coach

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today had it not been for the two years I spent in homeless accommodation.

Nevertheless, this was not the case for the other alumni members who shared their experiences of homelessness that day. We all shared our experiences, whether good or bad, with the younger care experienced generations in the hopes that they do not fall through the same systematic cracks that we did.

This workshop was an eye-opener and the younger members who took part were able to appreciate the seriousness of our stories. Whilst there are care experienced individuals living through disadvantaged and challenging times, I know that the members of WC?S are all striving to make things better by sharing our stories and learning from the past. Below members share stories that demonstrate no matter where we have come from, we are all capable of reaching our own positive destinations.

As a young girl my life was chaos, I was exposed to violence and drugs.

My life was a series of unfortunate events, abuse and neglect. I figured this was my life, this was my normal.

This made me stop hoping for myself, and just living day to day. I lived for my brothers who loved me more than I loved myself. I had dreams and just accepted that life was always going to be taken away from me. I felt like a drifter, moving from place to place.

That becomes safe, almost comfortable because the constant change is the only constant. Never being attached to things, places or people. Every now and then, I would have moments of clarity, I would try to be ‘normal’. At 27 I had enough of just surviving and wanted more, so I took control and decided to go to college.

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Since 2017, I am a qualified mental health and well-being coach in addition to being a mindfulness practitioner. As well as being a single mum, I volunteer with three organisations and run community groups that tackle loneliness and isolation in others and help them overcome adversity and rebuild their confidence. I can honestly say that I never thought that I’d be here. Life has been tough, but I have been tougher.

No matter how tough it gets you can do better, and acceptance and self-love are the two biggest achievements I have to date, besides my four children.

If I could give advice, it would be to love yourself, forgive yourself and trust that it does not matter what the statistics say, or how long it takes you.

It’s worth the fight and so are you!”

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Where?

Lisa, 53, Senior Communications Manager

“

I went in to foster care during my teenage years. After initially being moved around a bit I stayed with a lovely family who remain friends, even though I am now in my early 50’s. There were some tricky times, of course, but I think that was part of growing up anyway - the care element just added an extra layer of problems. For me that meant I had to work a little bit harder with my studies, but it paid off because I went to University and managed to get an English degree. After that I went to work for the BBC as a radio and TV presenter before moving to Scotland when my family came along.

I’m very proud of my care identity because it has made me who I am, and I wouldn’t be who I am without it.

I’ve never thought of it as a bad thing but almost as a badge of honour - a way of defying people’s expectations of what a person with care experience might be like. I always talk about being in care and my kids know all about it too.

My career has been great, and I deliberately mention my care experience to prove that care doesn’t have to limit your achievements or ambition”.

Diane, 40, ead Digital Policy L

“

After leaving a children’s home at 16 I moved into a bedsit and completed my school Highers. It was tough as I felt lonely and I didn’t have parents to encourage me, but I had decided I wasn’t going to let my past get in the way of my future. After a lot of determination and hard work I got the grades to get into University and studied for an arts degree. I graduated and did various arts related jobs but with the growth of internet I decided to change career and returned to university at age 24. I graduated with an MSc IT and more recently at age 38 I completed a post graduate diploma. Today I’m in a fantastic job as a Digital Policy Lead for a Local Authority.

I wouldn’t count myself as super smart and I don’t think that’s all you need to succeed, it all comes down to attitude and resilience and if you’ve been in care then you will have bags of resilience. I’m also a proud mum and now I know from experience you can achieve anything you put your mind to. I plan to tell my daughter the same. I’m proud of my care identity.”

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Who Cares? Scotland Announces

First Corporate Partnership

W

e are delighted to announce our first corporate partnership with house-building company Mactaggart & Mickel.

The company has signed a two-year partnership with us to provide vital life skills and practical support to our Care Experienced members in their own homes. Teams of Mactaggart & Mickel employees have volunteered to carry out essential repairs and refurbishment.

Marion Forbes, HR Director of Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “The idea was suggested by one of our Employer of Choice champions, who realised that we could harness skills that our staff already have to benefit those who may need a helping hand.

“Most of us have a network of family and friends to help out, but Care Experienced people often don’t, so they may require additional support to tackle jobs around the home such as painting and decorating, turning off the water, or plumbing in a washing machine.”

Duncan Dunlop, CEO of Who Cares?

Scotland said: “We are delighted to be working with Mactaggart & Mickel – not just because they represent our first strategic corporate partnership to support us in our work, but because they understand what we are trying to achieve and they are right behind us. They understand that people who have been in care often have little or no family support networks to turn to when they leave their care setting, and this can make it difficult for them to settle into their own homes.

“The support that Mactaggart & Mickel

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The company has signed a two-year partnership with us to provide vital life skills and practical support to our Care Experienced members in their own homes. can offer will help us to ensure that Care Experienced people have the same opportunities as anyone else – with the ability to turn to a trusted supporter to help them with simple things like DIY and painting and decorating. Mactaggart & Mickel’s support is therefore both practical and confidence-building. Our aim is that our members know they have people around them to turn to for advice and support.”

On Care Day, Mactaggart & Mickel carried out their first home refurbishment for our member, Lisa Moore.

Lisa said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone from Mactaggart & Mickel who gave up their time to help renovate my flat. I love the final result and could never have done this without their help. I was amazed at how quickly it’s gone from being a flat to being my home. This support will help our members massively – it certainly has for me.”

Over the coming months, Mactaggart & Mickel will

provide further support for the Care Experienced community by offering work experience opportunities, arranging taster days on construction sites, and hosting a life skills day at their Head Office. Many employees have also pledged to take part in the annual Kiltwalk in Glasgow which is taking place on 28 April 2019.

I love the final result and could never have done this without their help. I was amazed at how quickly it’s gone from being a flat to being my home.

95 g n i k Wor

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

to

Molly Browne, Membership Assistant

W

hen I first got the phone call to tell me about the Employment Programme at Who Cares? Scotland, I was excited because I had been wanting to get more involved with WC?S for some time. I went along to the information day and saw that a lot of people were also going for it which made me nervous. I tried my best though and got through my first ever interview. Although I thought I wouldn’t have a chance as I was one of the youngest there, I was one of the lucky few who got onto the programme.

During my first week I was nervous, but I tried my hardest. I think what made it a lot easier was that the other people on the programme were really kind and we all got on so well. I was working on my skills and how I could improve them, I was never good at time keeping but now I am never late to anything.

The second week we had a residential in Aberfeldy with Venture Trust. Aberfeldy is a small village in the middle of nowhere but I enjoyed the quietness. We did a lot of team building exercises like being blind folded in the dark and working our way around trees, under and over ropes. We also went canoeing and abseiling.

We spent the third week working on our CVs and job applications. I chose to apply for the Membership Assistant with Who Cares? Scotland and the Admin assistant for Move

I was working on my skills and how I could im prove them, I was never good at time keeping but now I am never late to anything.

On. Secretly, but not really, I wanted the Membership job more. I’d never really filled in job application forms before but it wasn’t so bad.

The last couple of weeks we got to go on placement with the different organisations. I was in the WC?S office first. I worked with the Policy Team dealing with pocket money in residential units, then I worked with 1000 voices which wasn’t just playing with playdoh I promise. I’m entitled to be a kid sometimes as long as I get my work done. My final week was spent with Move On in the Fairshare warehouse where I got hit by a fish but on my last day they took me for Chinese which made up for the fish incident.

Not long after that I got my interview dates. First I had my WC?S interview, obviously I was a nervous wreck, but I thought I did ok and was proud of myself. But when we it came to the Move On interview, I got

nervous and mind blanked. The next day I got a phone call from Move On saying that I hadn’t got the job, I was a little disappointed but knew I still had a chance to get the membership job. A week passed and I hadn’t heard anything which I thought meant I hadn’t got it. Another week had nearly passed but then I got the phone call saying that I got the job and I was over the moon. I have been here nearly 4 months now and I feel very welcomed and everyone is so kind.

If it wasn’t for the WC?S Employment Programme I would have never have applied for this job because I thought I wasn’t ready, but the programme eased me in and I am thankful for the opportunity.

If it wasn’t for the WC?S Employment Programme I would have never have applied fo this job because I thou r gh I wasn’t ready, but th t e programme eased m e in and I am thankful fo r the opportunity.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Meet your Development Officer –

e s o r l e M Peter G

’day! I’m Peter Melrose, the new Development Officer (Participation and Engagement) for Aberdeen, and I moved here from Australia a few months ago. In Australia, I worked for an organisation that did sort of similar things to Who Cares? Scotland.

But I have never seen the energy and commitment to Care Experienced people like I have here.

In Australia, there are almost 50,000 children and young people in out of home care and you cannot stay in care once you turn 18 years. This often means no other support for accommodation, money, employment etc., and there are poor outcomes in those areas. Many places in Australia say that they support young people up to 21 years, but this support can be really hard to get and what’s actually available is often not well understood.

I came to visit and learn from Who Cares? Scotland in May 2018. It was fantastic and when the opportunity to work here came up I had to take it. Who Cares? Scotland has a very impressive approach to including Care Experienced people at every level and showing others the amazing benefits that come with doing this.

The main form of engagement here in Aberdeen is through the ACE (Aberdeen Care Experienced) group. We

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have really embraced the idea of young person lead engagement and participation, as well as ensuring we embed the voice and experience of young people in everything we do. We have regular social events, attend house meetings, one-onone meetings and anything else necessary to make sure we get the voice and experience of young people included in as much as possible.

Some examples of how we are doing that include producing training videos for Social Workers on what it’s like to be a young person and be written about by other people, developing a virtual reference group on mental health issues for young people, and making sure we are involved in everything we can be.

The top questions I get asked are: Does Australia really have big spiders and snakes?

Yes, and they really are everywhere.

Australia has some of the deadliest animals in the world but we all learn to stay away from them when we are little.

Does everyone always eat barbecues?

Once again, yes. When it’s hot it’s the easiest way to cook. Almost everyone has a proper barbecue.

Why did you move from Australia to Scotland, surely the weather is better there?

Believe it or not, you can get really tired of the heat and humidity. But sometimes life presents you with an adventure and you have to take it. You don’t always need to know what will happen in the end of the story but what’s important is that you are part of the story.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

y c a c o v d A d e n i a l p x E 16 , n o n n a h S

What is advoc

acy?

Advocacy is having someone who supp orts you to ensure gets heard. Your ad your voice vocate meets up w ith especially when yo you and gets your u have important views, meetings like LAAC Accommodated Ch (Looked After ild) reviews and Ch ildren’s Hearings. to just be about m It doesn’t need eetings though, it ca n be anything abou feeling at any poin t that you’re t.

One of t things he many Who C ar Scotla nd offe es? rs is advoca c y .

W C? Memb er, Sha S nn tells u s what on, t means hat .

What has it done for you?

Advocacy has made me confident. I ca n now say m y own views w hen before I didn’t even li ke talking at all, I wouldn’t say much, or sometimes an ything at all.

who is What would you say to someone thinking of using advocacy? ’ve chosen to have one, when

you want If you aren’t confident in speaking up and Also, can! ly someone to help you, an advocate real s tion ques sometimes my advocate just asks me and t wan ly which help me understand what I real helps me make my views clearer. ce, I think advocacy works because it is a choi to an talk to ng your choice. Young people are willi

ares?

C o h W s nd ha of 32 a l t o c S 0 out u’re 3 n i f yo ates advoc thorities. I check , au pport this u local s r o of gf lookin back page t who e u out th e to find o e is at zin maga ocal advoc h. your l et in touc and g

advocate because they r control. I a lot of things in their life are out of thei is that they think one of the main reasons it works you. They build up a really good relationship with your views don’t tell you what to do, you tell them and tell them what to do!

Shannon (rig ht) and Nicole her advocate (mid dle)

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

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Care Day

sees First Minister back Public Education Campaign on Care

T

o mark Care Day 2019, Who Cares? Scotland members spoke to the First Minister about the discrimination and stigma faced by Care Experienced people by a public who don’t understand care.

The First Minister responded by backing the Care Experienced community’s call for a public education campaign about care.

At the event – at Glasgow’s Tramway Theatre – she heard powerful accounts from three people with experience of the care system. They each spoke of the various times they had encountered discrimination and stigma, as a result of their care experience.

Examples included being turned down for work placements and having their care experience noted as a health risk while pregnant.

One spoke of his experience of seeing his community turn out in force against the opening of a new children’s home. They all spoke of how their lives were made more challenging, due to a fundamental misunderstanding of care and what it means.

They all spoke of how their lives were made mo re challenging, due to a fun damental misunderstanding of car e and what it means.

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nt The most importa now is ht rig g thing you are doin eptions rc pe d an changing attitudes up in ow gr o of young people wh y day, er ev d an care. You are, each a. gm tackling sti

They issued an ask of the First Minster, to respond to their stories by committing to work with Who Cares? Scotland on a public information campaign, to help change public attitudes and understanding of the care system and Care Experienced people. This would help people to understand that children enter the care system through no fault of their own and are as full of potential as their nonCare Experienced peers.

Following their testimony, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The most important thing you are doing right now is changing attitudes and perceptions of young people who grow up in care. You are, each and every day, tackling stigma.

“I want to endorse the principle of a public education campaign. We will work with Who Cares? Scotland and others to shape that. This is such an important thing if we want to see the other changes we want to make.

“As the chief corporate parent in the country, it’s important that I am your advocate and defender.

Together we can make this country better for all our young people.

We can do it in Scotland and be a beacon for the rest of the world.”

The First Minister was then joined

by Fiona Duncan, Chair of The Independent Care Review, to take questions from the audience.

Care Day was launched in 2015, to mark the day on which legislation

was changed to allow children to remain in care for longer. Today it is celebrated by Care Experienced people and their supporters, all over the world. See opposite page to see how else it was celebrated.

corporate As the chief e country, it’s parent in th vocate I am your ad t a th t n a rt o imp e can . Together w and defender r all fo r te untry bet it in make this co o d n ca le. We p eo p g n u yo our for the be a beacon d n a d n a tl Sco orld. rest of the w

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Elsewhere on Care Day 2019…

The Carelidh took place for the third time and saw over 200 Care Experienced people and their friends come together to celebrate and dance the night away.

The Care Day Cup was held in Renfrewshire, with over 14 teams from all over Scotland taking part, but there could only be one winner and after a gruelling final, Lothian United took home the trophy. Ben and Lee from the winning team had this to say, “It was a good day.

The pitches were good. It was well organised and the staff were nice. Our team included people from different parts of the city and we worked well together. It was played in good spirits and there were good players from other teams. The referees were also good.”

The Scottish Funding Council held a coffee morning and raised £170 for Who Cares?

Scotland, which will go towards running this year’s Summer Camp.

Champions for Change the South Ayrshire Champions Board have helped local councillors shape new programmes designed to support young people leaving care to develop the necessary life skills to live independently, hold down tenancies, avoid homelessness and reach their full potential.

Moray held an art exhibition on their main high street.

FYI (Perth and Kinross) launched a photography exhibition.

Scottish Government lit up Victoria Quay in red to mark the day.

Shetland flew a Care Experienced flag above Lerwick Town Hall.

Clackmannanshire flew a flag and hung out with their corporate parents the Fire Service.

EPIC in the Republic of Ireland and CREATE in Australia showed their solidarity on social media.

Children’s Hearings Scotland lit up Ladywell house.

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

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

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• Aberde en Champio ns Board: You ng people changing c are.

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• YP Forum contact Sian.

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Shetland

NEWS & EVENTS Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

•

upwards) Champions Board: (14 years meet once a month-Barrhead rs) meet • Mini-champs: (8-13 yea arns.

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For more info contac t Denise or Sheryl.

• North Ayrshire: Fortnightly group fo r 5–11 year olds.

• Care 4 Ayrshire : Fortnightly group fo r 12+ For more info contac t Jemma Kerr.

• East Ayrshire: 2 separate groups for ages 6-11 and 12-16 on Tuesday’s 5-7.

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Ayrshire Groups

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ple changing care.

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The Breakthrough Group: Fun

Renfrewshire Groups

Kibble Group: Fun, food & friends.

For more info contact Pamela or Jemma Kane.

East Dunbartonshire

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

NEWS & EVENTS

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

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NEWS & EVENTS

G I R LS! Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Wh o Ru n t h e Wo r ld?

I

nternational Women’s Day takes place on 8th March every year and is a day when women all over the world are celebrated for who they are and what they do. It is also a time to reflect on the fight for women’s rights – on how far things have come, but also how much work there is still to do if we want women and girls around the world to have the same rights and opportunities as men and boys.

This year, Who Cares? Scotland wanted to celebrate the care experienced women that make up our membership.

We were lucky enough to secure three inspirational speakers and WC?S campaigners and activists – Laura Lloyd, Lee Davidson and Ishbel Holmes. Below is a bit about each of them:

Ishbel I am Ishbel Holmes and I am an adventurer, international author, public speaker, activist, animal rescuer and I’m care experienced. Being a part of WC?S is the most important thing I’m doing.

I was in foster care. I was homeless.

I had to crawl out of the life I was given by the system. It took me years.

I don’t want anyone else to suffer the way I did.

A new future can be created when we unite our voices behind one shared vision. I’m really looking forward to a new future! To find out more and to keep up to date with what’s going on with me, please check out my blog at www.worldbikegirl. com

Lee My name is Lee. I am a mental health and well-being coach. I have always been lth an advocate for positive mental hea ing uild Reb ma. trau ing and overcom al confidence, self-esteem and emotion love to how ng arni rele by boundaries t yourself and forgive yourself for pas mistakes.

As a mindfulness practitioner, I work with women who are all such see incredible people… They just don’t gs thin y man how them it. When I ask es, or people they love before themselv they list the n dow far how it’s amazing tI put themselves. That’s why I do wha are. I do – you are enough exactly as you show want to empower other women to ’. them they don’t have to be ‘perfect

The Space: No-one belongs here more than you We were lucky enough to hold this special event in a venue called The Space in Glasgow, which is an events space and café which aims to tackle poverty and social isolation. They run classes and workshops for people in the area, provide free community meals, and run a shop where you can pay as little as £1 for a bag full of food and groceries. And the best part? The lady who set it all up, Linda, is Care Experienced and spoke at our event! For more information please visit www.thespacescotland.org 18

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

Laura My name is Laura Lloyd and I am currently studying my postgraduate Masters in Sociology at the University of Gla sgow. Research, I believe, can provide an swers. If we ask the right questions, then we are able to understand comp lex problems.

With better understandin g, we are in a better position to fin d suitable solutions.

I’ve recently realised tha t the things that make me different are actually my strengths – and tha t’s the big thing that as women, we should be celebrating, and not pu tting each other down for.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Annual Membership Survey Update

Dear Members, Y

ou may remember last summer the Who Cares? Scotland Membership Team launched its first ever Annual Survey.

The survey was designed so that you, our members, could tell us what you think about Who Cares? Scotland’s current membership offer and what we could do to improve it.

Thank you to those of you who took part. Your opinion maters to us and it’s important that we hear from you on every day issues, achievements and how you want your organisation to grow and develop in a way that is representative of care experienced people. More than ever, we are committed to listening and involving you in our work.

Here’s what we found out: Key findings • Over 50% of you said you were proud of being Care Experienced • 57% of you said you definitely feel listened to by Who Cares? Scotland • 43% of you said you definitely feel you belong to the Who Cares? Scotland family • 92% of you would recommend being a member of Who Cares? Scotland

These figures are pretty good, but it is our aim to ensure more of you feel a sense of connection and belonging.

We have spent 2018 trying to create spaces for our members where these feelings are encouraged.

You had some fantastic suggestions as to how we could improve our current membership offer, we picked the three most popular to deliver.

Priority Actions

1. Create an annual calendar of events which will be made available to all members.

2. Include a list of local groups available in the Membership Welcome Pack.

3. Improve our website for our Members.

Some of these actions are already underway; the Renfrewshire team have produced a flyer for the groups available in their area, which will be included in each new Renfrewshire member’s pack and right now, our IT team are developing the Who Cares? Scotland website Membership pages. Exciting!

We hope you feel listened to and are pleased with the actions we are taking.

Look out for 2019’s survey which will be launched soon.

We hope to hear from even more of you this year.

Remember it’s your membership.

The Membership Team x W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

Fiona Checks In Hello Speak Out readers!

I

hope you are really well and that you enjoyed the recent Care Day activities. Who Cares? Scotland invited me to the Glasgow event and it was great to meet new people there and see so many familiar faces. Care Day goes from strength to strength each year and is such a fantastic celebration. The whole team at Who Cares? Scotland put so much energy and passion into making it a very special day and the Care Review team were really honoured to be involved.

On that same weekend, the Care Review’s Participation Hub was launched and I really hope that you will get involved in the activities and events taking place over the

year ahead. Thanks to everyone who helped on the day and/or exhibited participation work and HUGE thanks to everyone who came along to find out more about ways to get involved in the Care Review.

Very recently, the Care Review’s website was updated with information about the Hub and over the year more information will be posted on what’s happening all around the country. The 1000 Voices team who work closely with the Care Review are helping make sure that as many people can get involved in lots of different ways and have their voice heard. If you have ideas about what you think the Care Review should be doing please let the team know.

Over the last few months, lots of thinking has gone into what topics the Care Review would like to know your views on and the sorts of questions to ask you. If you take part through in the Care Review - your thoughts, experiences and voice - will influence and shape the work, findings and ultimately the final recommendations. So please do stay involved, and if you haven’t yet, it is not too late.

Please keep in touch and follow the Care Review on:https://www.carereview.scot/review-news/ https://twitter.com/TheCareReview https://www.instagram.com/carereviewscot/ https://www.facebook.com/IndependentCareReview/ -review/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-care 20

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

This makes sure that the things that matter to you, matter to the Care Review. The conversations about love are continuing and if you haven’t already read the fantastic blog by Rosie Moore who co-chairs the Love work group then please do check it out. Rosie talks beautifully about how important love and nurturing relationships are for children and young people who experience care. There is also information about a call out for people to get involved in these conversations in lots of creative ways. If you would like to help the Care Review understand what needs to happen to make sure that people who experience care feel loved then you can send a drawings, painting, photography, poetry, a song or rap to share what love means to you. I am really looking forward to seeing your creations!

Lived experience of the ‘care system’ is at the heart of the Care Review and my hope is that when the Review has completed its work there will be an army of voices who continue to be heard by the people and organisations that are involved in caring for infants, children and young people in the future – and that you will continue to be part of that army!

So until the next time,

Fiona

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

INTRODUCING THE CARE REVIEW PARTICIPATION HUB!

The Participation Hub Launch O

n Saturday 16th February, the Independent Care Review and 1000 Voices launched the Participation Hub! Held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Participation Hub team were joined by Co-Chairs of the Care Review work groups and exhibitors from care experienced groups in Perth, Dundee, Inverclyde, South Ayrshire and more.

There were also brilliant workshops led by the Sound Lab (who knew you could make music with bananas!?) and art therapy provided by The Teapot Trust.

The launch event provided lots of exhibitions spaces to show how everyone can get involved in the Care Review. Whether you want to contribute as an individual, as part of a group, or through a relationship you hold with a worker, the Care Review want to hear your views, in whatever format works for you. The exhibition gave the opportunity to groups and organisations to share their projects and work with the CoChairs and discuss why they believe it’s important for the Care Review to hear about this work. The exhibitions were incredible and varied – there were films, raps, photography, artwork, beautiful pieces of writing and so much more! The groups represented a wide range of care experienced voices, including voices from care leavers, Champions Boards, and care experienced people in prison.

The Co-Chairs were also interviewed by the amazing Murron from Perth and Simone from Glasgow and spoke about why they are involved with the Care Review and what each of their work groups are focusing on. You’ll hear more

from the Co-Chairs in future issues of Speak Out… watch this space!

Events like this are a great opportunity for individuals and groups to showcase their work and get to talk directly to the people involved in the Care Review. The Co-Chairs also benefit hugely from the chance to speak to care experienced people directly and this helps to inform the work that they do. Events like this will be happening around the country over the next year so keep an eye out on social media to see how you can get involved in a place near you!

Whether you want to contribute as an individual, as part of a group, or through a relationship you hold with a worker, the Care Review want to hear your views, in whatever format works for you.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

My Refl This article discusses things that might be difficult to read about, such as abuse. If you are experiencing any of these issues or feel affected by this article, please get in touch with a trusted adult or have a look on the back page of this magazine and speak to your local advocate.

D

o you ever feel like you don’t belong? Or like you don’t know what’s right anymore? Sometimes I feel it’s better to keep silent than to tell others what you feel, because it hurts when you realise they don’t understand. Sometimes someone hurts you so badly, it stops hurting until something makes you feel it again and then it all comes back, every word, every agonising stab of pain, every moment of misery.

I never really thought much about my life until recently. People see the outside picture, the thin covering between appearance and reality, but will anyone ever really know or care what my life has been?

Everyone in life experiences fear at some point, for many different reasons. There are different responses to fear; forget everything and run or face it and rise. For me I couldn’t face my fear, I couldn’t even run, my fear was bigger than anything, it just kept growing and growing, I could not outrun it.

Imagine being removed from your parents, moved about to other

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People see the outside picture, the thin covering between appearance and reality, but will anyone ever really know or care what my life has been? homes, split up from your brother and then getting placed with a socalled perfect family.

I trembled with fear, slowly putting my sweaty clammy hand on the door handle, attempting to go inside, my body was shaking with fear. I took a deep breath and opened the door, I was then filled with relief, no one was in, a heavy weight was lifted off my shoulders and I could relax. This so called perfect family was far from a

normal family. As night approached, I sat quietly on my bed listening to every sound, the waves of the wind, the screeching of doors, the sound of car brakes being slammed. The front door opened with a loud bang. I felt a lump in my throat and shut my eyes wishing it would all go away but it was too late for wishing. My bedroom door swung open and a heavy cold hand grabbed me.

Nothing was how it was supposed to be and a heavy sadness filled my soul. I felt unseen, unheard, and unwanted, if I was anything at all. I found that the darkest days of my life kept coming, it seemed like it was always night time, long nights full of nightmares, never morning. You wonder why, but mostly you try not to think at all. You try to survive.

All of that other stuff that other children want seems like nothing compared to just wanting to be safe.

At first, I thought it was normal. That it happend in every household. Then I thought it would

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

flections Sabrina, 16

stop, eventually. I kept saying to myself, “give it time they will come around, they will maybe even love you, you just have to prove yourself first”. Every person has good in them, right? Sometimes it just takes time to see it, however in this case, there was no good left in this so called perfect family. It was gone.

I felt sad, hurt, angry and disappointed but I decided to put on a smile. It will still hurt but I will survive. After years, I got used to it, but I knew I couldn’t live like that anymore. I didn’t want what

You wonder why, but mostly you try not to think at all. You try to survive

Feet safely planted, roots starting to grow, little buds of hope formed, slowly attempting to trust this new life. had happened to me happening to anyone else. I had to protect my sister and my niece and it was becoming impossible to do that. It was becoming harder to hide, I had to do something but I didn’t know if I would be safe if I did or if my sister would.

I had heard plenty of promises but sooner or later they all proved to be empty. When you have been let down so many times it tends to make trusting people hard, but sometimes you just have to have some trust in others.

I eventually got myself together and realised that what went on shouldn’t have, and I spoke up for my sister and my future. If I hadn’t who knows what my future would have been like or if I would even have had one.

Slowly the seasons changed, and it seemed like maybe this time my world would settle and the security blanket wouldn’t be pulled out from under me. Feet safely planted, roots starting to grow, little buds of hope formed, slowly attempting to trust this new life. The hardest thing is to believe that things are fine, because I know from experience that nothing stays fine for long. I am at a stage where I don’t even trust my own feelings.

I can’t see how I can move on to a new path when I don’t trust where my feet are stepping. Maybe one day I’ll feel normal, I won’t always be “the one”. Maybe I’ll have that family who will hug me and be strong for me, because maybe I can’t do it all by myself.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

It’s time you The Care Coll W

ho Cares? Scotland believes in the power of individual and collective voice. This is how we have achieved meaningful and lasting change for all Care Experienced people. Our members have secured a change in the age at which young people can remain in care, the introduction of the Care Experienced bursary and the announcement of a Root and Branch review of care.

Our approach has always been to amplify the voice of care experienced individuals and groups and ensure it is heard by the most powerful people.

Our vision is for a lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people. We believe that

there has never been a more powerful moment to achieve this vision. Care Experienced people have told us that they want to be part of change and that they want to take control of their own narrative.

That’s why we have launched The Collective. This group, made up entirely of Care Experienced people, will be responsible for: • Delivering the vision of a Lifetime of Equality, Respect & Love.

• Speaking out on behalf of Who Cares? Scotland’s members.

• Influencing decision makers at a global and national level.

David Anderson, Collective Member I listened, I learned, I had passionate conversations around the current inadequacies and what the future should look like.

“I recently participated in the first residential weekend of The Collective. A group of forty people from across three generations, who have experience of the so-called care system in Scotland. We are intent on putting forth a vision of a care system that has been designed through consultation with the wider Care Experienced community.

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Our ideas are borne out of experiencing the adversity of a system designed to make it unnecessarily difficult for people in care to get the care and support that they need.

We have begun a journey to design support that provides the necessary love to help Care Experienced young people realise their own potential.

Within the group of forty, I was impressed by the diversity of Care Experience and the desire to see real change. We want complete change in those areas that have long since proven themselves to be inadequate – risk-averse practice, postcode lottery support, sibling separation, education, unnecessary placements, unnecessary paperwork etc. The list goes on. More

importantly everyone wanted love to be at the centre of the system.

Not just on paper, as written down in policy documents, but in every action taken concerning the very real lives of people in care.

The journey has begun, and the will is there to design and demand the change needed. It has been fifty

years or so since the last major change to the care system. The Kilbrandon report revolutionised the way in which care was both understood and implemented. Lots has gone wrong since then, not least the decision not to employ social educators for the role of working with the community as suggested in the report. Given everything we have learned in the decades since Kilbrandon, it is more than obvious that relationships are the central point to all work undertaken, only through meaningful relationships

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

heard about lective can we come together to plot a positive path forward. This must

be the focus of change, placing relationships at the heart of the system, because relationships exist within the heart, and the heart is exactly where love lives.

The experience of the weekend was both enriching and emotional. I was emotional at hearing others and some of their negative experiences. Certain conversations triggered memories that brought feelings of sadness and blame. Though each conversation was a further verification that these experiences were to be used in the quest for positive change. There was no wallowing, experiences were validated and then it was all about the future. It was enriching to be amongst so many people with Care Experience and a desire to change the

experience of future generations. It was the first time I had been in a setting specifically designed to be a positive experience for a group of Care Experienced people. It was a powerful feeling to know that my voice and every other voice is now amplified immeasurably in comparison to one individual voice. We plan to make that collective voice heard in all the right places.

One of the best things about the weekend for me was the sight of so many younger people speaking with a real knowledge of the issues surrounding the care system. From

the very, very personal through to the structural and organisational, these young people are well armed with the knowledge and will power to meet this challenge. Further to that,

they have the confidence to make it happen, the confidence to share their own, sometimes extremely traumatic experiences, to meet with those in positions of power who are responsible for the way things are and have been over these decades, to challenge the status quo, to support each other and give everyone their space to contribute. I wish I was like them at that age. I wish I had been supported, like they have, to develop their skills and knowledge. I won’t accept any less for the current and next generations. As mentioned often throughout the weekend and agreed on by everyone present – the time is now.”

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

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What’s HOT NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

& What’s NOT

21 Pilots M

y friend Zoe from school asked me if I wanted to go to see 21 Pilots with her. She had got two tickets for her birthday. I said “heck ya”. I was so excited, as I love 21 Pilots. In case you don’t know, 21 Pilots are an American band from Ohio. Tyler is the lead vocalist whilst Josh plays the drums, I decided to get my nails done black and yellow to match their first album cover and I bought a jacket that’s similar to one the band members wear. My friend Zoe, inspired by their other album, wore a red and black t-shirt with a red beanie. When we arrived, we headed straight to the merchandise stall of course, I got a t-shirt and a bandanna.

At the start of the concert, Tyler had a torch and set a car on fire on stage, it was so cool! We were so excited for it to start! In the middle

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of their first song the place went pitch black and Tyler disappeared, the next minute as the lights came up, he was at the very top of the arena. We had no idea how he got there so fast, it was epic!

They played 21 songs, it was the BEST concert ever I have ever been too! At one point a bridge came down from the ceiling and Tyler walked across it to another stage.

Then Josh walked by everyone down to the standing area. I wish I had been in the standing area! The last song was amazing, there were strobe lights, confetti everywhere and balloons. The atmosphere was amazing. I would recommend that everyone to go see them!

ELLIE 5 OUT OF 5 STARS

5

Ellie, 15

NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

The Clan Emma McQueen , Assistant Editor & Advocate

I

’m a huge ice hockey fan and I go to see my team, The Glasgow Clan, play most weekends at the Braehead Arena.

The atmosphere is amazing, and I wanted my young people to take part in this electric experience, so I decided to take them along to a game.

After speaking with The Clan, a very kind representative from the team offered tickets to the members of TNT (Today Not Tomorrow), the North Lanarkshire Champions Board.

We attended the match on the 27th January to watch The Glasgow Clan take on Guildford Flames.

Thousands of fans pack the Braehead Arena each week to see their club play other teams from around the UK. The Clan have an Official Supporters Club who are dedicated and die-hard fans who attend every game.

The Official Supporters Club sit in the corner of the arena and they are responsible for leading the fans in their support. Each game they attend, they bring flags, banners and drums. The drummers lead the fans in their supportive chants for the home team.

The Clans team colours are black, purple and white.

Everywhere you look is a sea of fans dressed in purple clothing and their Clan hockey jerseys and hats. A lot of fans also wear the kit of their favourite American and Canadian ice hockey teams. My favourite American ice hockey team are the Boston Bruins and so I wear my Bruins hat to any ice hockey games I attend. It’s a great way to support your team and show your passion for the sport you love.

Our seats were situated right behind the home goal and so we got to see the players up close! At one point the opposing team performed a slap shot to goals (a very fast and high-powered shot), which bounced off the edge of the glass we were sat behind! The last thing we wanted were broken noses, so we were very lucky the net covered us above the glass!

The Clan have a team mascot named ‘Clangus’, a highland cow dressed in a hockey jersey!

He dances to the music played during the games and has pictures taken with the fans. I spoke with Clangus and we managed to get a picture with him! He eventually followed us to our seats, hugged us all and spent some time with us while dancing up and down the stairs.

As a little, extra surprise for the members of TNT, I arranged a shout out for them during the game. The members were very excited to hear their Champions Board mentioned in front of 2,780 people!

The game was very fast paced, and both teams played very well. The game was a tie at 2 each and so went to sudden death. Unfortunately, The Glasgow Clan were beaten 3-2 by Guildford Flames but the game was very exciting none the less!

TNT are now looking forward to watching their next match soon!

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

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ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

IN IT TO WIN IT… O

nce you’ve completed the IN IT TO WIN IT PAGE please return it to your Who Cares? Scotland APW or send it to Who Cares? Scotland, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow, G1 4QR by Friday 8th June 2018 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice.

Finish the Lyrics What if we rewrite the stars?

Say you were made to be mine Nothing could keep us apart

Guess the film What favourite Easter film is this?

al

Guess the object

Up close & person

What sweet objects are commonly ‘hunted’ by children at Easter time?

Tell us what you think these zoomed in objects are.

1.

2.

3.

Trivia What type of newly hatched bird is a symbol of Easter?

YOUR NAME: AGE: PHONE: WC?S WORKER: RETURN YOUR ENTRIES TO: WHO CARES? SCOTLAND, 1st Floor, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow G1 4QR.

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H LAST ISSUES WIN NERS ARE: Kaisha-Jayne Wiltshire (17) Wesley Woodcock (1 3) Courtney Clark (17) James Nicholson (19)

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ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

JUST FOR FUN…

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Can you find the words below?

CHOCOLATE EGG GAMES LAMB SPRING DAFFODIL FRIENDS GRASS RABBIT SUNSHINE EASTER FUN HUNT RELATIONSHIP

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NEWS & EVENTS SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

R O I N U J O S nger Buddy the Bear loves finding out what our you him know! members have been up to! Make sure you let

The Wee Diamonds T

he Diamonds meet every second Wednesday in the Tannahill Centre in Paisley. It is for primary school aged children. Phone the Renfrewshire team to find out more.

At the group this month we have been talking about…

Who is our favourite person?

“My Nana” “My teacher” “My sister” “My best friend at school” “Our foster carer” Where is our favourite place?

“My bed” “My carers car” “My bedroom” “The library” “The park” “MacDonald’s”

Keeping Fit with Blake This is Blake. He is 9 years old.

Blake wants to be fit and healthy.

So he cycled almost 11 miles round Millport on the isle of Cumbrae.

Blake was given a certificate for his achievement.

Well done Blake!

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We did arts and crafts to draw and make the people that help us and the places we feel safe.

We had Lego to make the spaces we like to go and we made some great dens.

We even made biscuits to look like our favourite people, then we ate them!

M

embers of East Renfrewshire’s Mini-Champs group were delighted to attend the GlasGLOW event in Glasgow’s beautiful Botanical Gardens on November 6th courtesy of ITISON’S great generosity.

The Minichamps, members from Renfrewshire, as well as a family receiving advocacy in Ayrshire joined thousands of children and families to enjoy a dazzling lightshow experience.

A typically drizzly night (yup it is Scotland after all) did nothing to dampen the kid’s spirits as they wandered the park taking in its lights, sights and wonders. There was a creepy graveyard with the ghostly tree swing and the chilling sound of invisible children singing nursery rhymes; a spider den with neon spiders leaping from tree to tree; a talking oak with the world’s worst jokes; and the dragon pen, complete with smoke, flames and dragon farts galore.

Throw in a marshmallow toasting pit and spectacular sound and light show to finish and a great night was had by all.

A giant thank you goes out to ITISON, who kindly donated complimentary tickets for the evening and were incredibly helpful from start to finish.

NEWSSO & EVENTS JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2019

The Inverclyde Mini Champs take over the Greenock Police Station!

In February the Inverclyde Mini Champs group, along with some of the Proud2Care group, went on a visit to the Greenock Police Station to meet some police officers and go on a tour of the station.

We arrived at the Police Station and met Laura and Kirsty, the Police Officers who would be taking us on our tour.

First, we visited the cells. We got to see what life would be like for a prisoner being held within the station.

We also learned about finger printing and DNA testing – this can help the police catch criminals when they leave behind evidence at a crime scene!

After visiting the cells, we went down to the CCTV control room where we got to look at all of the CCTV cameras that were filming live across Greenock.

There were so many places to look at!

We then moved outside and see one of the many police cars the Greenock Police Station had in their car park.

We got to sit inside the car and play with the lights, as well as see the equipment the police carry in their car to keep them safe. It was really cool. We finished off the tour with a demonstration of all of the equipment a police officer has to carry and wear.

Laura and Kirsty let us try on some of their uniforms as well as showing us their hand cuffs, police batons and stab-proof vests.

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How was your trip Mini Champs?

Louise: “We had a tour of the police station. My favourite bit was the CCTV.” Olivia: “We seen a dog in the CCTV area. My favourite bit was looking at the cameras.”

Kaitlyn: “My favourite bit was going in the cells or the car.”

Jordan: “We got a tour of the station.

We seen a lot but my favourite bit was the cells.”

Thanks for having us Laura and Kirsty!

The Inverclyde Mini Champs group is a group for 8 – 12year olds who meet every 2nd Wednesday from 4.30pm-6pm to talk about lots of different topics and take part in loads of fun activities. The group is run by Shannon Howie (a Who Cares? Scotland advocate), Dylan Forsythe (a Who Cares?

Scotland Participation assistant) and Jennifer McGhee (a kinship worker in Inverclyde).

d i D e h S s e Y h O Brodie, 10 M

y name is Brodie and I am 10 years old. I love going to drama and dancing classes. Recently I preformed in two shows, one was called Winter Wonderland and the other show was called Aladdin. My part in Aladdin was the Grand Viser. The Dame was David. He was really funny and he made me laugh. We all had a great time. I’m looking forward to next year’s panto.

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