Spring 2020

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

SPRING 2020

Turn to pages 12-15 to read about Who Cares? Scotland’s response to the Coronavirus crisis and what support we can offer you.

PLUS!

QUIZ PAGES, SO JUNIOR AND THE CONCLUSION OF THE CARE REVIEW

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

Welcome to the latest is s ...

Check out what’s inside

Welcome to the Spring 2020 issue of SpeakOut! What a strange time we find ourselves in at the start of 2020. Firstly, I want to send you all big hugs from the Editorial Team and the rest of Who Cares?

Scotland, we are thinking of you all and hope you are coping with living in lockdown. Go to pages 12-15 for our coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, including our response and how we can help you during this difficult time, plus some useful signposting.

If you’re after a distraction, head to the Quiz Pages (24-25) where you could win a £25 voucher of your choice. We will come out the other side of this crisis and when we do, we must remember the recommendations that were made by the Care Review for a better care system (16-17) and demand they are acted upon. You can also read Mitch’s heart-warming story about the power of music (6-7) and catch up on all the ways we celebrated the Care Experienced community on Care Day back in February (9-11).

We know this is a scary and confusing time, but we hope this issue of SpeakOut contains things that will make you smile.

Remember, you are not alone. We’re still here, and we will get through this together.

The SpeakOut Editorial Team x

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Inside this issue 2-3

Welcome Pages

LIFESTYLE 4 5

6-7

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Celebrating You Meet the Newest Member of the SpeakOut Team Small Opportunities Can Lead to Big Adventures Meet Your Local Officer

NEWS & EVENTS 9-11 Care Day 2020: From Aberdeen to

the Western Isles 12-13 YoungScot Coronavirus Information 14-15 Who Cares? Scotland’s Response to COVID-19 16-17 The Conclusion of the Care Review 18 The First Minister Comes for Team 19 Introducing the WC?S Board of 2020 20-21 Meet our Board Members

ENTERTAINMENT 22 Project Return Choir 23 Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles?

24-25 Quiz Pages

SO Junior 16

23

26-27 SO Junior 28

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Contact Page

sue of SpeakOut

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

Meet the Editorial Team

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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 2020

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. membership@whocare

sscotl

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

BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards

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CE (Aberdeen Care Experienced) works closely with loads of partners across Aberdeen and when the BBC decided to broadcast one of the biggest sporting awards in the world from Aberdeen, our amazing supporters at Sport Aberdeen managed to grab tickets fort us!

12 ACE young people attended along with Aberdeen City Council’s Virtual Head Teacher who volunteered to help out and Who Cares? Scotland Development Officer Peter Melrose who organised it. “It’s a great example of how we can all come together and make amazing experiences for Care Experienced people”, said Peter. “This happened thanks to BBC, BBC Scotland, Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council”, he said.

“We had amazing seats, better than I though we would”, said Sarah. “I had the best time, we don’t get much chance to see great stuff and do really good things like this”.

“It was a great chance to dress up and it was so exciting seeing all the celebrities” said Tanera.

“I have wanted to see Lewis Capaldi for so long, and we got to see him perform two songs… brilliant!” said Maddie.

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Make Yourself Heard O

n the 7th of February the East Lothian Champions Board held a fun event in partnership with East Lothian Council and InControl Scotland. The event was aimed at care experienced children and young people in East Lothian to come along and share their views on care.

The consultations with young people will be used to influence the new corporate parenting plan for the Council. There were lots of fun activities like a photobooth, smoothie bike, face painter, massage therapist, badge making, Lego and planting flowers.

WC?S Down Under

At the end of 2019, Bobby Jo applied for the opportunity to travel to Australia and attend a conference for care experienced people as an ambassador for Who Cares? Scotland.

My favourite part of Australia was the Create conference because it is such an amazing space for care experienced people to come together and have their voices heard. Feeling comfortable enough to share your experience in front of professionals is such a huge thing.

Personally, it was such an amazing opportunity for me to share my story. During the conference, my colleague Callum also spoke about his experience of care and how he became the person he is today. This made me feel very proud to call him a friend.

The funniest part of Australia was when Callum and me visited the butterfly room, here Callum discovered he was scared of the butterflies landing on him. I was a little less proud of him then!

During our time in Melbourne we explored a lot, we went to museums and saw some art, we went to the beach where they had these brightly painted huts - they made a nice background for our Instagram stories, as you can see! It was over too soon, but I’m really grateful to WC?S for the opportunity!

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Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE SPEAKOUT TEAM...

H

i, my name’s Damien and I’m excited to be a new member of the Speakout Editorial Team.

Like many of you reading this, I went through the care system before discovering Who Cares? Scotland.

I learned of WC?S later than most, only realising they existed last year when I was 23, through my foster brother Darren. Without him I would likely never have known that this organisation existed, or about the great work it endeavours to do for so many people who have been placed in situations outside their control.

Darren got in touch with WC?S on my behalf, without even telling me.

I had recently been rejected from a teaching course at University and while I had accepted that decision, Darren felt I needed support in trying to understand and overturn the University’s decision. I didn’t expect much when I came in to meet the Lifelong Opportunities team, I didn’t really even want to be there.

In the end, nothing could be done about the university rejection, but I had been introduced to the organisation and felt welcomed by everyone there. I got the real impression that people cared, and they offered to help me job hunt as I’d never had a job before. They helped me write my CV and practiced interview techniques with me. They even gave me a job during the summer where I worked on reception in the National Office in Glasgow for a couple of months whilst I finished my uni course. It was quite daunting for me, it was my first job, and one

where I had to get to know a lot of new people quickly and be able to talk to them, which is something I’m still working on to this day.

Everyone was very welcoming and encouraging, and I enjoyed myself when I hadn’t expected to like working very much, in fact I actually liked it so much that after I finished my uni course, I came back and applied for a more permanent position! I’m working on reception for the foreseeable future and am still very much enjoying

being here. I’m looking forward to getting more involved in other areas of work beyond my admin duties, like SpeakOut for instance.

As part of the SpeakOut Editorial Team, I hope to be able to bring another unique care experienced perspective to the production of this magazine, as well as have the chance to use those experiences and the skills I have to keep Speakout going strong.

If you want to know more about what the Who Cares? Scotland Lifelong Opportunities Team can do for you, please email Ruby – rlawrence@whocaresscotland.org Plus make sure you like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all our latest member opportunities.

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak 2019 SpeakOut OutMagazine Magazine||SUMMER SPRING 2020

n e v d a big Small opportunities can lead to

Mitchell Leslie, 18

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y name is Mitch and I am care experienced. My siblings and I were some of the first young people through the door at the opening of Clachnaharry (the building where the Who Cares? Scotland groups run in Inverness). We didn’t know what to expect but it seemed like a friendly place to hang out and the pizza dinners were good! I think my Mum enjoyed the short break too and she pointed out that it was one night a week she did not have to cook us dinner! We didn’t realise then that WC?S was to become such a big part of our lives and what amazing opportunities would stem from the time we spent there.

When I was young, I used to relax by listening to my amazing crofting foster carers play traditional music on the pipes, bodhran and fiddle. Their home on Skye seemed to be full of people having fun and dancing to Ceilidh music in the evenings. They say music is good for the soul and it definitely helped us all back then apart from my wee brother’s horrendous obsession with a didgeridoo, which had apparently been left behind by some passing tourist!

In primary school I took up the chanter and slowly progressed to the pipes - my family didn't always enjoy the experience! Then I heard about the collaboration between Highland Champs and Feis Rois, who enable people of all ages to participate and enjoy traditional arts and Gaelic language and music. I was invited to come and join in with their music group at and I jumped at the chance.

The sessions were informal, super friendly and so supportive. The tutors were accepting of the different challenges the group faced and they never saw us as anything other than a group of young people who enjoyed music. I still look forward to attending each week!

With support from Fiona Dalgetty, the Chief Executive at Feis Rois, I was privileged to gain Abby Arkotxa as a sponsor for my Highland and small piping progression.

I attended 2 Far North retreats, staying in Abby’s stunning 5 star Lodge at Cape Wrath and her beautiful

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farmhouse at Balquidder, where all my expenses were covered by Abby and her amazing family.

I have had a great many different types of ‘carers’ in my life, but the role played by Abby and Fiona cannot be underestimated and I can only say thank you to them both. Through my music, I try to be the best advocate and role model for young people with care experience as I can.

I was lucky to be selected to work with Feis Rois again, in the summer of 2019, and got to perform under canvas at Eden Court. From there, I travelled to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where I was asked to write a piece of reflective pipe music based on my experiences, whilst learning about the global impact of mass migration and learning about sustainable

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. . . s e r u t n

development goals, which could be shared on my return with the other groups.

The project work we did with Amnesty International during the week was intense.

We learned first-hand about the experiences of migrants who were fleeing violence and oppression. They spoke of their hopes for the future and of course what they had left behind them. There were some topics I could relate to in my own life, and other conversations that left

me staggered thinking about how many people were dying or being rescued just off the island. My trip coincided with the 13th anniversary of the tragic death of 368 people. Their ship had sunk just off the coast of Lampedusa. Many of the people were from Eritrea - a country many in Scotland have not even heard of.

Every year on the date the boat went down, local communities, aid workers, Sea Watch Rescue teams and family members of those who were lost, unite and march across the cliff top to remember those who have lost their lives trying to cross into Europe. I felt humbled to have been asked to pipe at this very personal event. We then travelled by boat to the site of the wreck and lay wreaths. Again, I was asked to pipe which was both an honour and very overwhelming. I met so many different types of people on my journey.

The experience of being on Lampedusa will stay with me for the rest of my life.

This year’s Burns night I had the opportunity to pipe in the haggis for the Highland Migrant and Refugee Advocacy in Inverness which brought people who have been through so much, together for a meal and a chance to experience their own new Highland culture.

As each of the families came into the hall from the cold, dark night, I could see they were carrying their own contribution to the meal, wrapped neatly in foil.

It was their own way of belonging and being part of something. This time I was asked to pipe in celebration.

An opportunity to bring people together through music.

Positive opportunity is something which many young people with care experience still miss out on. I see it first-hand as a foster sibling. I often wonder whether I’ve just been lucky to be given the opportunities I’ve had. It shouldn’t be about luck. Everyone knows that there is still a long way to go in changing the care system. But with inspirational people, such as Abbey Arkotxa, who see the potential in care experienced young people, there is hope for the future. For we are destined for great things when we are gifted time, equality, respect and love.

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Speak 2019 SpeakOut OutMagazine Magazine||SUMMER SPRING 2020

Meet PC Porter W

ho Cares? Scotland constantly strive to better the relationships between the Care Experienced community and their Corporate Parents. Awareness raising, training and open communication is at the heart of moving forward positively with your Corporate Parents.

Over the last while, we have been working hard with Police Scotland to breakdown barriers and build lasting relationships between the Care Experienced community and Officers. Our new feature titled; ‘Meet your local Officer’, gives space for

passionate Officers who we believe champion the Care Experienced community, a place to introduce themselves and show how they are changing the culture within their organisation.

We would like you to meet PC Porter. PC Porter is a local Officer within Glasgow who we feel demonstrates a passion for the Care Experienced community and someone who believes in the work Who Cares?

Scotland are doing to ensure a lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced people.

I believe that everyone deserves to be listened to and treated fairly, regardless of their situation. I have met many Care Experienced people in many different situations both in and out of care. I’ve always found listening to them and showing empathy is never a bad thing. Even just appreciating that ‘that sucks’ can do a world of good. Every action someone makes is for a reason and I feel that part of my job is to understand why people do things, not just to understand what has happened and to point the finger. It is important to advocate for those in care or with Care Experience because there is a stereotype that needs to be broken. A stereotype that blames those in care and says that all their problems exist because they have done something wrong. Too many people cast aside real issues as silly problems because it is a child raising them. Any issue, large or small, addressed early enough stops it from becoming a tidal wave in a person’s life in later years. For Police Scotland, I believe positive interactions will benefit not only the wider community and the young person themselves but Police Scotland as an organisation.

PC Porter, Cathcart

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Care Day SUMMER2020 2019 Speak Out Magazine | SPRING

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

s le Is rn te es W e th to n ee d From Aber

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are Day, the international celebration of care experienced people, takes place each February across Scotland and the world, falling this year on the 21st February. It was first organised by Who Cares? Scotland and looks to raise awareness and understanding of the care community and celebrates the talents of care experienced people.

Who Cares? Scotland joined with other organisations across the UK, Become (England), EPIC (Ireland), VOYPIC (Northern Ireland) and Voices From Care (Wales), to call on the UN to designate Care Day as the International Day of Care Experienced People.

Across the country, from Aberdeen to the Western Isles, our care experienced family and their supporters came together in celebration to mark this special day.

Aberdeen

His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen was lit up red and an event was held with food and games to promote opportunities for Care Experienced people.

Glasgow

First Minister’s Visit: To kick start Care Day, the First Minister visited our Glasgow office to take part in discussions with members, on the history of the care system and its future. The FMs visit was unfortunately interrupted by an untimely fire alarm but she promised to attend our Members’ Assembly, being held later that day, to finish off her Q&A session, so all was not lost!

Discussion with Richard Leonard: We then welcomed Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard to the office. After speaking with members, Richard explained he backed our cause and spoke of his belief that care experienced people should be supported by all political parties. He even said he would like to visit this year’s summer camp - so you can look out for him there!

Continues ov erleaf...

Carelidh: With the support of CYPCS, we brought the day to a close with our annual Carelidh in Glasgow at the lovely Pollokshields Burgh Hall.

This dance was attended by over 180 care experienced people and their supporters.

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Care Day Highland

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

Continued...

For Care Day this year, our members in Highland celebrated by having a party at Eden Court. Young people, carers and corporate parents dusted off their dancing shoes and met for a celebration complete with face painter, disco and photobooth. Earlier in the day, the brand new Highland Champs flag was raised above the Highland Council headquarters building and the leisure centre. The council also lit up the Highland bridge and the Bishop’s Palace. It was an evening full of dancing, fun, a few lost helium balloons, a conga line and lots of love and laughter!

Thank you to everyone in Highland who came together to create such a beautiful evening.

Moray The following Monday we had another small celebration to celebrate the work of Highland Champs’ Leadership Group and were joined by Maree Todd, Minister for Children and Young People.

The group went to Eden Court to watch a special screening of ‘Instant Family’ and also presented Maree with a copy of their priorities for change to care in Highland. A great review from young people about the movie and a lovely shout out on Twitter from Maree afterwards about the Leadership Group work made for a fantastic evening!

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Care Day in Moray was kicked off with our annual raising of the Care Experience flag over the council building in Elgin. Our younger group ‘Little Fix’ had been nominated to raise the flag this year and they did so alongside the chief executive of the council amid the ceremonial refrain of the bagpipes. This was followed by our Champions Boards Event at Moray College UHI where the Health and Well Being pillar was the main focus. The event was opened with a presentation from ‘Little Fix’ on the Better Meetings Project, which has been ongoing since October 2019, and seen 21 young people contribute their voice on what needs to be improved. For a group of nine young folk, between the ages of 7-15, to present this work to a conference room full of people was an impressive achievement. After this presentation, there was an hour for interaction with the various Health and Well Being services available to our young people.

Care Day is one of the special events in the yearly calendar and it feels wonderful that this has taken root in Moray as a collaborative celebration involving a wide range of partners and a growing number of young people.

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North Lanarkshire

The Crafty Foxes made a Care Day family tree. The leaves are how they feel about being care experienced and the hand prints are those in their care family.

The North Lanarkshire Civic Centre was lit up in red to show their support.

Police Scotland

Police Scotland celebrated by looking at how to re-imagine their practice and releasing a video they had made with some of our members from North and South Lanarkshire.

South Lanarkshire

South Lanarkshire Council showed their support by flying a Care Day flag, launching the champs board recruitment and announcing the Care Experienced Cup.

Renfrewshire

Paisley Museum got Care Experienced people involved in re-imagining.

South Ayrshire South Ayrshire celebrated by sharing quotes from local Corporate Parents of their commitment to young people.

Western Isles (Eilean Siar)

In the Western Isles, Care Day was extra special, with the launch of a brand new young people’s hub in Stornoway Town Hall. The launch of the hub marks a new step for the young people and the partners involved and was accompanied by the first flying of the new Western Isles Care Flag, which has been designed by care experienced young people and their peers.

The flag is being flown to symbolise the power of the voices of the young people themselves, but also to project the fact that Care Day is a time for the whole community to show its support.

Flowers= the blossoming of their potential Footsteps= their care journey The hub, which is supported by a range of partners from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, reflects the importance of

creating spaces that young people feel they can shape as their own, where they can develop skills and confidence, and really build a sense of belonging and ownership. It’s going to be a real partnership based space, where group participatory opportunities and individual support for care experienced and other young people in the Western Isles takes place.

While nationally the work of Who Cares? Scotland focuses on care experienced people, in the Western Isles, their remit is even broader, with Alison Frizell, APW for the islands, working alongside and supporting not only young people and children with experience of care, but a wide range of young people who may also benefit from Who Cares? Scotland’s services.

Care Day 2020 is also significant because it took place just as Scotland’s Independent Care Review announced

its recommendations. Paul Sullivan, Participation, Policy and Influencing Manager with the Independent Care Review Secretariat, spent Care Day in Stornoway, speaking with young people, professionals, corporate parents, and carers about what is being proposed by the Review for the future of care in Scotland.

It feels like a really significant year for the Western Isles and its young people. The Western Isles is very much on the map, with young people leading the way. And that’s all within an exciting nationwide context that will be shaping how we provide the best possible care for our children and young people in the years to come.

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Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

CORONAVIRUS Our friends at Young Scot have collected some useful information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to look after your mental health during this crisis. To read more you can visit the page on their website: www.young.scot/campaigns/national/coronavirus

What is Coronavirus?

The current Coronavirus outbreak, or COVID-19 as it’s officially known, was first detected in China in December 2019, but has since spread to many countries including the UK. Coronavirus is a group of infectious diseases that range from a common cold to a much more serious illness that affects your lungs and breathing. It makes people unwell, and in some cases, has led to serious illness and death.

Who is most at risk of coronavirus?

Like many other flu-like viruses, coronavirus will have more severe symptoms in people who already have weakened immune systems, in older people, and people who have long-term health conditions like cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

What can I do to protect myself and others against coronavirus?

As of Tuesday 24th March, strict new curbs on life were introduced by the Scottish and UK governments. People may only leave home to exercise once a day, travel to and from work when it is absolutely necessary, shop for essential items and fulfil any medical or care needs.

When you are outside you must remain 2 meters apart from others, unless they are members of your household.

Remember to wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds – especially after being outside, using the toilet, after coughing and sneezing and before eating. These may seem like extreme measures, but they have been informed by medical experts and are in place to keep you and others safe. The best thing you can do is stick to them!

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What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

• High temperature or fever • Cough • Shortness of breath

These symptoms don’t always mean you have coronavirus though, and you can also have coronavirus without displaying any symptoms.

What do I do if I have coronavirus symptoms?

If you have a new continuous cough, or a fever, then you should self-isolate for seven days and then reassess your symptoms - even if you don’t think you have the coronavirus. Self-isolation means staying at home without having any contact with other people - which if you’re living at home with parents or carers and possibly siblings, might mean sticking to your bedroom. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital!

If you have the virus and after 7 days your symptoms haven’t improved or have gotten worse - you should contact NHS 24 for free by calling 111.

Remember, in an absolute emergency - such as difficulty to breathe, call 999 to request an ambulance.

After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine. If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal.

To avoid fake news, stick to the NHS Inform website for the latest news and updates: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infectionsand-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19

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(COVID-19) How can Coronavirus effect my

mental health and what can I do about it?

Stay active…

Lots of people talking about COVID-19 or coronavirus can make us feel scared, unhappy and worried. You’re not alone. A lot of people will be feeling this way right now, but there are some small things you can do to help you feel more positive and to help you look after yourself and others in your community.

If you’re not able to get outside in the fresh air as much as you’d like, think about how you can exercise at home - whether it’s getting active by watching some YouTube videos, a homemade circuit session in your garden or some yoga.

…but also make time to relax

It’s also important to make time to relax and switch off from the world around us. People relax in different ways.

It could be reading a book, having a cuddle with your pet, doing some colouring in or some meditation exercises.

Keep in touch with friends and family

If you’re having to stay at home or not hang out with your friends or family as much as you normally would, there are other ways to keep in touch. Whether it’s picking up the phone, having a dinner date by video, having a morning group call with your friends or sending voice notes over WhatsApp – there are lots of ways to communicate with your friends and family so you can keep in touch and not feel alone.

Have some fun

Being happy and having fun in a time of crisis might not feel right, but it’s important that we still have a laugh and do fun activities. You could play a fun game with your friends online, watch a comedy or dance around the living room to your favourite song.

Remember not everything online is true

There is lots of news out there and while most people online are well meaning, not all of the information you come across online is true. Keep to official news sources and find out the most up to date information about what’s happening in Scotland through the Scottish Government COVID-19 webpage.

Remember that it’s fine to not check the news or scroll through endless updates each day. Take some time out and put your phone down for a while.

Ask for help

If you’re unsure or worried about anything, remember it’s okay to ask for help and talk to a person you trust. Talking about how you feel can be difficult, but putting our feelings into words helps us understand them and ourselves better.

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Who Cares? Scotland’s Response to COVID-19 Our offices may be closed but we are certainly still open for business as we continue to support Care Experienced children, young people and adults.

The affect of COVID-19 on the Care Experienced community

On the 24th March, the UK government, under advice from the World Health Organisation, implemented lockdown – which means everyone is being told to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. People may only leave home to exercise once a day, travel to and from work when it is “absolutely necessary”, shop for essential items and fulfil any medical or care needs.

Many people have found themselves isolated, struggling financially and afraid. Although difficult for everybody, this new way of living can be particularly challenging for Care Experienced people, especially those who have left care. Without the support of a family network, who can you turn to for an extra £50 for the gas and electricity? If you’re suffering from Coronavirus symptoms, who will do a shop for you? Who is going to phone you for a chat and to ask how you’re feeling? This is the reality for so many. And this is where Who Cares?

Scotland comes in!

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What are we doing?

We are now providing an emergency support service for Care Experienced people in crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Helpline

We know there’s a lot of information out there on the news and on social media that may be causing you worry right now. We also know that people’s lives, their finances and their living arrangements are being affected.

But Who Cares? Scotland is here for you. We want to help, with a friendly voice at the end of a phone, access to advice and information, and with practical support where we can.

You should get in touch if you are struggling as a result of Coronavirus and the current government restrictions. If you are struggling financially, we can help you get: • Food • A care package • Mobile phone top ups • Gas and electricity top ups We can also give you someone to talk to who can check in with you regularly to see how you are doing. Whatever you need, we will work out how best we can help you right now and take steps to put support in place.

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Kinship Care Line Kinship care – living with a relative who is not your mum or dad.

What’s changed?

We continue to provide advocacy support to Care Experienced children and young people but are making use of phone and online offers.

Members will still receive SpeakOut, birthday cards, NewsFlash and other digital updates. If you need to update your email address, now’s the time – just email membership@whocaresscotland.org.

Sadly, all in-person groups are cancelled. This also means we’ve had to make the difficult decision for this year’s annual summer camp not to go ahead. We will do everything we can to ensure our members have options over the Summer to have fun, make friends and create new memories. We will also open Summer Camp 2021 applications later on this Summer, so we can begin to look forward to it already! You can see a video of our Chair Ryan McCuaig and Vice Chair Megan Sutherland talking Ryan Megan about this on our website.

We understand that sometimes those most in need of support are least likely to get it. Young people who are in informal arrangements such as kinship care with no social work intervention, won’t be on anyone’s radar and often don’t know who to ask for help. That’s why we’ve set up our designated kinship care helpline. We will offer support to young people themselves or their carers. You can call our kinship care line on 0754 533 7152.

Plus!

If you don’t like ringing people, there is also an option to email your name and phone number to help@ whocaresscotland.org and someone will call you back or you can talk over email. You can also text any of our numbers and we’ll get back to you.

We have also included a free post return envelope in this issue of SpeakOut should you prefer to write to us and ask for support.

What if I don’t want to talk about COVID-19?

Social Media

Although it feels like the COVID-19 has taken over the world, we understand that there are normal life issues that you may still want to speak to someone about. You can: Still get in touch with your usual Who Cares? Scotland contact by mobile or email.

Phone 0141 226 4441 during weekdays 9am to 5pm This phoneline will be accessed by one of member of staff, so response times may be slower than usual.

Email us at reception@whocaresscotland.org

Make sure you like/follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We’ll be updating these daily with useful information, activities to keep you entertained and positive posts to remind you it’s all going to be ok. Social media is a great way to stay connected, with us and each other, especially now. Remember to be aware of what you put out into the world and the affect it can have on other people. Be respectful and look after each other. Always.

A message from Duncan, Chief Executive of Who Cares? Scotland: “It remains critical that, no matter how difficult circumstances are, your voice is heard when decisions are being made.

If there is something that we haven’t thought of, if you have an idea that might make life easier for Care Experienced people during this time, then please let us know at help@whocaresscotland.org or write your idea down and use the free post return envelope. We are taking everything into consideration and will make sure that the best person is in touch to explore your thoughts further. You are not alone. We’re still here.

We will get through this together.”

Duncan

Whether you want to ask for support or have a suggestion you’d like us to hear – write your thoughts down here, use the free post envelope, pop it in to your nearest post box and we’ll get back to you.

Name:

My suggestion:

Age:

Best way to contact you:

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

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

The Conclusion of

the Care Review The report has identified five foundations for change, with over 80 specific changes that must be made to transform how Scotland cares for children and families as well as the unpaid and paid workforce.

The Care Review demands the following changes:

O

n Wednesday 5th February, the Care Review released its findings and called for a radical overhaul of Scotland’s ‘care system’ at launch event.

The Care Review has listened to more than 5,500 experiences, over half of those were children and young people with experience of the ‘care system’, adults who have lived in care and their families. The rest came from the unpaid and paid workforce. These experiences are the heart of the Care Review’s work and guided and shaped its conclusions.

The Care Review has produced 7 reports: 1.

The Promise - which is Scotland’s ambition for children and young people.

2.

The Pinky Promise - a summary of the key conclusions 3.

The Plan - what needs to be done, by who, by when and how 4&5. The Money and Follow the Money - they tell Scotland that it must change the way it thinks about investing in its children and families and shows the difference that will make.

6.

The Rules - to see how to change things 7.

The Thank You - to the 5,500 people who shared their experiences and were the guiding light

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

• The balance of power must be upended so that listening to children and young people is always the basis of all decisions made about their lives.

• There must be a focus on building and maintaining life-long relationships – that includes a broader understanding of the risk of not having long term, loving relationships.

• Scotland must parent, not process, children so there is no difference between the lives of children in care and their peers. Care experienced children must not miss out on the kind of childhood that many take for granted and the future that all our young people deserve.

• Families must be kept together wherever it is safe to do so. Families must get the support that is right for them at the earliest opportunity and it must be flexible, consistent, patient and free from stigma. This will mean that more children can live a safe, happy life at home with their families.

The five foundations are: 1. Voice of the children must be heard at all stages 2. What all families need to thrive 3. Care, that builds childhoods for children who Scotland has responsibility 4. People, with a relentless focus on the importance of relationships 5. Scaffolding, so that the structure is there to support children and families when needed.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

Fiona Duncan, Chair of the Independent Care Review said: “I have heard countless stories of when the care system gets it wrong; separation, trauma, stigma and pain. Too many childhoods have been lost to a system that serves its own convenience rather than those within it.

“The Care Review has listened to what care experienced people have said needs to change and those voices have driven its work and underpins its conclusions.

“It has sought to understand how the system feels to those who live and work in and around it. And it has produced the what, how, why and when of what needs to happen next.

“This is a radical blueprint for a country that loves, nurtures and cherishes its children. This is Scotland’s chance to care for its children, the way all good parents should.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I would like to extend my thanks to Fiona Duncan and the review members for the work they have put into their final report and supporting documents as well as the individuals who shared their often extremely personal stories with the team.

“In 2016 I accepted a challenge to listen to the experiences of 1,000 looked-after young people because I knew the care system needed a transformation and I wanted to hear firsthand what had to change. These early conversations inspired me to announce an independent root-and-branch review of the care system.

“So for the first time ever the voices of people with experience of the care sector have been, and will continue to be, at the heart of shaping care policy. Over 5,500 people, including care experienced individuals and their families, as well as paid and unpaid care workers, took the time to discuss their thoughts, feelings and experiences to highlight where things are going well and where we need to improve.

“I have had the privilege of meeting many young people with experience of care who are doing extremely well, I have also been given the chance to see the dedication, commitment and passion of those who work in the care sector.

“But I’ve also heard some extremely difficult stories which

portray the care sector as bureaucratic and even unfeeling.

“It is clear that despite the efforts of those within the system, the actual experience of too many people in care is not what we want it to be.

“We will keep listening to and working with care experienced people because the case for transformational change is now unarguable and their voice must shape that change. We will work with them and with local authorities, care providers and others to deliver that change as quickly and as safely as possible.”

The next steps are laid out in The Plan report and are due to be put in motion next month.

The Summer issue of SpeakOut will follow up on this progress.

To read the reports yourself, just visit www.carereview.scot/independent-care-review-reports

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

17

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

The First Minister Comes to Tea I

n September last year, Oor Clacks Voices, Clackmannanshire’s Participation Group visited the Scottish Parliament. The First Minister joined them for part of the visit. She spoke about her pledge to speak to 1,000 care experienced children and young people. She was told that the group’s door was open to her any Monday night and, on the spot , she said she would come. Her only request was that we had spag bol for tea.

In the new year, the group received a call letting us know that Nicola would be coming to visit on the 20th January.

Everyone was very excited. By this time a younger group, Oor Wee Clacks Voices, had just formed so we decided they should join us too.

On the day of the visit, the group was made up of 13 young people aged 10 to 26. They discussed both local and national issues within the care system with the First Minister. Many of the issues discussed are things that affect every local authority, not just Clackmannanshire, e.g. numerous changes of social workers and placements, unacceptable waiting times for CAMHS appointments, the lack of supported accommodation for those about to leave care and the fact that the legal system does not work in a child’s timeframe.

The group also learned a little more about our First Minister and her life, what she really thinks about “Big

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

Boris” and “Trump”, which we won’t repeat! She spoke about her hopes for the future and her possible life after politics.

She would make a great APW! The group were amazed to learn that she cannot drive.

Oor Clacks Voices summed up the evening “To have the First Minister listen to our stories and discuss our issues is extremely important to us. Effective, lasting change can only come if care experienced people are involved.

We appreciate the First Minister joining our group for the evening. She is very down to earth and funny and showed that she truly cares about care experienced people.”

As she was leaving the First Minister left us with this quote: “I want to thank the staff and young people from Oor Clacks Voices for their warm welcome and hospitality.

By listening to our young people and hearing their firsthand experiences, we can bring forward improvements which will make a positive difference to the care system.

This evening’s discussion only makes me more determined to ensure children and young people in care get the same support, stability and life chances the rest of us take for granted.”

It was a great night, with the First Minister posing for selfies and signing autographs. The young people will not forget the night in a hurry.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

e h t g n i c u d o r Int Who Cares? Scotland

0 2 0 2 f o d r Boa H

ave you ever wondered how Who Cares? Scotland makes decisions? As a member, you should feel like you have a voice in this process but obviously there are other people involved, including our Board of Directors and WC?S staff.

If Who Cares? Scotland was a person, the care experienced members would be the heart, the Board of Directors the head and WC?S staff the arms and legs. Our members help us feel what we should be doing, our Board thinks about how we should do it and WC?S staff make it happen. This is perhaps an over simplified way to understand how Who Cares? Scotland works but it shows you the important relationship between members, the board and WC?S staff. As a member of WC?S, you currently might not know who our Board are and what exactly they do, we’d like to change that.

experience to the role and must always act in the best interests of the charity.

On Care Day this year, we held our Annual General Meeting. This is a really important gathering because it is the only time that the Board and our members physically meet to make decisions. First Members get to formally elect Board members who have already gone through an application process, then together they will review what Who Cares? Scotland has been up to over the past year, discuss key areas of work and vote on our priorities for the year ahead. This year Care experienced members who couldn’t attend in person were given the chance to vote online. The AGM is a further example of how members and the Board must work together to ensure Who Cares?

Scotland is fulfilling its objectives.

Look out for a Members Update on the AGM and the announcement of our priorities for 2020 based on your votes, coming soon!

Even though the AGM only happens once a year, did you know that the Board can be contacted at any time at board@whocaresscotland.org?

What does the Board do?

• Helps to shape Who Cares? Scotland’s objectives, strategy and policy.

• Ensures that Who Cares? Scotland is pursuing those strategic objectives in everything we do.

• Oversees the financial management of the organisation and makes sure it acts within the law.

er to v o n r Tu oard B r u o meet rs Membe

Our Board can have up to 15 members, we currently have 14 – at least five of them must be Care Experienced. Board members bring a range of skills and

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

19

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

s r e b m e M d r Meet our Boa Ryan McCuaig: Hello, I am one of the care experienced board members and Chair of the Board. I was in kinship care, looked after at home and I went through the children’s panel before the age of six. I’m now training to become a lawyer. I know that life can be difficult when you’re young through no fault of your own, but I also think that if you are given the appropriate support, you can achieve your goals. I believe that every care experienced person has potential and I will do my best to provide us with a voice on the board of WC?S.

Alicia Santana: Hello! I’m a musician, an activist for Care Experienced and LGBTQ+ individuals. I was in Looked After at Home and Kinship care for most of my childhood. I was not aware that I was Care Experienced until I was introduced to WC?S, where I met other people who had experienced my types of care too.

Understanding and exploring your care identity is a really powerful thing; it has changed my life and given me a new family. I believe that we have a really important role as an organisation in supporting those who have been in care to uphold their rights and talk about their experiences to help shape a better future of care.

Carmel Jacob: I grew up in Kinship Care with my Gran. Involvement in WC?S has changed my life. It has granted me a sense of belonging and supported me to proudly own my identity as a member of the Care Experienced community. There is nothing I am more passionate about than advocating for Who Cares? Scotland’s vision of a lifetime of equality, respect and love. I work as an Educational Psychologist to support children and young people develop socially and emotionally healthy ways of coping with their life experiences and overcoming barriers to learning. I am committed to ensuring that all members of our care family are provided with the support and encouragement they need to realise their full potential and lead happy and fulfilling lives.

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

Megan Sutherland: Hello! I’m Vice-Chair of the Board. I became a member of WC?S when I was 15 and needed advocacy. I grew up in Inverness and had kinship, residential, foster and supported care placements and was homeless before I moved to study Policy and Statistics at Glasgow Uni. I also work at the Scottish Government in Homelessness. I’m passionate about equality, rights, belonging and believing in people. I’m a board member of WC?S to make sure everything we do is about these values and driven by our members. I want care in Scotland to be based on family environments that give us loving relationships that are lifelong.

Anna Fowlie: Hello! I’ve been on the board for about eight years. I’ve been the Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) since April 2018. Before that I was the Chief Executive of the Scottish Social Services Council for nine years, and before that worked in Scottish Government and local government in policy and HR. I was brought up in Inverness and now live in Edinburgh.

David Middleton: I had a career in the public service covering housing, agriculture and transport, becoming chief executive of Transport Scotland in 2009.

Now semi-retired, I also chair the Board of the SQA. In the 90s, I tried volunteering but family, a career and voluntary service didn’t work for me. I would like to do something now.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

Euan Haggerty: I am the Group Finance Director of the Cruden Group, one of Scotland’s largest development and construction groups. I am a Chartered Accountant with significant experience of financial control in a corporate environment. I have a background in operational financial management within the property industry and financial services as well as significant corporate finance experience.

I have been a WC?S Board member since 2015.

Ian Price: I joined the Who Cares?

Scotland Board in 2012. I am also an Ambassador at the Woodland Trust. I have been a senior manager and public affairs professional for over 20 years, working across the voluntary, business and political sectors. This included six years with RSPB Scotland as head of public affairs and marketing, and time as general secretary of the Scottish Labour Party.

Jennifer Royston: I started my career as a commercial lawyer, however since then I have chosen roles which protect vulnerable members of our society. I have worked in a number of countries including Sierra Leone, Iraq, Nigeria and Uganda. I currently work as a Children’s Reporter. I am passionate about assisting Who Cares? Scotland to empower both the individual and the collective voice.

Sarah-Jane Linton: I’m a Head of Faculty at Edinburgh College. I am a proud corporate parent and loving foster parent to my three amazing sons. I also sit on BBC Children in Need’s grant making committee with a personal commitment to eradicating poverty and inequality for children in Scotland. My own experience of poverty, growing up in Caldercruix with my five younger siblings and widowed mother have shaped my value base and drive to lead life-changing learning in colleges, just as it helped my family.

Shaun Brittain: Hi! I have recently started working as a children and families social worker. I also work in residential care on a parttime basis. I have brief care experience myself and am very grateful to WC?S in supporting me to achieve my goals. I like to think I am easy to talk to and will strive to represent the views of care experienced individuals.

Lee Davidson: Hello, I am Care Experienced. The ethos of WC?S mirrors my own personal values and beliefs. I am a mindful Health and Well-being Coach. My mission in life is to show every child and young person that they are worthy and that they are loved.

They can be so much more than what the statistics say.

Seonag MacKinnon: I am a Communications and Public Affairs Consultant and a member of the Institute of Directors. I joined the board of WC?S as through professional and personal experience I was keenly aware of the acute challenges Care Experienced people face.

Trevor Hillman: Until recently I was the UK Operations Director for a commercial insurance company. I strongly believe in helping people and I am keen to use my career/life skills to ensure that members and the wider Care Experienced community are listened to, treated fairly and with respect. I am a father to my 2 grown up sons and teenage adopted daughter.

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

21

NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

Staf’s

n r u t e R t c e Proj set to orchestrate change with care experienced choir P

roject Return, a project run by Staf, is starting a Choir, which will use music and relationships as a supportive resource to overcome trauma. Our aim is to bring together those aged 16 or above with experience of the care and or justice system, and their workers, giving them the opportunity to connect through music.

How can you get involved?

Why are we launching a Choir?

Run by Staf and funded by the Life Changes Trust, Project Return is focused on changing how the care system understands and supports trauma. Staf is Scotland’s membership organisation for all those who support young people leaving care.

Within our care community, there is an enormous amount of talent and love for music and we want to create a space and time where everyone can come together celebrate this.

Singing as part of a group has been shown as a way of improving your well-being, mental health, empowerment and building great friendships. It also allows us to grow through uncovering different things about ourselves and understanding our own social identity.

When will the Choir meetings take place?

The choir will excitingly launch on Saturday the 7th of March from 1.30-3.30 pm at Renfield St. Stephen’s Centre, 260 Bath Street, G2 4JP. • After this we will meet bi-weekly with the next sessions taking place: • Saturday 21st March, 1.30 until 3.30 at Garnethill Multicultural Centre • Saturday 4th April, 1.30 until 3.30 at Renfield St. Stephen’s Centre • Saturday 18th April, 1.30 until 3.30 at Renfield St. Stephen’s Centre All dates will be posted on Staf website and social media pages.

How are we creating the Choir?

To propel the choir, we are bringing together a Choir Group made up of individuals with care and/or justice experience alongside members of the care workforce and our musical director. Together they will orchestrate the shape of the choir.

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

If you’re interested in coming along to sing in the choir then please get in touch with Jenny Ferguson, Project Return’s Development Worker on jenny@staf.scot or 07572 201644.

Jenny can travel to meet anyone interested to give them more information, she is also prepared to sing it to you!

What is Project Return?

NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

r e v e t a h Happened W to the

?

Jaggy Nettles O

n February the 13th, a group of Who Cares? Scotland staff members went to the theatre to watch one of our own care experienced members, Chloe Wyper, in the Citizens Theatre WAC Ensemble performance of Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles. Disclaimer: This is in no way a biased review, despite the fact we were like a gaggle of proud, emotional and slightly hysterical aunties (and one uncle).

Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles tells the story of a young Scottish punk band, The Jaggy Nettles, trying to make their way in 1970s Glasgow. The play was written

by Martin Travers, directed by Guy Hollands and performed by Scotland’s first Care Experienced theatre company - the Citizens Theatre WAC Ensemble.

What makes this play so special is its ability to have to you roaring with laughter one minute and crying the next. It doesn’t shy away from how harsh life could be living in a Glasgow scheme but it also captures the heart and the passion embodied by the people who made up those communities.

Lori the band manager, played by our Chloe, is angry at the world but wants to make it better with music.

Chloe’s delivered her lines loudly and often with the roll of an eye as she expressed Lori’s displeasure at the status quo and the lead singer, P.K, who seemed more concerned with making it as solo artist than changing the world, which isn’t very punk!

It was hard to believe the Jaggy Nettles weren’t a real band, the catchy raucous original songs they performed had us all rocking in our seats and the band members certainly looked the part, with hair backcombed to within an inch of it’s life and heavy eyeliner accentuating sullen eyes.

We got stung by the Jaggy Nettles

and we’d do it all again, gladly!

Chloe was asked what makes WAC different to other groups or projects she has been part of in the past, Chloe explains: “Being care experienced doesn’t really matter here. It’s not what the focus is on. It’s about the theatre. We just happen to be a group of people who are care experienced. We don’t all sit around in a circle and talk about our pasts. Coming into this and having that commonality with someone does help break the ice a little because if you’re a bit awkward you can just be like ‘so we were both in care!’.

People have this perception of people who are care experienced as always being involved with the police or always out to wreak havoc. People still think we are these terrors but what’s really great about WAC and about the Citizens is how seriously they take us as professionals.”

Scotland’s first Care Experienced theatre ensemble offers a positive, supportive and empowering space for young adults aged 18-26 to explore and learn about all aspects of a professional theatre, develop their creative talents, and tell the stories that are important to them.

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

23

I N I T T O W I N I T… NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

O

nce you’ve completed the IN IT TO WIN IT PAGE please take a picture of it and email it to membership@whocaresscotland.org or send it to Who Cares? Scotland, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow, G1 4QR, (you could use the freepost envelope included with this issue) by Monday 15th June 2020, to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice.

THE BIG

QUIZ!

In which 2014 film does a character called Eggsy get recruited by a spy organisation, despite his being an unlikely candidate for the job?

Who wrote a children’s book entitled ‘Green Eggs and Ham’?

Easter Island is a part of which country?

Which country brought us the tradition of Easter Eggs?

Unscramble the anagrams GEG UNTH:

NUBYN:

CLACHOOET:

CSEKPNAA:

MSLOSBO:

What is the other, more popular name for Shrove Tuesday?

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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HHHHHHHH

HH

LAST ISSUES WINNERS ARE:

Chloe (13), Scott (2 0), Nathan (14), Stephanie (17)

HHHHHHHH

HH

NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

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R O I N U J SO SO JUNIOR NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

at our younger h w t u o g in d n fi s ve t him know! le Buddy the Bear lo u o y re su e k a en up to! M members have be

Gary’s Article H

i, I’ m Gary and I will be speaking about Celtic F.C’s former player and current manager Neil Lennon. Neil Lennon is the Irish manager at Celtic FC who is 48 years of age.

I think he is a good manager who is teaching the players to have courage, respect, and skills. Also, he was a great player while at Celtic F.C. I hope to be like him one day and fulfil my dream to either play for the mighty Bhoys or manage them, maybe even both! I play football in a sports hall most nights and have recently been practising my volleys with my left foot. My Dad has met Neil Lennon before, and he is apparently a very nice man. I also hope to interview Neil or a player from Celtic F.C in the coming months. We are waiting for a response and are currently being helped with this by the Celtic F.C staff.

I hope to write further articles in the future, and I hope you have enjoyed this one!

n,

By Camero 26

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

10

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2020

The Bananaconda Based on a story idea by Faith Wright

T

he Bananaconda is a mystical creature, though you wouldn’t want to come across a pack. Finding one Conda in the wild, the most damage you’d get is a sly look up and down, but a group of them! Let me tell you, you’d feel like a target with all the snarky remarks. With the whispers and giggles you’d feel out numbered. That’s what the Bananacondas do.

Now let’s meet Annabananaconda.

She is the ring- leader. Every morning Annabananaconda goes onto Snapechat and messages other un-suspecting Applecondas, making them feel bad for insecurities they didn’t know they had. She does this because of her own insecurities.

Annabananaconda has lots of insecurities. Annabananaconda has never peeled her skin because she knows she is weak and vulnerable underneath, mushier than all the others beneath her yellow peel.

During Snool (Snake school) Annabananaconda shouts out during class and makes fun of others.

Annabananaconda doesn’t have friends because Annabananaconda

likes to make them feel bad and hits them for fun. Annabananaconda hangs out with other horrible Bananacondas in her class, whom she sits with whilst they ridicule others.

On one special day Annabananaconda got called to go to the Applebananaconda’s headmaster’s office. Once Annabananaconda arrived, her Motherbananaconda and Fatherbananaconda and even her Nana, NanaAnnabananaconda, were there.

Let me give a bit of backstory on NanaAnnabananaconda; she was the biggest Bananaconda about. She was feared everywhere. Applecondas ran when they saw her coming. But NanaAnnabananaconda could do something that Annabananaconda would never do, she could show her mush! She didn’t want people to fear her. She wanted peace. That’s why when Annabananaconda was hatched they named her after her Nana, in the hope that she’d do the same. They were wrong.

When Annabananaconda entered the room with her family she could feel the tension

JUNIOR NEWSSO & EVENTS

By Poppy, 13

rising. Everyone explained Annabananaconda’s actions were wrong. Annabananaconda looked at her NanaAnnabananaconda and even she looked away.

Annabananaconda left the room.

She looked back on her actions, realising all those people she’d hurt and made feel less, because she was insecure. She knew she’d have to do something. Annabananaconda didn’t want to peel, she knew how vulnerable she was. But she had to. It was unfair not to.

She thought of her parents, she thought of her Nana, the great NanaAnnabananaconda. They were all Mushybananacondas underneath.

So, she did it, right there and then.

Annabananaconda peeled and let her mush free. It didn’t hurt. It felt good to be free. She felt…normal.

Annabananaconda thought, ‘I’m just a Conda like the other Bananacondas and Applecondas, but I’m still Annabananaconda.’

She smiled a mushy smile.

Cat and rainbow bunnies are my company And my rainbow dogs and unicorn, Near the house, I found a magic key, Dogs are in funny costumes and I went through a magic portal, Yeah! I saw a rainbow smiling at me!

Lollipops are there waving at me, Astronauts are waving their cheery feet at me, Never ending river of white chocolate, Driving marshmallows are clapping happily today in my dreams.

, 10

y Bethan

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