SpeakOut Spring 2021

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

SPRING 2021

It has become my safe haven , where I can go and know that I don ’t have to worry about being myself or trying to fit in.

READ ABOUT CHLOE’S JOURNEY ON PAGE 26.

y e n r u My Jo ed c n e i r e p x E with a Care p u o r G e r t a The

PLUS!

SHAPING THE FUTURE AT THIS YEAR’S MEMBERS’ ASSEMBLY, MEET YOUR ADVOCATE, QUIZ PAGES AND SO JUNIOR

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

Welcome to the latest is s

...

Check out what’s inside Dear Readers, Welcome to the first SpeakOut issue of 2021! So far, it’s been a shaky start to the year, but we’re hopeful that things are looking up.

Despite having spent the last 4 months in lockdown, we’ve got so much to share with you – here’s what’s coming up in this issue: Even though Christmas seems like a lifetime ago, we look back at how we managed to connect with you despite restrictions (p4), we meet Sergeant Brady – a Care Experienced Police Officer (p8), catch up with how we celebrated Care Day 21(p16) and the second Festival of Care in Shetland (p9). If you were unable to attend this year’s digital Members’ Assembly, don’t worry, we have all the highlights and updates for you in these pages (p10-15, p18-19). Fiona is back to tell you what’s next for The Promise (p22), whilst Stephanie Says let’s have some fun (25). SO Junior is full of Easter themed activities with our wonderful Emma (p30-31) and remember to take part in our IN IT TO WIN IT competition to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher (p28).

We are literally counting down the days till we can see you all again! Roll on Summer!

Happy Easter!

The SpeakOut Editorial Team x

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16-17

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10-11

Inside this issue 2-3

Welcome Pages

LIFESTYLE 4

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6-7 8 9

Keeping Connection at the Heart of Christmas Do You Need Extra Help with Housing Costs?

Page of Positivity Meet Your Local Officer Being the Light

NEWS & EVENTS 10-11 Shaping the Future 12-13 Meet the WC?S Board 14-15 Meet the New National

Representative Body 16-17 Newsflash 18-19 Annual Participation

Programme Update 20-21 Volunteering with WC?S 22 Fiona Checks In 23 Care Experienced History Month

Coming Soon 24 Meet Your Advocate

ENTERTAINMENT 25 Stephanie Says 26 My Journey with a Care

Experienced Theatre Group 27 What Tracy Beaker Means to Us 28-29 Quiz Pages

SO Junior 27

30-31 So Junior 32 Contact Us

sue of SpeakOut

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

Meet the Editorial Team

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

Our readers

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members 75

The WC?S Helpline Open Mon-Fri, 12pm-4pm Call us on 0330 107 7540 or email help@whocaresscotland.org

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Our youngest member is 1 and our oldest member is 75.

We do!

DITO

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

So get involved.

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WhoCaresScotland @whocaresscot

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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 Did you know?

We send out a monthly e-bulletin which is jam packed with details of what’s going on at Who Cares? Scotland and how you can get involved. If you’re not currently receiving it, please contact membership@ whocaresscotland.org and we’ll get your email added.

The views expressed by the members in this magazine are their own and not necessarily those of Who Cares? Scotland.

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

t a n o i t c e n n o C Keeping

s a m t s i r h C f o t the Hear

By Sam Baillie, Comms Support Officer

Our Care Family Christmas Dinners have always been a time for Care Experienced people to hug their friends and make new ones, and we believe it’s this, not the sparkling gifts and colossal quantities of food (although I’m sure they help) that make Christmases with Who Cares? Scotland so special. So, Christmas 2020 was going to be a bit different, and we had to make sure that whatever we did, community and connection remained at the core of our offer.

But how were we going to do this when we couldn’t meet in person?

Well, we couldn’t think of any one thing – so we came up with four!

We put together a Christmas parcel (or more specifically, over 2,400 of them!) containing a card with a handwritten message from the Who Cares? Scotland team, a chocolate Santa, the Winter issue of SpeakOut and a small gift!

We launched our Christmas Wishes programme! We asked you what would make your Christmas special, and we sent our elves on a mission across Scotland to make these wishes come true. We bought someone their first ever Christmas tree, sent train tickets 4

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to see family members, delivered Christmas dinners and wrapped new trainers to be creatively decorated with gems and sparkles over the festive period. We even combined forces with the Rangers Charity Foundation, to provide one member and lifelong Rangers fan with a personal letter from Steven Gerrard, and a new Rangers top for the season – what a result!

Any excuse to connect with our members is always a win in our books, so we hosted 6 digital events in the lead-up to Christmas. Together, we quizzed each other over Zoom, baked rocky road together, answered your Christmas cooking questions, and had chilled hang-outs over brunch! We also kept our Helpline open over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so we could be there to support anyone who needed it.

We hope you felt that we were still there for you last Christmas, but we definitely missed all your faces and we’re hopeful that this year it’ll be back to business as usual and we’ll be stuffing our faces and exchanging gifts in person once again!

rs, Robert One of our membe Hamilton, wrote a rap for his Who Cares?

Scotland Family.

I know this year has been tough y’all, But listen, we still got each other, And that’s all that matters, We’ve lost some people along the way, But it’s ok, we got each other today, C’mon.

Let’s deck the streets with bits of tinsel, Because this year’s been a big hassle, But let’s make Christmas as best we can, Shout out to all my Care Experienced fam, You’re not alone, y’all have each other, In each other hearts, always and forever, Even if it’s just on the other side of a phone, A voice saying Merry Christmas, you’re not alone, I’m a helper, let’s chat, it’ll be okay, I’ll stay on the phone to youse all day, Or let’s video chat and have a catch up.

Let’s wait for the jolly old man to catch up, Come on Santa meet my family, Working hard for equal opportunity, Like everyone else on the planet, Yeah this December, we own it.

What is Christmas?

It’s family time.

Which family?

The Care family time.

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

DO YOU NEED EXTRA HELP WITH

HOUSING COSTS? D

o you live in your own tenancy and get help towards your housing costs from Universal Credit or Housing Benefit? Does it still feel like a struggle sometimes to pay your rent? Then read on! You may be entitled to more financial support.

What is this all about?

The Scottish Government has asked Who Cares? Scotland to raise awareness of a benefit called Discretionary Housing Payments, to try and increase the number of Care Experienced people who receive these payments. We want to make sure everyone who may be entitled to apply for these payments knows about them.

What is it?

The term Discretionary Housing Payment is a bit of a mouthful, so we’ll call it a DHP for short. A DHP is simply an additional payment given out by Local Authorities to help you with housing costs if you are on a low income.

Going back to 2019, The Scottish Government made a commitment during The Independent Care Review, saying they would support Care Experienced people by “giving them greater choice in the housing options they have and more security in their tenancies”. They followed this up in this year’s 2020-21 Scottish Government budget, with money put aside specifically to help Care Experienced people with these payments.

Who can apply for a DHP? There are certain rules about who is eligible for a DHP. Each Local Authority may interpret these rules slightly differently, but in general: • You need to have a legal tenancy agreement (i.e. paying rent, not a mortgage)

• There is no upper age limit • You don’t have to be Care Experienced to apply (but the information we provide will be aimed to support Care Experienced people) • You need to be getting either some Housing Costs within your Universal Credit payment, or Housing Benefit.

• You need to explain the reason that you are struggling with housing costs (ie. why you need this extra payment)

What is a DHP for?

A DHP is usually temporary. It can be awarded as a one-off amount, or a regular payment for a while. It does not have to be paid back. It can help with: • rent and some service charges • one-off costs such as a rent deposit, rent in advance, or costs of moving to a new tenancy • rent shortfalls to prevent homelessness while alternative housing is explored • making up the difference if housing benefit reduced because of the benefit cap or bedroom tax (spare room subsidy)

application will help. There are also some situations that are not eligible: • If your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit already covers the full cost of your rent • To cover an increase in rent because of arrears or because an overpayment is being recovered from Housing Benefit • To cover a gap/shortfall due to Universal Credit Sanctions • To cover a Council Tax bill.

How do I apply?

The first step is to put in an application to your Local Authority.

Each Local Authority website will have all the information you need to make an application, which will be either an on-line application or a form to print off. Try Googling the name of your local Council together with the words “Discretionary Housing Payments” and the information should come straight up straight away.

Where can I get help?

Can everyone paying rent get a DHP? Sadly not. Getting a DHP depends on the judgement of your Local Authority Benefits team, which is why it is called “Discretionary”. It should depend on your individual circumstances, so making a really strong case in your

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Page of

Speak Speak Speak Out Out Out Magazine Magazine Magazine ||SUMMER SUMMER | SPRING2020 2019 2021

y t i v i t i s Po T

his page is full of little messages of positivity. Words and pictures to make you smile and give you the strength to keep going, even through the most difficult of times. If you’d like to share some positivity with others, it could be a specific message to someone or just generally good vibes, send them into membership@whocaresscotland.org.

A Sense of Belonging

By Aimee, WC?S Member

A

sense of belonging is often very much taken for granted, for us with care experience feeling like you belong somewhere may feel harder than for most people.

So, what is belonging? According to the Collins Dictionary, belongingness is “the quality or state of being an essential or important part of something”.

What does this mean for us as Care Experienced people? It means it’s a lot harder for us to find, as often we feel less important and as if we do not fit in.

How can we change this for ourselves? Sometimes people will live their lives without any sense of belonging, but that doesn’t mean you have to. It’s too easy to say that joining in will solve everything, but it will get your foot in the door. For example, if you’re in a foster placement and your foster family are playing a family game, you’d get more of a sense of belonging if you join in the game instead of sitting out.

It’s important to keep an open mind wherever we go. Often positivity will follow us. If we’re nice to others, others will be nice to us. That’s the general logic although sadly it doesn’t always work that way. Practicing good habits and being kind will only make you a better person, which is awesome.

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Remember that other people are different, being accepting of others is important. If you’re able to accept others, you may find friendship in the most unusual of places.

Try joining a local group, having people surrounding you with the same interests can really help you feel like you belong. During Covid this is difficult but if you look there are usually virtual offers.

Fitting in at home can feel difficult.

People are typically expected to fit into their families like one giant jigsaw, but we’re like individual pieces that don’t properly fit into any jigsaw. Sometimes we’re placed with people that aren’t suited to our needs, whether that be racially, religiously or another factor. It may be that you’re living with your grandparents and you just don’t have anything in common.

The barriers are endless and it’s hard to break them down.

My experience with belongingness - I was placed with my grandparents, but I’ve lived in different situations; something similar to a foster family, something similar to a group home and I’ve lived in dorms. I’m 20 now and living with my boyfriend and his family. When I lived at home, before any placements, I’m not sure I felt like I belonged, and I still don’t feel it.

I think it’s super important to remember that in these situations, a lack of belonging is okay. It’s okay

to feel different and it’s okay to feel like you don’t fit in. Sometimes it’s easy to get down on ourselves but it’s important to know that you’re not alone.

Even though I haven’t found my sense of belonging yet, it doesn’t mean I never will. If you’re struggling to find your sense of belonging, remember that just because you don’t have it now, doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. Keep going - you’ve got this.

We’ve got this.

Think of it like a marathon, it’s something you gotta work hard towards before you’re able to get anywhere. Keep giving your placement a try, keep pushing through whatever battle you’re going through because one day we will be ready to cross that finish line. And that will be a good day!

Remember if you’re ever feeling like you don’t belong, it’s important to talk to someone you trust. Sometimes talking about our difficult feelings can help us feel better, even if it doesn’t seem it at the time (trust me, I’m right there with you).

If you’re a Care Experienced person and you need someone to talk to, The Who Cares? Scotland Helpline is open Monday-Friday, 12pm-4pm, we can be contacted by phoning 0330 107 7540 or emailing help@whocaresscotland.org.

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING SUMMER2021 2020 2019

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y name is Jessica and I wanted to share with you a letter I wrote recently to my staff.

I wanted to let them know how brave I felt they had been through the Covid-19 pandemic and how they have helped each and every one of us get through it. I wrote this letter because I felt staff needed some more credit for everything they do and because I love them

all so much, with all of my heart. I wanted to show that even in the most difficult times we can appreciate and be grateful for all of the good times too. I ended up getting lots of praise and positive comments for the letter – it even got posted on Twitter and was retweeted by the MSP Maree Todd!

My message to staff and to anyone reading this is to always love and appreciate everything you have, because even through the hard times we have here in lockdown, we have wonderful people to spend it with. You don’t have to be related for people to be family all you need is love!

Taylor Howie T

aylor was referred to Employability & Skills in September 2020 and met with one of our Officers from the Family Firm Team as she is care experienced.

Taylor and her E&S Officer developed an action plan focusing on the goals she would like to achieve to help her to gain employment within the care sector or working with young people.

A mixed work placement was sourced for her with South Ayrshire Council’s Champions Board and Community Learning & Development. This really interested Taylor as the placements focused on the rights for Care Experienced young people and also allowed her to meet a range of young people through group activities.

By South Ayrshire Employability and Skills

“Since I started working with Employability & Skills. I have been successful in gaining a part time job with the Champions Board and also a Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work” - Taylor “Taylor wowed us in her interview with her openness and confidence. She is now volunteering with us and has been setting up focus groups and delivering presentations. We can’t wait for her official start date to come through. I think we are very lucky to have her in the Champions Board” - Dawn Parker, Corporate Parenting Lead Officer We would like to say a massive well done and congratulations to Taylor for her hard work and dedication to successfully gain both these positions.

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak SpeakOut OutMagazine Magazine| SUMMER | SPRING 2019 2021

Meet your Local Officer O

ver the last while, we have been working hard with Police Scotland to break down barriers and build lasting relationships between the Care Experienced community and Officers. ‘Meet Your Local Officer’ gives space for passionate Officers, who we believe champion the Care Experienced community, to introduce themselves and show how they are changing the culture within their organisation. To mark the 1 year anniversary of this feature, we’d like to introduce you to Sergeant Brady.

My name is Sergeant Brady, and I am a proud Care Experienced Police Officer. I want to share a little bit about my care journey with you.

My care journey started when I was 13 years old. My education was interrupted when I had to leave school to help my father raise my 5 siblings after my mother left the family home.

At the age of 14, I was sent to a secure unit as I was on the cusp of criminality.

A few years later I went to work for the father of one of my friends, but I was getting into trouble in the local area. I started to play football for a local team and the football referee happened to be a young Police Officer. Shortly after starting with the team, he noticed my potential and seeing that I was a pretty good player, he sat and spoke with me about my life and the troubles I had faced. This Officer became my mentor.

He would take me to football training and helped me to understand the path I was going down. He spoke to me about all the potential I had, and he helped me to see the amazing person I could become. He helped me to understand that I had options in life. He was the first person to truly believe in me.

In my later teenage years, I worked several different jobs, from running pubs to hotels but always had that Police Officer behind me as my mentor and friend.

My mentor inspired me to join the Police and so at 30 years old, I joined Police Scotland. In 2012 I took my Sergeants’ exam and discovered that I had dyslexia and autism, something that had never been picked up by anyone before. My diagnosis helped me to make sense of the struggles I had faced in my early years. I was passionate to keep moving forward and so, the following year I enrolled myself in college and learned more about my dyslexia. I took the Sergeants’ exam the following year and gained a very high score, passing the exam and gaining my promotion!

I have tried to make sure that I do not allow the challenges I have faced to stop me, although I have had to work harder than everyone else to overcome them. This can be a hard journey at times, but it is so important that you do not give up and you keep going.

I am now a Sergeant and I run a response team within Police Scotland.

I have worked hard in my career in Police Scotland and I am proud to say that I have received the Sergeant of The Year Award twice and I have two Humanitarian Awards for bravery from the Queen.

I sit on the disability committee within Police Scotland where I support hopeful Police applicants who have a disability. I also mentor Police Officers who

If you have a question for or would like to get in touch with your local Police Officer, please email our Corporate Parenting Team – corporateparenting@whocaresscotland.org 8

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C EXPE ARE RIENC ED

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are working towards a promotion to Sergeant.

I am passionate about using the barriers I have faced and my own experiences to help others. I am determined to empower those who need more support.

I was so lucky to have had the mentor and friend I did. Although he died many years ago, I hope I have made him and my family proud.

I have suffered personal loss throughout my care journey, which I know is loss felt throughout the Care Experienced community. I know the impact both the care journey and personal loss has on you. I want you to know that you are not alone, and although you have faced challenges and barriers in your life, you can overcome these. Police Scotland are committed to the Care Experienced community and want to be the best Corporate Parent they can be. I want to be the best Corporate Parent I can be for my community.

Sergeant Brady

BEING THE LIGHT NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

SUMMER2021 2019 Speak Out Magazine | SPRING

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hetland held their second Festival of Care, an exciting five-day event that began on Care Day. The Festival provided opportunities to engage, explore and connect with care experience from a young person’s perspective through poetry, film, art, performance and a diverse range of online workshops.

The theme chosen this year was ‘Being the Light’ – a metaphor that reflects the geography of Shetland itself: with the dark, craggy rocks of the Islands being lit up by the historic lighthouses of the coast.

As lighthouses use their light to provide safety to passing vessels, Care Experienced people too serve as beacons of brightness which illuminate those around them. Across the country people made their own lighthouses to show their support of the Festival of Care.

Ciara North, of the #ShetlandCrew, explained: “Being Care Experienced can be a huge part of someone’s life. It can be hard to grow up within these circumstances. Being in care shouldn’t be something that has to be faced alone and the Festival of Care hopes to highlight how everyone can make a difference, no matter how small.”

The Festival’s launch was accompanied by a 28-minute opening film featuring a combination of ceremony; poetry; opening statements and reflections on the theme of “Being the Light”. Hosted by the #ShetlandCrew, a group of Care Experienced leaders from the Islands.

Verbatim Theatre brought together a group of Care Experienced young people with Corporate Parents and allowed them to share personal stories exploring the theme of “Home and Belonging”. Both Care Experienced people and corporate parents then swapped stories, allowing for a deeper level of empathy to be developed between the storytellers, who then took responsibility for each other’s stories.

In collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands, Centre for Island Creativity, as part of Home and Belonging, the ‘Projectiles’ project saw the powerful words of the #ShetlandCrew projected onto public spaces across Lerwick during the Festival of Care, as the broader community were invited to contemplate both the light and dark of experiencing care.

In collaboration with Shetland Islands Council (SIC), Who Cares?

Scotland hosted a diverse range of 21 digital workshops. The diverse range of hosts allowed the Festival to explore many facets of Care Experience with both local and national approaches. Some of our workshops’ themes included:

• Identifying unconscious bias and subsequent barriers facing Care Experienced people within education and employment.

• Utilising emerging platforms such as Minecraft to keep young people engaged.

• Insight into how to ensure that Care Experienced young people are at the heart of their formal meetings • Writing of care records to ensure they meaningfully document a Care Experienced person’s life journey.

• Supporting Care Experienced people with their mental health, including suicide and self-harm.

• Using art and creativity to develop positive mental health and wellbeing for young people.

• Updating professionals with the current stages of the Promise and the Incorporation of the UNCRC into Scots law.

The Festival of Care closed with Care Experienced leaders from across Scotland coming together to explore the theme of Being the Light. James Docherty, a leading voice on childhood trauma, was joined by Megan Sutherland, Shannon Boston of the #ShetlandCrew, Thomas Carlton, and Maria Kelly. Their powerful reflections were a fitting close to a hugely successful Festival.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

Shaping the Future at the Members’ Assembly and AGM nt Coordinator Gregor Clunie, Community Developme

A

huge thanks to everyone who attended our Members’ Assembly on Sat 27 February and helped Shape the Future of Who Cares? Scotland! Our Members’ Assembly is an annual summit of member engagement and activism, which we want to keep building in size and ambition.

Our first digital Members’ Assembly brought together members from across the country to review Who Cares?

Scotland’s progress over the past year, to shape our future priorities, discuss upcoming opportunities and welcome our new Board members and National Representatives!

We’ve included some key highlights and updates below.

A ten—pin bowling champion and a proud young mum: Our new National Representatives and Board members National Representatives will play a key role over the next two years in making sure all your voices are heard in shaping our work and leading change for Care Experienced people. You can find out more about each of our National Representatives on p14-15.

We also welcomed newly elected members of our Board of Directors at the Assembly – you can find out more about them on p12-13. The Board has a key role in making sure that the organisation acts legally and responsibly in working towards our goals. Thanks to everyone who voted in the elections!

Our new logo – first look at designs!

Excitingly, members were given the first look at two options for our new WCS logo, which all members will be invited to vote on at the end of March – keep your eyes peeled! A group of members have been working alongside designers over many months to create an updated logo which reflects our organisation, aims and values. We can’t wait to share the options with you and see which one you like best!

Bin bags and home schooling – Q&A with our new CEO, Louise Hunter One of four exciting workshops at the Assembly was a member Q&A with our new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Louise Hunter. Louise introduced herself, her background and experience before inviting questions about her vision and priorities for the organisation. Louise spoke about her experience in the third sector and working in homelessness services where teenagers would arrive in scary accommodation with their belongings in bin bags. She didn’t understand how this could happen. There was then 10

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a fantastic discussion around themes including raising the profile of the organisation, realising the Promise and some of the highlights of being a member, including the Love Rally and the Carelidh!

One of the first things Louise did in post was write to 400 key stakeholders and arrange meetings about our work and goals. We’re really excited to have Louise on board and for her to help us to grow and develop!

We also had brilliant workshops exploring how Care Experienced activists can change the world, meeting our new National Representatives and discussing our participation and influencing priorities!

Learning, parenting and thriving in lockdown – our participation priorities for 2021/22 Over the past 12 months, we’ve trialled a new approach to designing and delivering our participation and influencing work. This involves looking systematically at what members have told us through our advocacy and participation work and members survey, identifying key opportunities for change in the work of the Scottish Government and other corporate parents and agreeing on key themes to take forward throughout the year as part of our Annual Participation Programme – find out more on p18-19.

At the Assembly, the Policy team introduced three themes which were clear priorities from our data (Care Experienced Parents, Digital Wellbeing and Education) and five others which are to be decided on. Members were given a vote on these five (Mental Health, Relationships, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Holding Others Accountable and Financial Security), being asked to prioritise up to three themes.

The voting results will be fed into final decision making around themes, ahead of our Annual Programme launching in April!

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

Having our voices heard – our elections Manifesto An update was given around our work to influence all of the major political parties in Scotland ahead of May’s Scottish Parliament elections. We are determined to make sure all the parties understand the experiences, perspectives and priorities of our Care Experienced members. Alongside building member voice into our Manifesto from our advocacy and participation data, there will be a workshop opportunity for members to directly shape some of the content. Keep your eyes peeled!

Changed times, a changing organisation – our constitution Members voted on proposed changes to WCS’ Articles of Association – this is the document which sets out what the organisation can do and how we work. The proposed changes reflected how our work has matured and evolved in changing times.

The main changes were as follows: • Adding a definition of ‘Care Experienced’ • Updating our membership structure to remove reference to ‘Alumni’ members – this reflects our move towards a lifelong membership offer and our intention not to differentiate between members of different ages • Allowing Board meetings to be carried out over email and Zoom • Making it clear that all Care Experienced Board members can access support from the organisation – this already happens, but we wanted to make it formal • Introducing a clear mechanism to remove members if they’ve broken the rules, in order to safeguard our members, staff and volunteers • Making our decision-making more stable by introducing 4 year terms for Board members – previously one third of the board had to step down every year, which made things difficult

The finance cake Last but not least, we have to thank our wonderful ViceChair Megan Sutherland for the most entertaining presentation about money we’ve ever heard!

Through a range of colourful and entertaining metaphors, Megan brought the finances of the organisation to life for everyone.

Long live the “finance cake”!

you! k n a Th

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Meet the NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

Board S ?

C W 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.

Our constitution states that the Board of Who Cares? Scotland can have up to 15 members – at least five of whom must be people who have Care Experience.

Board members bring a range of skills and experience to the role and must always act in the best interests of the charity. ntacted at The Board can be co otland.org board@whocaressc

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The Members’ Assembly and AGM (p10-11) held on the 27th February saw the departure of some of our long standing Board members and the arrival of some new faces, so we thought we’d give you a quick update of what the Board looks like now.

Alicia Santana Alicia is a CE Board member, a musician and an activist for Care Experienced and LGBTQ+ individuals. Alicia believes 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.

Ryan McCuaig

Carmel Jacob

Ryan is a Care Experienced (CE) Board member and the Chair of the Board. Ryan works as a lawyer and believes that every Care Experienced person has potential and will do his best to provide WC?S members with a voice on the Board.

Carmel is a CE Board member who works as an Educational Psychologist. She is passionate about advocating for Who Cares? Scotland’s vision of a lifetime of equality, respect and love for Care Experienced People.

Megan Sutherland

Carol Kirk

Megan is a CE Board member and Vice-Chair of the Board.

Megan is passionate about equality, rights, belonging and believing in people. She wants to make sure everything we do is about these values and driven by our members.

Carol trained as a teacher and had a career in education and children’s services, most recently as Director of Education and Skills in North Ayrshire. Carol is committed to young people’s rights and ensuring their voices are heard.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

David Middleton

Lee Davidson

David had a career in the public service covering housing, agriculture and transport, becoming chief executive of Transport Scotland in 2009. Now semiretired, David is committed to using his time to give something back.

Lee is a CE Board member and a Health and Well-being Coach.

Lee’s mission in life is to show every child and young person that they are worthy, that they are loved and that they can be so much more than what the statistics say.

Ruth Wallace

Euan Haggerty

Ruth is a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor, and a director at KPMG. Ruth cares about the inequalities Care Experienced people face and feels passionately about addressing some of these challenges and supporting individuals to achieve their potential.

Euan joined the Who Cares?

Scotland Board in 2015. Euan is a Chartered Accountant and the Group Finance Director of the Cruden Group, one of Scotland’s largest development and construction groups.

Sarah Blackmore

Shaun Brittain

Sarah is an Executive Director with Social Work England, the regulator for social workers. Sarah is passionate about ensuring that Care Experienced people have the same rights, love and support as anyone else in our society.

Shaun is a CE Board member and has recently started working as a children and families social worker. Shaun also works in residential care on a parttime basis. Shaun will strive to represent the views of Care Experienced individuals in his role.

Jennifer Royston Jennifer started her career as a commercial lawyer, however since then has chosen roles which protect vulnerable members of society whether in developing countries or in the United Kingdom. Jennifer is now a Children’s Reporter and is passionate about assisting Who Cares? Scotland to empower both the individual and the collective voice.

Kevin Timlin Kevin is a CE Board member and a corporate lawyer at the world’s largest law firm, Dentons. Kevin is determined that being Care Experienced does not have to define an individual for life and will work hard to do whatever he can to improve outcomes for all Care Experienced people across Scotland.

Trevor Hillman Until recently Trevor was the UK Operations Director for a commercial insurance company.

Trevor strongly believes in helping people and is keen to use the career/life skills that he has, to ensure that members and the wider Care Experienced community are listened to, treated fairly and with respect.

Sarah-Jane Linton Sarah-Jane is a Head of Faculty at Edinburgh College and a loving foster parent to three amazing sons. Sarah-Jane is personally committed to eradicating poverty and inequality for children in Scotland using her educational expertise.

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Meet the New National Representative NEWS & EVENTS

I

n 2014 Who Cares? Scotland became a membership organisation for the Care Experienced community.

Over that time, the ways in which we engage with our members has grown and diversified. A key area of work has been the opportunity to engage members at a national level, beyond the array of local activity which happens across the country.

Our journey to explore representation started with the Care Council which brought young people together from across the country for regular residential experiences. This work became the prototype from which we have been able to build and learn. In 2018 we moved from the Care Council to The Collective, which created

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the space for a broader range of our members (specifically adults) to engage in our representative spaces. Over the course of 2020 the Community Development team worked with the Collective to shape our thinking about what the next chapter of representation might look like for our membership community.

The Collective was brought to a conclusion in December 2020 and the recruitment process for a new body was initiated.

On the 27th February 2021 Who Cares? Scotland held the second annual Members’ Assembly (p10-11) – here we introduced the fourteen members of our newly formed National Representative Body (NRB).

The NRB will be key in supporting

y d o B

the Annual Participation Programme, and our ambition to engage members more broadly with it.

The NRB also create an important vehicle for the views and opinions of members to be heard and understood by the organisation.

Our new Representatives will be in post for a two-year term. They will operate within a formal volunteer structure and be supported primarily by the Community Development Team. Further details regarding the Representatives will follow in due course, and regular updates will be provided to staff and members about their activity.

Meet your Representatives:

Amie Tait

Katrina Gallacher

Hiya, I’m Amie. I will do everything I can to be the best Representative for you and I believe we will be a bold bunch ensuring your voices are amplified! For a lifetime of Equality, Respect and Love, hope to see and speak to you soon!

Hello Beautiful People! I have recently completed my Bachelors(hons) degree in Community Development at the University of Glasgow in 2020.

My background is in Youth work. I am honoured and excited to be a National Representative for Who Cares? Scotland.

Jasmin Pilling

Kira Henry

My name is Jasmin-kasaya, I am originally from Kenya and grew up in the Highlands. As a Representative I hope to achieve better outcomes for Care Experienced young people, with a push for changes in policy as this will result in systematic change for generations of Care Experienced people.

Hello! I’m Kira, I’m 18 years old and I’m from East Renfrewshire. As one of the NRB I hope to work towards engaging with members to overcome different challenges and barriers that may be present. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of the NRB and thank you for electing me.

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NEWS & EVENTS

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Liam Slaven

Shannon Boston

My Name is Liam and I’m 21 years old from Falkirk. I joined the NRB because I am passionate about representation and people’s voices being heard. This is our time to help shape the transformation of a broken system and make change for everyone who is in and has been through that system.

Hello, I’m Shannon and I live in Shetland. As a Representative, I hope to help implement the changes brought forward within The Promise and to be an open ear for anyone within our Who Cares? Scotland family. I want to put down the stepping stones so that a Care Experienced person has somewhere to turn to for equality, respect and love at whatever stage they are at in life. Here’s to sharing the love! I’m very excited about what the future holds!

Louise Kelly Hello, I’m Louise. I am honoured to have been selected to be one of your National Representatives and I know, that alongside the wonderful team of us who make up the NRB, we are going to bring about the inclusion, accurate representation, equality and love that we have so desperately fought for over many years.

Lynda Greig Hi, I’m Lynda. Who Cares? Scotland helped me to realise where I come from, understand what it means to be Care Experienced, but most importantly they helped me know where I’m going. They gave me the strength to find my voice and use it in the best way. Now I try to return the favour, by striving to make real long-lasting positive change in the care system, putting Equality, Respect and LOVE at the heart.

Thomas Bartlett Hello, my name is Thomas and I am 17. I am so excited to get started with the NRB. I will be studying health and social care at college and hopefully psychology at university.

I am looking forward to all the challenges to come and thank you for electing me.

Tia Mure Hi I’m Tia. I work for the NHS. I am a physical activity coach in Ayrshire, working with children and families.

My commitment to Care Experienced people is to ensure that as many people as possible feel like they have been listened to and feel empowered as individuals and a community. I’d love for all Care Experienced people to learn to own their care identity, as I believe that gave me strength, knowing I was not alone.

Marissa Roxburgh Hi Everyone! My name is Marissa, I’m 20 years old and I live in East Renfrewshire. As your Representative, I hope to help make a positive difference. I hope to work with you in order to learn your views on issues and make sure that your voices are heard. Thank you for electing me to be one of your Representatives.

Xavier Rae Hi I am Xavier. I am super proud to be representing all of you for the next two years as part of the NRB. I am still a student studying cookery in Edinburgh and I hope to bring a young point of view across when discussing pressing issues in the community. I am originally from the Highlands, but I hope to bring a plethora of knowledge to deal with issues that affect everyone not just small groups of individuals.

Nicole Bain Hi everyone, I’m Nicole and I live in Aberdeen. I’m 26 and I’m just over the moon to be a part of the NRB. I’ve known about Who Cares? Scotland since I was about 12 years old when I was in care myself, so it’s great to be able to give back. I can’t wait for things to get back to normal so I can meet and greet with you all!

bout the questions a y n a ve a h y please If you ntative Bod se re p e R l a n or from the Natio avin or Greg G , ig ra C ct conta nt team.

Developme Community

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H H H NEWS & EVENTS

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Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

NEWSFLASH

flash to our members. However, we know that very month we send out a digital newsletter called News to the internet. That’s why we are inlcuding a not all of our members will have an email account or access months and sharing them again, here in SpeakOut, so roundup of important headlines from the last couple of you don’t miss out! ng email address, just email membership@ If you haven’t been receiving NewsFlash but have a worki whocaresscotland.org and we’ll update your details.

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Care Day 2021 Care Day 2021, like many events this past year, took on a new form, running entirely digitally, but we still managed to celebrate in style and feel connected across the country and beyond.

5 Nations 1 Voice Q&A with Commissioners We kicked off our 6th international Care Day celebrations with a live Q&A with the Commissioners/Ombudsman from the UK and Ireland. The event was hosted by Tayler Walters, a Care Experienced young person from Wales, and the panel asking the questions was made up of Care Experienced young people from across the 5 Nations. The session was attended by over 150 people. A Care Experienced attendee described the event as ‘an opportunity to feel heard’.

A big thank you to Thomas Bartlett, a member from West Lothian who represented us on the panel. He did an amazing job.

Thomas said, “I found the experience really informative, and I felt really privileged to be a part of it. It was really nice to meet Bruce Adamson and I felt he responded to the questions in a very positive way and gave answers that were easy to understand for all people watching/listening. I think it’s important for Care Experienced young people to know who Scotland’s Commissioner is because he is in a very good position to promote and stand up for rights of Care Experienced young people. My personal highlight from the event was meeting the other Care Experienced people from the other 4 nations and seeing that we all stand up for equality and for other Care Experienced young people.”

If you weren’t able to join – you can catch the full Q&A recording on our website.

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“Objects” Podcast Care Day also saw the release of our podcast series “Objects”, where across seven episodes, Charlotte Armitage is joined by Care Experienced guests (including some familiar faces) to explore some of the most important moments of their lives through the objects that define them. You’ll find the episodes on our website.

South Lanarkshire Care Day Celebrations South Lanarkshire had members Yoga-ing, crafting and shaping Corporate Parenting Plans, before bringing the day to a close with a live music set and a Care Day dance off!

#CareDay21 Selfie Challenge The amount of love and support that was shown for Care Day and the Care Experienced community was lovely as loads got involved in the#CareDay21 Selfie Challenge. #CareDay21 was actually trending on Twitter!

Our Corporate Partners, Ashurst, a global law firm, who picked Who Cares? Scotland as their 2021 Charity of the Year also shared a Care Day video message with our members.

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England Announces Review of Care System With the next steps of the review of care in England announced, our CEO Louise released a statement offering its new leader, Josh MacAlister and Care Experienced people in England, whatever support they need.

The Virtual Kiltwalk is Back!

#UNCRC Incorporation has happened in Scotland!

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Fancy joining us for this year’s Virtual Kiltwalk Weekend, 23rd-25th April 2021?

We know that this is going to be different from previous Kiltwalks, but we still need you to #WalkWithLove for love. All money raised is going to be topped up by an extra 50% by the Hunter Foundation.

You can register below or email fundraising@ whocaresscotland.org if you’d like to speak to the Fundraising Team about taking part.

The historic UNCRC Scotland Bill passed unanimously on March 16th and is now enshrined in Scots law.

This is an incredible step forward in ensuring children and young people’s rights are upheld and respected.

Navigating the World of Rights Report Launched

We Support the Right to Independent Advocacy

On #HumanRightsDay (10th December) we launched our ‘Navigating the World of Rights’ report. This is the first incredible output from our Annual Participation Programme and is the result of you, our members, telling us about your experience of child & human rights in care and beyond. You can find this report on our website.

Our recent work on Child and Human Rights has been cited in the briefing on the need to incorporate the right to independent advocacy into law, created by SIAA (Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance) and HRCS (Human Rights Consortium Scotland).

As an independent advocacy provider for Care Experienced people, we fully support a move to incorporate a right to independent advocacy and believe all Care Experienced people should be able to participate in decisions that impact their lives.

We want to thank everyone who contributed to this report – you are amazing!

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Claudia Leaving Who Cares? Scotland After 9 Years Dear members, Thanks for letting me spend the past 9 years with you. Whether that was at a campaign event, on the camp field or on Christmas Day, leading us round Glasgow for the Love Rally, sharing fancy dress ideas at Time to Shine, dancing at the Carelidh, having my hair and face decorated countless times by you, being by your side in parliament, in the paper or on TV, just having hugs and chats in the office or at other events, or receiving calls or updates from you when you had something incredible to share with me, or you just needed to speak to me or get to me sign a form or read over an essay for college, uni or school – it’s been the best

time of my adult life.

I am so looking forward to continuing to see you in so many of the usual places when we can get back to doing stuff outdoors and in person! As although I’m leaving my job with Who Cares? Scotland, you’re not getting rid of me at all.

So, continue to be amazing, get the support you need from our great Advocates, lend your voice to our ‘influencing the world for the better’ work and keep on making friends and creating memories with each other.

I will always be by your side.

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See you soon!

All my love, Claudia

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NEWS & EVENTS

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Ann Prog

The Annual Participation

e t a d Up W

ho Cares? Scotland’s first ever Annual Participation Programme came to an end in March and a new calendar of activities will be launching very soon. Even though it has been a really difficult year and we’ve not been able to come together in person, many of you were still keen to take part, get involved and have your voice heard!

Thank you so much to all of you who participated.

What is the Annual Participation Programme?

The Annual Participation Programme is made up of a calendar of opportunities and activities where members can share their thoughts and ideas about a range of themes across the year.

Members can pick and choose how and if they want to be involved as we offer different ways to share your views. For example, during the last annual programme, some members chose to come to online workshops, some answered surveys and others chatted in their local groups about specific topics.

Once we have heard from members about a certain theme, all your insights, views and opinions are written up into different types of reports. These views are then shared 18

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with people who in positions to influence and make change, like the Scottish Government and MSPs. Who Cares? Scotland have created the Annual Participation Programme because we want to make sure that more of your voices get heard by the right people at the right time. We all know how important it is that people with power listen to and understand the experiences of Care Experienced people and the Annual Participation Programme is way for you to share what you think about some of the important issues in policy and law.

What did we do during last year’s Annual Participation Programme?

Last year, members got together in small online groups, individually or with their local groups to discuss and influence policy and legislation around these three themes: • Child and Human Rights • Covid Recovery • Realising the Promise

Child and Human Rights: This theme was chosen because we know through advocacy, participation, and consultations, that Care Experienced People’s rights, as children and as adults are often neglected, dismissed or abused. We also knew that the Scottish Government was looking at two specific ways to try and better protect child and human rights in the law.

The first was the Incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law. The Bill was created in 2020 and before it could be passed into a law, the Scottish Parliament had to ask the public and specific groups about their experiences and opinions. So, this was the perfect chance to send Care Experienced People’s voices on Child rights and Human Rights to parliament. The second opportunity

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nual Participation gramme 2020-21

Prog Pro gramme was to share members’ experiences with the ‘National Human Rights Taskforce’ set up by the Scottish Government in 2019, which aims to reduce the negative impacts to rights and equality caused by Brexit.

Over 80 members got involved in this theme from across Scotland, which was an amazing response during the pandemic. From this, we created the ‘Navigating the World of Rights’ report which you can read on the Who Cares?

Scotland website. The report covers why members feel it is important that their child and human rights are protected in law, policy, and practice and how they think this should happen, including a set of recommendations for change.

Covid-19 Recovery: This second theme was chosen because it was clear that people in power needed to understand the impact of the global pandemic on Care Experienced People in particular.

The Helpline that we set up at the start of the pandemic gave us some important insights into the challenges Care Experienced People were facing during lockdown. We knew however, that it was really important even more members had the opportunity to share

their experiences of the pandemic in

their own words and suggest ways the Government should help Care Experienced People in the recovery from Covid-19.

Over 90 members were represented

in this second theme and we have shared the findings in our ‘Covid-19 Recovery Planning’ report (see website), which shares members’ views on the impact the pandemic has had on their lives and what can be done to better support people as we move forward in 2021.

This has been shared already with the Scottish Government and will continue to influence how we want Scotland to plan recovery from the pandemic.

How can I get involved this year?

In April we will be launching the 2021-22 Annual Participation Programme and there will be a new calendar of opportunities to get involved with. This year we are hoping to consult with members about 6 themes! The themes are chosen by looking at what the critical issues are in advocacy, participation and through the membership survey and through the Helpline. We then look at what the Scottish Government and Parliament are going to be doing throughout the year so that we know that your

insights on certain themes will have a powerful impact.

So, keep an eye out for emails from us, on social media and from local Who Cares? staff for the themes in early April. In late May we will start setting up online meetings, sending out surveys and local groups may be discussing the themes. Remember, you can get involved in a way that you feel comfortable with.

If you have any questions, please contact Beth and Lucy at policy@whocaresscotland.org

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a g n i r e e t Volun Who Cares NEWS & EVENTS

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Heather Donaldson , Volunteering Development Officer

The Friday Fun Chat I

Lynda Greig, WC?S Member & Volunteer

want to tell you all about our new group ‘The Friday Fun Chat’ that I started recently during lockdown. I think the main reason I wanted to start this group was because of the way lockdown had been affecting me.

Everything was going digital which was great as it meant that I could stay involved with my groups and the young people by doing quizzes, etc but there was something missing. Volunteering for me is about connection and relationships, and while I could go to a group and join in, there was always an agenda, something that we were there to do. So, I wanted to create a space with no agenda, you know that space where you get a catch up before the meeting starts, that space where we can have a laugh at what happened on the way in.

A safe space where we can be ourselves, no expectations.

I wasn’t sure if anyone else felt the same and thought it could be a flop, does anyone really want to come on zoom for another meeting and no real purpose to it? So, me being me (and I’m sure some of you know me!) I decided to make sure the group had my mark on it.

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So, yes, you guessed it I had to dress up!

We were talking about our favourite movies and in true Lynda style I put 3 of my favourites - Elf, Hocus Pocus and Trainspotting - into one crazy outfit.

This of course made us laugh, which I think everyone needs more of right now.

This group has been such fun to host, it honestly feels more like a weekly catch up with family, and we’ve learned Greek and some weird facts - like bee’s feet smell and The Queen protects dolphins as well as swans, who knew? Thank you to everyone who comes along and to you for reading.

Sending love,

Lynda xx

“I enjoy The Friday Fun Chat, it’s good to catch up with everyone and to see how they are doing, since we can’t in person. As a mum of 2 I don’t have much time to see or speak to many people unless it’s about my children. The group is amazing, and everyone has a great laugh, and my 2 girls get to see my care family. Also, it gives me something to do while my oldest is at nursey.”

- Nicole “Happiness is talking to my best friends/family for hours. Our pointless conversations mean a lot to me.”

- Candice “I really enjoy this group, it’s a great opportunity to talk about everything and have fun!”

- Mary “The group’s a lovely space to join on my lunch break! It’s filled with laughs, throwbacks and obviously love. There is never any pressure to put our cameras on as we know we are all going through the motions of the corona-coaster and sometimes zoomed out. But you always leave with a smile.”

- Tina

at s? Scotland NEWS & EVENTS

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Rosie Dee on the Decks Hello,

I’d like to introduce myself for those of you who don’t know me.

My name is Rosemary Drylie and I’m the resident DJ for Who Cares?

Scotland and its members! You can catch my show on Thursday nights from 6pm – 7pm!

About me: I trained as a hairdresser and worked happily at that for 20 years, before deciding on a new career.

I did not just want a change of job, so I chose to train and work in the care sector. The first 17 years of that career were spent in an assessment centre, large residential schools and smaller houses. Eventually, I did get a wee bit disillusioned listening to my own voice, telling young people, “watch your language”, “take 5 mins out”, etc. And that was only me. There were several members of staff on duty at any given time, so if I was fed up with it, goodness knows how the young people felt with numerous other staff members telling them the same thing.

That’s when I decided to change my career and start advocating for the young people.

This opened a new world to me – resources I did not know existed, areas of Scotland I had never been to, but more than that, the young people

WANTED to see me and work with me. As soon as they were reassured that I only worked for them, positive relationships were formed much quicker.

I do also think that my time in residential care helped me during this transition. My background working in care had afforded me a greater understanding of most issues faced by Care Experienced young people. To this day, I am still in touch with young people I worked with back then, who are now parents themselves. They will remember me as Rosemary Murray.

I loved being a voice for young people. With age, comes a confidence which made my work with young people and professionals across the sector easier to deal with and resulted in good outcomes for the young people.

Fast forward to Spring 2018…

My husband had newly retired, and it was something I thought I

should do also. Big mistake! I stuck retirement for a few short months before coming back to do temporary cover for Who Cares? Scotland. This finished in June 2020. I think I was more prepared this time.

What was evident was that I did not want to lose contact with the young people, who had remained in contact with me via social media, messenger etc. So, I began broadcasting a weekly music show, aimed at Care Experienced young people. The show is broadcast on a Thursday evening between 6 - 7pm, (although it frequently overruns ha ha). There is a chat feature which is very active and often very funny too. So, if you are curious, why not join me on a Thursday and see what it’s all about.

And as they say, the rest is history!

What do listeners say?

“Rosie Dee’s radio show means I can stay connected with my care family during these weird times”

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Fiona Checks In I

t has been over a year since Scotland first went into lockdown, although some days that might feel harder to believe. Many of us have grown accustomed to limiting our trips outdoors and hardly seeing friends in person, if at all.

I know for some members of the care community Covid-19 has made life tougher. It really has been such a strange time and I hope that you have coped.

It is true that life has changed in the past 12 months. But not all change is bad…

It was heartening on the anniversary of the conclusion of Care Review in February, to see a recommitment to the change needed for Scotland to #KeepThePromise by lots of folks, including politicians and organisations.

The change the care community demanded cannot wait for the worse of the pandemic to pass. So, since the summer, I have been working hard to get The Promise set up (The Promise is the name of the organisation that will drive the change demanded by the Care Review).

Last autumn, more than 100 organisations – including every local authority – told The Promise what they planned to do to change.

These commitments (and more) will form one multi agency, cross sector, collectively owned Plan for change, due to be published imminently.

This change cannot happen without the care community.

Although The Plan is phased across ten years, it begins with a focus on the urgent and immediate changes required during years 2 through to

4. These are the things that will have the greatest impact on the lives of children and young people and their families. And one of the most important is properly listening and responding to what children and their families want and need.

Almost 100 applications were received to join The Promise Oversight Board and when it meets for the second time it will consider this Plan to check it honours the stories the Care Review heard.

Then the Oversight Board will hold Scotland to account by regularly checking and monitoring progress made against what’s in the Plan.

This Plan is for Scotland to deliver.

My hope is that when it is published you will want to read it. It will be on The Promise website and social media soon.

But the role of the care community does not end there… I was so pleased to see so many familiar faces at The Promise webinars, especially the one about The Promise Design School.

Graduates of The Promise Design School will make sure that the care community’s knowledge and skills are at the heart of future service design and decision-making.

From April 1st, The Promise will transition to its permanent home, outside of Scottish Government, retaining independence and continuing to drive change. So much has been learned since the Promise was set up in July 2020 and the team is shaping itself in light of that learning.

But I have been most buoyed by the continued enthusiasm, support and interest from the Care Experienced

Would you like to know more about The Promise?

• Email: hello@thepromise.scot • Visit: thepromise.scot • Twitter @PromiseScot • Facebook @ThePromiseScotland • Instagram @thepromisescotland

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community. I have had questions, thoughts and comments from so many and it is clear that everyone is watching closely the progress being made. I recently recorded some answers to your questions which Who Cares? Scotland will be sharing online soon – I hope you find a chance to watch it (although please forgive the mess of my hair!).

And please do keep talking to the Promise, through the website, social media channels or at hello@ thepromise.scot. We are listening.

It is often said that real change takes time, and while that is often the case, change can and is happening now. That is down to the resolute and dedicated effort that you have put into changing the world, for better, for those who come after. The Care Review would never have happened without you and because of you Scotland has learned to do better. I made a promise to you and I will keep it – and I will hold Scotland to it too.

Fiona

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Care Experienced History Month is Right Around the Corner B

ack in October 2020, we announced that Who Cares? Scotland would be hosting the first ever Care Experienced History Month in April 2021.

We have been working hard to create the foundations of Care Experienced History Month to ensure that it will go on to happen every year. Part of this involved the

creation of Scottish and International steering groups, with the members of both groups announced on social media at the end of February. In both groups there is a great range of interests and skills, and real diversity in experiences and backgrounds.

Global Steering Group The global steering group is made up of consultants from around the world. By researching their country’s history of care and creating content, the steering group members will begin to create a global context and raise awareness of Care Experienced people’s history.

The Global Steering Group includes Dr Dee Michell, Robin Sen, Amanda Gavin, Tupua Urlich, Keri Richmond, Sean Geoghegan, and Kate McGeary.

Scottish Steering and Event Planning Group We have brought together consultants from across Scotland who are interested in the history of Care Experience. Together, they will curate events and shape and guide the direction of Scotland’s first ever Care Experienced History Month.

The Scottish Steering Group consists of Dr Christine Whyte, Lorna Goodbrand, Ian Milligan, Amy-Beth Miah and David Anderson.

Untold Stories

Visit our website to meet all the steering group members and find out more about Care Experienced History Month www.whocaresscotland.org/ what-we-do/campaigns/ history-month

Care Experienced History Month will also be about celebrating Care Experienced people whose stories haven’t been told yet. We asked you to nominate people you think we should shine a spotlight on. We’ll share these remarkable stories with you throughout April.

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Meet Your Advocate

Kelly is the Advocacy and Participation worker for Perth and Kinross.

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y wee family is made up of me, my husband Scott, our 2 gorgeous daughters, Bethan and Hollie and our crazy loveable dog Nala!

As a family we like love nothing more than finding new walks with Nala or going for bike rides, and for us you can’t beat a good movie night with a pick and mix of sweets and popcorn!

I absolutely love musicals and music in general. I am in my element going to the theatre, watching live music or being part of a show. I really enjoy being part of my local amateur musical club and love performing on stage, although I do get super nervous. I also co-host a community radio show on K107fm which it such a good laugh. I really enjoy hearing new music and supporting local and Scotland wide talent to get their music heard.

My other passion is mindfulness, which has helped me loads personally. I also love teaching others to learn and find techniques that work for them. Before working with WC?S, I taught mindfulness to children and young people in school and youth groups.

Why did you want to become an advocate?

I became an advocate as I really love working with children and young people and I’m truly passionate about children’s rights. I feel it is a privilege to be that person who can be a vehicle to help children and young people to get their views heard. I really enjoy learning about the people I work with and building that trust, so they know that they have the power and right to be part of the decisions that are being made for them.

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Kelly Laing

Why do you think independent advocacy is important?

I think independent advocacy is so important, as it means that we can be there fully with the child or young person without there being any other reason. We have their back and will support them without judgement.

This means we can build long lasting, trusting relationships with the child or young person. They know we will be there when they need us to help empower and support them in what matters to them.

What has it been like being an advocate during a global pandemic and lockdown?

I am fairly new to WC?S, starting in December 2020, so I have only really known everything as it is just now and I have to admit it’s been a really strange but interesting way to start a new role. It’s the small things like person-to-person interaction that I miss but my wee team If you are from Perth have been amazing and & Kinross and think you so supportive.

I am really looking would like advocacy you can get forward to when in touch with Kelly on 07748 494 I can get out and 341. If you live somewhere else about and meet all but think you would like advocacy, the children and look at the map on the back of young people I have this magazine where you will been chatting and find the contact details zooming with!

for all of our APWs.

s y a Stephanie S

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

I

n this edition I will be focusing on making our last days of Tier 3 tear free. I know times are tough, but the end of lockdown is in sight and these fun and free activities for all ages should keep us busy till we can get back out into the world!

Do you love animals?

Do you miss fun day outings? Don’t fret as I have found a range of fun virtual animalbased experiences.

Whether you’re interested in endangered animals or just want to check in on your favourite wildlife’s lockdown adventures the links below are guaranteed to satisfy.

• https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/ sandiegozooglobal/wildwatch-kenya • https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/ live-cams

Whether you are studying, working from home or simply enjoy reading, Libraries are still here to help with free books and audiobooks easily accessible via the internet! Check what your local library has to offer by visiting your local council’s website.

Feel like a break from reality? Stretch your virtual feet and take a trip to these amazing destinations with just a few clicks! Enjoy the views from the comfort of your own home.

• Cliffs of Moher, Ireland – www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ virtual-visit-tour • Yellowstone National Park, USA – www.nps.gov/yell/ learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm • Northern Lights – www.explore.org/livecams/auroraborealis-northern-lights/northern-lights-cam

With no more excuses left and what seems like nothing but time, Join me as I embark on my improving my fitness with these fun zoom classes! Rest less have 5 free videos with amazing instructors for you to try.

• www.restless.co.uk/health/ healthy-body/5-free-online-exercise-classes-to-tryduring-lockdown/

Now if you are looking for some out of this world fun these links are for you! I love space and I am not talking about the current 2 meter rule that we should be abiding to. Below are some amazing virtual space experiences provided by NASA and different platforms. If you are looking to learn more about our galaxy or just curious for a peek at the coolest office ever, don’t worry I’ve got you!

• www.spacecenter.org/app • spotthestation.nasa.gov • www.nasa.gov/nasa-at-home-virtual-tours-andaugmented-reality

Feeling stressed or are you just looking to exercise your lockdown limbs? Enjoy a free online yoga class! Your body and mind will thank you.

• www.govanhillbaths.com/ projects/whats_on/activities/

Are you a theatre bug like me? Then you will love the free range of opera and theatre films that Whats On Stage have to offer. Get the popcorn ready and put your feet up, the show begins when you are ready.

• www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/ stage-shows-musicals-opera-free-streamonline_51198.html

Times are tough, but there is a light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel. I hope that these activities bring you some happiness and I will see you on the other side!

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ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

y e n r u My Jo ed c n e i r e p x E e with a Car p u o r G e r t a e h T

By Chloe Wyper, WC?S Member

I

n 2018, I joined the Citizens Theatre Care Experienced Ensemble – We Are Citizens. The company was created to support Care Experienced young adults (18-26 years) to create work and develop their performance skills.

At the time of joining, it had been a while since I participated in any drama activities despite it being something I loved to do. The WAC Ensemble provided the perfect opportunity. I am so glad I went along because it genuinely has changed my life for the better.

At the beginning of the project, we participated in various workshops where we learned different techniques we could bring into our performance practice, for example, using movement or sound or even puppetry – that was one of my personal favourites. These workshops gave us an insight into the possibilities available to us as actors 26

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

and equipped us with tools that I’ve subsequently used.

Since the initial workshops, we have worked on a variety of performance projects. A personal highlight for me was our performance of Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles?, performed at Scottish Youth Theatre in February 2020. It was an amazing thing to experience with each other, work on a performance and get reactions from friends and family. I was so proud of all of us. Last year was a very challenging time for the group as we could not meet together but we didn’t let lockdown stop us.

While Covid-19 restrictions have been in place, we have continued to meet virtually to create and perform a new play via Zoom at Christmas. Our creativity never faltered as we devised and performed Elf Strike, despite little experience of working in this way.

WAC has taught me so much about myself, I’ve developed my skills as an actor and performer, but it has also gifted me with so many amazing friends. It has become my safe haven, where I can go and know that I don’t have to worry about being myself or trying to fit in. It’s such a welcoming group. The Citizens Theatre staff are always accommodating and have also become very dear to me.

So, if you are reading this and thinking ‘hey that sounds like something I’m interested in’, then you’re in luck, we are recruiting! If you want to join, please get in touch with the Citizens Theatre team at wac@ Citz.co.uk.

For more information about the company: https://www.citz.co.uk/ take-part/theatre/care-experiencedtheatre-ensemble

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

r e k a e B y c What Tra s U o t s n a e M

By Kenny Murray, Public Affairs Coordinator

T

racy Beaker is one of the most beloved characters in British culture, and yet has always been a point of contention for us as Care Experienced people. Since starting the ‘Who We Are’ project, I’ve been able to coordinate a number of conversations about Tracy Beaker and how she represents Care Experienced people.

Care Experienced people have told me that it’s an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of their lives. I’ve heard that it’s not realistic to the experience in residential care and that the character of Tracy perpetuates stigma for Care Experienced people. It had to be better.

We agreed and from the beginning of the ‘Who We Are’ project we’ve been working with Jacqueline Wilson to improve the story.

Who Cares? Scotland members from across the country were involved in meeting Jacqueline Wilson in 2018, to discuss the latest book, ‘My Mum Tracy Beaker’. Throughout this meeting, they made the voice of the Care Experienced community heard.

After this, we were involved in the editing process of the sequel, which is undoubtedly a much more fair and accurate portrayal.

Late last year, we heard that they were making an TV adaptation of the book, ‘My Mum Tracy Beaker’ and were invited to consult on it with the writer Emma Reeves and the director John Mackay and producer, Spencer Campbell.

A number of Who Cares? Scotland members and Care Experienced people from across the UK met with Emma and gave our opinions on the failings and the positives of previous Tracy Beaker stories.

The adaptation of a book we find problematic, is always going to present challenge and difficult conversations but I’m under no illusion

that during our time with Emma we left no stone unturned. It won’t ‘fix’ our understanding of Tracy Beaker or reform the public narrative around her character, at least not overnight.

The response to the new show on social media was that it was a more fair and accurate portrayal of Care Experienced people. It is only because Care Experienced people were consulted with and listened to, that people are now able to say that.

Going forward, we now have a more positive relationship with the legacy of Tracy Beaker. We have consulted on the book and now the TV show. We’re in preliminary conversations about consulting on any new show or book in the future.

If you’d like to get involved in the work of the ‘Who We Are’ project or find out more about our work with Tracy Beaker, email kmurray@ whocaresscotland.org W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

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IN IT TO WIN IT… NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

O

nce you have completed the IN IT TO WIN page please return it to us by Thursday 10th June 2021 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice! You can do this by giving the page to your WC?S APW, emailing a photo of your entry to memberhsip@whocaresscotland.org or PMing us it on Facebook. You can also post it to 40 Wellington St, Glasgow, G2 6HJ. Good Luck!

QUIZ ME What colour is the Teletubby Tinky Winky?

Tell us the answers to these Easter themed questions.

Name the group who went to no.1 in Easter 2004 with the song Colours in her Hair?

What happens to the clocks in spring?

Which British comedian plays E.B aka the Easter Bunny’s teenage son in Hop?

SCRAMBLED EGGS Unscramble the words.

FMALIY

NAME THE RABBIT

DCAYN

JLELYBNEAS

HAMESMEOWLLS

YOUR NAME: AGE: PHONE: WC?S WORKER: RETURN YOUR ENTRIES TO: Who Cares? Scotland, 40 Wellington Street, Glasgow, G2 6HJ W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D

its?

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Who are these famous rabb

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GEGS

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What does the rabbit in Lewis Caroll’s Alice In Wonderland always carry with him?

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LAST ISSUES WINNERS ARE: Erica (24), Emma (10) , Noah (17), Candice (21), Alister (8)

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N U F R O F T S U J NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | SPRING 2021

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NEWS & EVENTS SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | SUMMER Speak Out Magazine | SPRING2020 2021

R O I N U J O S t our younger a h w t u o g in d n fi ves t him know! le Buddy the Bear lo u o y re su e k a en up to! M members have be

a m m E h it W … o T w o H

…Make an Easter Egg Wreath Step 2:

• Cut out egg shapes on your card. I cut 14 but you can do as many as you like!

TIP! You can draw a template with pencil on the card first, cut it out and use that to cut the rest out. This will help keep them all the same size!

What you will need: • Paper plates • White card or colourful card • Ribbon (any colour you want!)

• Colourful felt tips/crayons/ pencils or anything you want to use to decorate your eggs with!

• Scissors • Glue stick Always make sure an adult helps you with the cutting!

Step 1:

• Cut the middle circle section out of your paper plate and place this to the side.

TIP! Ask an adult to help you. Be careful not to cut yourself!

Step 3:

• This is the fun bit!

• Use your felt tips/pencils/crayons and even glitter to decorate each egg!

• Attach your ribbon to the top of the wreath. This is what you will use to hang your wreath up.

TIP! Leave enough ribbon to tie a lovely bow at the top.

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

• Using your glue stick, stick each egg onto the paper plate.

Overlap each one to make it nice and full!

• Remember to glue an egg over the ribbon to hide where it connects round the top of the wreath TIP! Press down as you glue each egg. This will help it stick!

Step 6:

Step 4:

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Step 5:

• Hang your beautiful Easter Egg Wreath up on your door or even on door handles!

• Make loads with different colours and designs!

to send us Make sure ter f your Eas pictures o ! We’d love s h t a e r W Egg m. to see the

NEWSSO & EVENTS JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | SUMMER 2020 SPRING 2021

Crafty Foxes Arts & Crafts

…Make a Mini Egg Cheesecake Ingredients • 280 g Digestive Chocolate Biscuits • 140 g Butter Unsalted, melted • 360 g Mini Cadburys Mini Eggs plus 270g to decorate (about 7 small bags in total) • 550 ml Double cream plus 50ml to decorate (lightly whipped until it forms soft peaks) • 140 g Icing Sugar sifted • 2 x 280g Tubs of Philadelphia Cream Cheese Full fat • Juice of half a lemon

T

he Crafty Foxes have been hard at work throughout lockdown creating wonderful pictures, posters, and fantastic artwork!

In response to the pandemic in 2020, all young people were sent out activity packs on a regular basis, with lots of art activities to do at home during lockdown!

Many groups all over Scotland have been doing the same and it has been an amazing way to keep our members crafting!

When it became clear that the restrictions were going to be in place for a while, virtual sessions were set up.

Who Cares? Scotland even supported some of the Crafty Foxes members to gain access to tablets, so that they could keep in touch online, and to help with home schooling!

Our volunteers also made our Crafty Foxes posters, reminding them to stay safe and to let our wee foxes know what they had been doing at home!

Instructions 1. Crush the biscuits until they look like lumpy sand.

2. Mix with the melted butter and press into your 7 inch tin.

3. Chop the 360g of the Mini Eggs in half (Please get an adult to help you with this bit!)

4. Combine the whipped cream, icing sugar, cream cheese, lemon juice and chopped Mini Eggs. Fold in gently until fully combined.

5. Smooth on top of the biscuit base and flatten the top with the back of a spoon or a palette knife if you have one.

6. Chill for 2 hours or even better, overnight.

7. Remove the cheesecake from the tin.

8. Plop the remaining whipped cream on top of the cheesecake and pile on the remaining Mini Eggs (some chopped in half).

9. Share and enjoy!

Here are some of our Crafty Foxes lockdown arts and crafts!

Baking tips!

• The consistency of your cheesecake should be sliceable but not solid. Something like room temperature butter, it will give a little quiver if you wobble it gently.

• When whipping the double cream, be sure to watch it very carefully. It should be just forming soft floppy peaks, but still hold its shape. Too runny and the no bake cheesecake will be sloppy, too stiff and it will be too dense.

• Sift the icing sugar, it will give a much smoother texture to the cheesecake.

• Mini Eggs are tricky to cut and crush, please be careful and use a very sharp knife (Please get an adult to help you with this bit!)

• Warm a sharp, thin knife under a hot tap and then dry it.

Use this to run around the outside of the cake, inside the tin, before removing. Remove the knife and wipe it as you work your way around the cake. (Please get an adult to help you with this bit!)

• Cheesecake too runny and will not set? It is probably because your cream wasn’t whipped quite enough. No problem! Pop it into the freezer for a few hours before serving.

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Sian Wild APW Shetland 07599044615

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