Speak Out Winter 2017

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017

a t a h W

! r e k c a r C P26 cotland’s 2017 S ? s re a C o h W The winner of Competition is revealed.

Christmas Card

PLUS!

QUIZ PAGES, SO JUNIOR AND THE TIME TO SHINE FESTIVAL

Welcome to the latest is sue of SpeakOut NEWS & EVENTS CONTENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

. .. e id s in s t’ a h w t u o k c e Ch

Hello, Welcome to the SpeakOut Winter 2017 issue!

Here at Who Cares? Scotland, we can’t quite believe that the year is coming to a close. And what a year it’s been! 2017 has seen the WC?S staff team grown to over 120 dedicated workers, whilst the WC?S Family Membership has gained over 400 new members and is sitting at a total of 1,751 Members – well and truly Scotland’s largest care experienced family!

This year has been a year of achievements, so we thought we’d go over some of the highlights, which would not have been possible with you, the Members of Who Cares? Scotland: The launch of 1000 Voices campaign; the Commission for Widening Access guaranteeing places at University and a full bursary for all care experienced students; 2 more care experienced young people graduating from the Harvard Summer School; raising £26,000 through the Kiltwalk; Nicola Sturgeon demonstrating her commitment to care experienced people by launching the Care Review; the ‘Who Cares’ STV documentary which has now been nominated for a BAFTA; gaining 2 seats and a voice in the Scottish Youth Parliament; then there’s the everyday highlights you chose to share with us here at SpeakOut, which we love to shout about in every issue!

And in true WC?S fashion, we haven’t stopped yet, so check out this issue to see the photos from the Time to Shine Festival; find out about several new Champions Boards kickstarting across the country; the latest update from Fiona Duncan and the 1000 Voices team; plus the launch of our new strategic plan and what that really means for you.

We can’t wait to see what 2018 brings, but until then have a very Merry Christmas!

Take Care,

The Speak Out! Team xxx

Inside this issue 2-3

Welcome Pages

13

4-5 6 7 8 9 10

Celebrating You Tremanna’s Nevis Odyssey Changing Perspectives Going Wild Meet the (Corporate) Parents Reflections

2

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

27

IE KATITOR ED

News & Events...

11 12

13

14 15

16-17 18

19 20

Keeping up with Carly The Start of the West Lothian Champions Board Falkirk Champions Board Launch and Fun Day Fiona Checks In 1000 Voices Update Discovery Stage Regional Round Up WC?S Welcomed Back to North Lanarkshire Flying the Flag for Fife WC?S AGM and the Launch of the Strategic Plan

21-23 24 25 26 27 28-29

Time to Shine Festival 2017 Duke of Edinburgh The Moray Self Build Project What a Cracker What’s Hot What’s Not Quiz Pages

SO Junior...

21

Say Hey to your Editorial team…

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT?

Lifestyle...

Entertainment...

7

NEWS WELCOME & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

30-31 SO Junior 32 Contact Page

We do!

LAURA

ROS IE

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.

SAFFRO

TIA

N

CALLUM

@whocaresscot

Who Cares? Scotland Community membership@ whocaresscotland.org

RLY

CA

LIE

CHAR

KAREEN

Want to join next issue’s editorial team?

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

ie – just get in touch with Kat We’d love to have you, 560 069 16 sscotland.org / 078 membership@whocare

JEMMA

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

3

Welcome to the latest is sue of SpeakOut NEWS & EVENTS CONTENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

. .. e id s in s t’ a h w t u o k c e Ch

Hello, Welcome to the SpeakOut Winter 2017 issue!

Here at Who Cares? Scotland, we can’t quite believe that the year is coming to a close. And what a year it’s been! 2017 has seen the WC?S staff team grown to over 120 dedicated workers, whilst the WC?S Family Membership has gained over 400 new members and is sitting at a total of 1,751 Members – well and truly Scotland’s largest care experienced family!

This year has been a year of achievements, so we thought we’d go over some of the highlights, which would not have been possible with you, the Members of Who Cares? Scotland: The launch of 1000 Voices campaign; the Commission for Widening Access guaranteeing places at University and a full bursary for all care experienced students; 2 more care experienced young people graduating from the Harvard Summer School; raising £26,000 through the Kiltwalk; Nicola Sturgeon demonstrating her commitment to care experienced people by launching the Care Review; the ‘Who Cares’ STV documentary which has now been nominated for a BAFTA; gaining 2 seats and a voice in the Scottish Youth Parliament; then there’s the everyday highlights you chose to share with us here at SpeakOut, which we love to shout about in every issue!

And in true WC?S fashion, we haven’t stopped yet, so check out this issue to see the photos from the Time to Shine Festival; find out about several new Champions Boards kickstarting across the country; the latest update from Fiona Duncan and the 1000 Voices team; plus the launch of our new strategic plan and what that really means for you.

We can’t wait to see what 2018 brings, but until then have a very Merry Christmas!

Take Care,

The Speak Out! Team xxx

Inside this issue 2-3

Welcome Pages

13

4-5 6 7 8 9 10

Celebrating You Tremanna’s Nevis Odyssey Changing Perspectives Going Wild Meet the (Corporate) Parents Reflections

2

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

27

IE KATITOR ED

News & Events...

11 12

13

14 15

16-17 18

19 20

Keeping up with Carly The Start of the West Lothian Champions Board Falkirk Champions Board Launch and Fun Day Fiona Checks In 1000 Voices Update Discovery Stage Regional Round Up WC?S Welcomed Back to North Lanarkshire Flying the Flag for Fife WC?S AGM and the Launch of the Strategic Plan

21-23 24 25 26 27 28-29

Time to Shine Festival 2017 Duke of Edinburgh The Moray Self Build Project What a Cracker What’s Hot What’s Not Quiz Pages

SO Junior...

21

Say Hey to your Editorial team…

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT?

Lifestyle...

Entertainment...

7

NEWS WELCOME & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

30-31 SO Junior 32 Contact Page

We do!

LAURA

ROS IE

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.

SAFFRO

TIA

N

CALLUM

@whocaresscot

Who Cares? Scotland Community membership@ whocaresscotland.org

RLY

CA

LIE

CHAR

KAREEN

Want to join next issue’s editorial team?

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

ie – just get in touch with Kat We’d love to have you, 560 069 16 sscotland.org / 078 membership@whocare

JEMMA

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

3

CelebratingYou! NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

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

h t u o Y e r i h s w Renfre s d r a w A e c i Vo memberhip@whocares

scotla

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

By Demi-Jo, 16

I

n November Who Cares? Scotland’s Communities that Care group, attended the Renfrewshire Youth Voice (RYV) - Positive About Youth Awards night at the Normandy Hotel because we had been nominated for the Campaign for Change award. This is an award for a group or individual who has made positive change by campaigning and engaging with their communities. We had been nominated because of all the training we had been doing with local corporate parents such as Police Scotland and Renfrewshire Youth Services.

On the night myself, Kareen, Chloe, Candice, Danielle, Helen, Cartney, Sabrina, Paula, James, Thomas, Micheal, Kyle, Kieran and Alice, along with Julie and Lynsey attended.

When we arrived the excitement was tangible. As they started reading out the title of the award we had been nominated for we all felt so nervous but also so united as well, without speaking we all reached out to take the hands of the people next to us, and I knew that even if we didn’t win, this feeling of togetherness and achievement was the only real award we needed However, to our utter amazement and joy the presenters called out our names as the winners, and although I was so happy we

W

ho Cares? Scotland Member, Jordan Ross, aged 13, represented Scotland at the regional finals for tumbling with British Gymnastics in Birmingham. He secured second place gaining a silver medal and will again represent Scotland at the British finals in Telford.

Congratulations Jordan, this is an amazing achievement!

4

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

13 , a r a L y Brave b

Tiger & Cub by Lar a, 13

The National Mod Lisa, 14

Be Happy Look at me, I’m just me, Even though I’m in care, I still have feelings, Just like you, I’m no different, So why judge me if I’m With a carer and not with family.

T

won I was also so nervous my first thought being: “oh!!! I’ve got to walk to the stage now, what if I fall!!?” Standing on stage with everyone from our group made me feel so proud, winning such a massive award was a real honour.

his year I took part in the National Mod. The National Mod is the most important of several major Mods in Scotland. It’s the main festival of Scottish Gaelic literature, songs, art and culture. I was part of my school choir and we had to learn 10 songs for 3 competitions. We won the Unison 13-18 category and the Two-Part Harmony 13-18 category too. We shared the Gaelic prize with Sgoil Lionacleit.

I’ve got people who Love me, People who care, So why do people judge me For who I am, My sexuality, Who cares, Yes I’m Bisexual, Does it Matter, No. Come on, Stand up, Speak out, Take it as pride, Don’t be alone, People who judge, Walk away, Stroll on with pride, Be happy for who you are, Doesn’t matter what people think, It’s your life, Don’t be afraid, Stand up with pride.

“Here you see two snowmen. One of them is in care and living with Foster Carers, while the other one lives at home with his parents. One has been abused in their childhood, while the other one has had a happy childhood where they have been loved. Try and guess which is which.

It’s hard, isn’t it? No matter what our past has been, we are all equal we are all the same don’t judge somebody by their past judge them on what they choose to do with their future.”

Molly

Charlie, 16

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

5

CelebratingYou! NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

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

h t u o Y e r i h s w Renfre s d r a w A e c i Vo memberhip@whocares

scotla

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

By Demi-Jo, 16

I

n November Who Cares? Scotland’s Communities that Care group, attended the Renfrewshire Youth Voice (RYV) - Positive About Youth Awards night at the Normandy Hotel because we had been nominated for the Campaign for Change award. This is an award for a group or individual who has made positive change by campaigning and engaging with their communities. We had been nominated because of all the training we had been doing with local corporate parents such as Police Scotland and Renfrewshire Youth Services.

On the night myself, Kareen, Chloe, Candice, Danielle, Helen, Cartney, Sabrina, Paula, James, Thomas, Micheal, Kyle, Kieran and Alice, along with Julie and Lynsey attended.

When we arrived the excitement was tangible. As they started reading out the title of the award we had been nominated for we all felt so nervous but also so united as well, without speaking we all reached out to take the hands of the people next to us, and I knew that even if we didn’t win, this feeling of togetherness and achievement was the only real award we needed However, to our utter amazement and joy the presenters called out our names as the winners, and although I was so happy we

W

ho Cares? Scotland Member, Jordan Ross, aged 13, represented Scotland at the regional finals for tumbling with British Gymnastics in Birmingham. He secured second place gaining a silver medal and will again represent Scotland at the British finals in Telford.

Congratulations Jordan, this is an amazing achievement!

4

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

13 , a r a L y Brave b

Tiger & Cub by Lar a, 13

The National Mod Lisa, 14

Be Happy Look at me, I’m just me, Even though I’m in care, I still have feelings, Just like you, I’m no different, So why judge me if I’m With a carer and not with family.

T

won I was also so nervous my first thought being: “oh!!! I’ve got to walk to the stage now, what if I fall!!?” Standing on stage with everyone from our group made me feel so proud, winning such a massive award was a real honour.

his year I took part in the National Mod. The National Mod is the most important of several major Mods in Scotland. It’s the main festival of Scottish Gaelic literature, songs, art and culture. I was part of my school choir and we had to learn 10 songs for 3 competitions. We won the Unison 13-18 category and the Two-Part Harmony 13-18 category too. We shared the Gaelic prize with Sgoil Lionacleit.

I’ve got people who Love me, People who care, So why do people judge me For who I am, My sexuality, Who cares, Yes I’m Bisexual, Does it Matter, No. Come on, Stand up, Speak out, Take it as pride, Don’t be alone, People who judge, Walk away, Stroll on with pride, Be happy for who you are, Doesn’t matter what people think, It’s your life, Don’t be afraid, Stand up with pride.

“Here you see two snowmen. One of them is in care and living with Foster Carers, while the other one lives at home with his parents. One has been abused in their childhood, while the other one has had a happy childhood where they have been loved. Try and guess which is which.

It’s hard, isn’t it? No matter what our past has been, we are all equal we are all the same don’t judge somebody by their past judge them on what they choose to do with their future.”

Molly

Charlie, 16

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

5

LIFESTYLE

TREMANNA’S NEVIS ODYSSEY T

remanna provide a nurturing and safe environment for five young people supported by an experienced and committed care team.

During early April we held our annual development day during which young people and staff lay out their hopes and shared goals for the coming year. One of the goals shared by a young person was to climb Mount Everest, when we asked more questions as a group around this it became clear that this was about overcoming challenges and personal achievement. While ascending the highest mountain in the world was beyond our grasp we decided to explore what we could achieve along similar lines.

This discussion prompted further conversations in the weeks afterwards and a plan was made to submit an application to the Life Changes Trust to fund an ascent of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain.

We were over the moon when our funding was approved and over the months that followed we put our plan into action. Training climbs of Ben Ledi, Ben Ann and Dumayat were completed in the expected mix of Scottish weathers.

We were accompanied on our climbs

by Dave and Scott from Strangeboat who were capturing our journey on film, the purpose of this being the young people and their families would have a video keepsake of our shared achievement.

6

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

On the 20th August three young people and two staff members left Tremanna heading for Fort William and settled for the night in readiness for what lay ahead.

At 8.30am the following morning after meeting our guide we began our ascent, steep twisting paths, swarms of midgies and ankle breaking boulders lay in our way but despite these challenges a very sweaty and tiring 4 hours later we summited the highest point in Great Britain.

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

We stayed on the top enjoying our achievement for 45 minutes before beginning our march back to sea level.

A further 3 and a half hours later, and by now completely exhausted , we returned to the minibus having completed our goal safely.

The whole team celebrated that night with gallons of fizzy juice and a fantastic 3 course meal in Fort William town centre. The talk round the table was of aching legs, shared memories and aspirations achieved.

We are incredibly proud of the grit and determination showed by our young people to complete the safe ascent and decent of Ben Nevis, it just goes to show that when you combine aspiration with effort and teamwork you can achieve some amazing things.

Our thanks go out to the Life Changes trust for funding our adventure, Falkirk Council for going along with our crazy plan and Strangeboat for capturing our journey on film.

Next stop Everest!

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Changing Perspectives; Seeing yourself and the world another way James Sherriff

M

y journey as a boy was a very turbulent one. Growing up in Cornwall my attendance at school was less than 50% throughout primary and the first half of secondary school.

Despite my poor attendance, I looked forward to school with its warm school meals and a break from being at home.

My mother drank heavily, as she had done for most of her life, drinking away the problems and pains she was unable to face from her childhood. My father had left long ago, and made himself a new family in another country, leaving me to fend for myself and my younger half-brother.

I was that kid that got stuck at the back of the classroom, and who the teacher largely ignored. I was seen as a lost cause, with no hope of going anywhere, ever. Up until I was 13 I believed this too, because that is what the world had told me, and so I told that story to myself again and again.

I was bullied badly at school, I spent more time in arcades than I did in the classroom, desperately looking for some kind of belonging. I remember stealing money from my mum and hiding it under the carpet, so that my brother and I would have some cash to buy food with later in the week. Those were really tough years, and it reached a point where I felt like I was on a cliff edge, one I could fall off of at any moment and into a life of crime.

I’m sharing this with you to hopefully put my story into perspective, because at 13 my life takes a radically different turn. The kindness of just one person is where it all began. Someone giving me undivided attention, some thought, consideration and the care which I desperately needed, stopped me from going over that cliff edge. I discovered that actually there was a lot that I was interested in, but I had just never been given a chance to experience it.

I discovered that I loved languages, other cultures, countries and kayaking, but I still hated maths despite my best efforts! I had no hobbies and definitely no friends, but by this time I had learned a new language, and if this was possible then I wondered what else could I do!

Aged 13 I went into foster care, first of all for weekends with different families, and then long term with one family for 5 years until I was 18.

I was encouraged to join my local Air Cadet Corps and this is where I discovered my love of flying. At 13 I flew in a glider, and my foster parents started helping me catch up with my schooling, which meant by the time I was 16, I was teaching younger cadets how to fly before I was even able to drive a car. Flying, literally, changed my perspective of my life and how I saw myself, and led to my desire to join the RAF and fly jets. Unfortunately, I didn’t have perfect eyesight so I took the next best option of Aircrew, operating radios and radar systems in the back of aircraft whizzing around the sky at 200 miles per hour. I did that for 7 years, flying on operations around the world, before choosing to leave on grounds

of conscience during the Iraq war back in 2006.

Now, some 10 years on, I fly for the Scottish Government on Maritime Patrol flights around Scotland. It took many years of blood, sweat and tears to achieve this dream. Believing in myself helped me get through the tough times when I just wanted to give up. The truth is that no matter where we come from, we all deserve a chance to be seen, to be heard and to be encouraged to connect with what inspires and to discover what we love and what we have to share.

I believe that we really can achieve anything we want to, sometimes all that is needed is a little love, care and support from others to get the ball rolling. I know that you, reading this have much to give in this world, and that care experienced people have often got more substance, fibre, strength and depth than many people I have ever met. I hope my brief story encourages you to reach out and remember that you have much to give, the world will thank you for it. It all starts with small positive steps in the right direction.

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

7

LIFESTYLE

TREMANNA’S NEVIS ODYSSEY T

remanna provide a nurturing and safe environment for five young people supported by an experienced and committed care team.

During early April we held our annual development day during which young people and staff lay out their hopes and shared goals for the coming year. One of the goals shared by a young person was to climb Mount Everest, when we asked more questions as a group around this it became clear that this was about overcoming challenges and personal achievement. While ascending the highest mountain in the world was beyond our grasp we decided to explore what we could achieve along similar lines.

This discussion prompted further conversations in the weeks afterwards and a plan was made to submit an application to the Life Changes Trust to fund an ascent of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain.

We were over the moon when our funding was approved and over the months that followed we put our plan into action. Training climbs of Ben Ledi, Ben Ann and Dumayat were completed in the expected mix of Scottish weathers.

We were accompanied on our climbs

by Dave and Scott from Strangeboat who were capturing our journey on film, the purpose of this being the young people and their families would have a video keepsake of our shared achievement.

6

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

On the 20th August three young people and two staff members left Tremanna heading for Fort William and settled for the night in readiness for what lay ahead.

At 8.30am the following morning after meeting our guide we began our ascent, steep twisting paths, swarms of midgies and ankle breaking boulders lay in our way but despite these challenges a very sweaty and tiring 4 hours later we summited the highest point in Great Britain.

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

We stayed on the top enjoying our achievement for 45 minutes before beginning our march back to sea level.

A further 3 and a half hours later, and by now completely exhausted , we returned to the minibus having completed our goal safely.

The whole team celebrated that night with gallons of fizzy juice and a fantastic 3 course meal in Fort William town centre. The talk round the table was of aching legs, shared memories and aspirations achieved.

We are incredibly proud of the grit and determination showed by our young people to complete the safe ascent and decent of Ben Nevis, it just goes to show that when you combine aspiration with effort and teamwork you can achieve some amazing things.

Our thanks go out to the Life Changes trust for funding our adventure, Falkirk Council for going along with our crazy plan and Strangeboat for capturing our journey on film.

Next stop Everest!

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Changing Perspectives; Seeing yourself and the world another way James Sherriff

M

y journey as a boy was a very turbulent one. Growing up in Cornwall my attendance at school was less than 50% throughout primary and the first half of secondary school.

Despite my poor attendance, I looked forward to school with its warm school meals and a break from being at home.

My mother drank heavily, as she had done for most of her life, drinking away the problems and pains she was unable to face from her childhood. My father had left long ago, and made himself a new family in another country, leaving me to fend for myself and my younger half-brother.

I was that kid that got stuck at the back of the classroom, and who the teacher largely ignored. I was seen as a lost cause, with no hope of going anywhere, ever. Up until I was 13 I believed this too, because that is what the world had told me, and so I told that story to myself again and again.

I was bullied badly at school, I spent more time in arcades than I did in the classroom, desperately looking for some kind of belonging. I remember stealing money from my mum and hiding it under the carpet, so that my brother and I would have some cash to buy food with later in the week. Those were really tough years, and it reached a point where I felt like I was on a cliff edge, one I could fall off of at any moment and into a life of crime.

I’m sharing this with you to hopefully put my story into perspective, because at 13 my life takes a radically different turn. The kindness of just one person is where it all began. Someone giving me undivided attention, some thought, consideration and the care which I desperately needed, stopped me from going over that cliff edge. I discovered that actually there was a lot that I was interested in, but I had just never been given a chance to experience it.

I discovered that I loved languages, other cultures, countries and kayaking, but I still hated maths despite my best efforts! I had no hobbies and definitely no friends, but by this time I had learned a new language, and if this was possible then I wondered what else could I do!

Aged 13 I went into foster care, first of all for weekends with different families, and then long term with one family for 5 years until I was 18.

I was encouraged to join my local Air Cadet Corps and this is where I discovered my love of flying. At 13 I flew in a glider, and my foster parents started helping me catch up with my schooling, which meant by the time I was 16, I was teaching younger cadets how to fly before I was even able to drive a car. Flying, literally, changed my perspective of my life and how I saw myself, and led to my desire to join the RAF and fly jets. Unfortunately, I didn’t have perfect eyesight so I took the next best option of Aircrew, operating radios and radar systems in the back of aircraft whizzing around the sky at 200 miles per hour. I did that for 7 years, flying on operations around the world, before choosing to leave on grounds

of conscience during the Iraq war back in 2006.

Now, some 10 years on, I fly for the Scottish Government on Maritime Patrol flights around Scotland. It took many years of blood, sweat and tears to achieve this dream. Believing in myself helped me get through the tough times when I just wanted to give up. The truth is that no matter where we come from, we all deserve a chance to be seen, to be heard and to be encouraged to connect with what inspires and to discover what we love and what we have to share.

I believe that we really can achieve anything we want to, sometimes all that is needed is a little love, care and support from others to get the ball rolling. I know that you, reading this have much to give in this world, and that care experienced people have often got more substance, fibre, strength and depth than many people I have ever met. I hope my brief story encourages you to reach out and remember that you have much to give, the world will thank you for it. It all starts with small positive steps in the right direction.

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

7

LIFESTYLE

D L I W Meetthe Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

GOING H

i everyone, we would like to share with you a little adventure we had up North in a lovely place called Culbin Forest.

We had an idea; ‘to create more outdoor and camping opportunities that allow us to be together, have fun and deepen connections’.

We also wanted to explore how we could do more camps (both wild and maybe less wild) with younger people in 2018 and beyond.

We pulled together a fantastic team of older young people who were up for a ‘Wild Camp’, and by that, I mean we arrived and had to set up camp, build our kitchen, build an outdoor toilet, organise food, source and build our fire for cooking and warmth and generally become an awesome team who helped each other out.

We called on help from a wide variety of people; Wild Things!, an environmental charity, for the compost toilet; High life Highland for tents/sleeping mats and Moray Council’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme for loads of kit and equipment. I also had heaps of outdoor gear and was most certainly the ‘logistics’ man!

On Friday 22nd September an amazing group of people met at Findhorn village marina to take a water taxi across to the forest. We walked along the beach, passing a beautiful seal colony before arriving at our destination…basecamp.

For 3 days and 2 nights we shared food, fun, fire building techniques, time together and lots more. A huge thanks to Lesley (Moray Development Officer) for her cooking skills and to all the team who supported her.

8

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

Duncan was truly brilliant, really bringing in his sense of humour (you know what I mean) and his all-round ability to inspire us. Tom got the team organised around one of our key elements - ensuring we had enough wood for fuel- to keep us warm, keep our food hot.

Tom also played some beautiful music on his fiddle to keep our spirits high, thank you Tom. We had a tracking/wild life instructor, Dan, pop in to do a fascinating session with us, it involved blindfolding Duncan, hooray!

What the Happy Campers had to say…

“We need to run one every month” (Oh! Winter could be cold!)

“Spending time in such a beautiful place makes me realise my troubles are far away, I needed this time out!”

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Parents (Corporate)

I

n the Children and Youn g People (Scotland) Act 2014, sec tion 9 names lots of different organisations as ‘corporate parents’. A corporate parent has a set of respo nsibilities, in law, designed to make sure that young people in care ge t the help and support they need to do well - just like any parent wo uld want for their child. The Sco ttish Fire and Rescue Service (SF RS) is a corporate parent. Elaine Gerrard is the Diversity Manage r for the SFRS, and is really passi onate about corporate parentin g.

SpeakOut caught up wi th Elaine to find out more.

What can you do as a corporate parent to enhance the lives of care experienced people?

I have lots of ideas but I’d much rather hear directly from young people themselves about what they think we could do. People tend to think of the fire service as only putting out fires – we do that, but we do much more. One thing I really admire about my colleagues is their openness and ability to be good role models and mentors and this is certainly something I think we could focus on as corporate parents.

How can you boost awareness of care experience within the SFRS?

We created a short video and recorded what people were saying about their camp experience and this was also linked to our 1000 Voices ‘Journeys in the North’. We even made a talking piece and everyone found something to add to it.

Thanks to everyone who made this camping trip possible, it was the first of what we hope will be many more camping experiences.

The first is raising awareness amongst my colleagues through training so they understand a bit more about care experienced young people and how corporate parents can be involved. The second is implementing our Corporate Parenting Plan because we all know that actions speak louder than words. I’m not really sure that people realise that we are a corporate parent and a very willing one at that. So, the final thing is to encourage and welcome young people to approach us with their ideas about how we can be better corporate parents.

What does the perfect care system look like to you, and how can the SFRS play a part?

What is your favourite part of your job as a corporate parent?

I suppose it would be difficult to design a single care system that would be considered perfect for everyone. I would hope the goal is to be flexible and responsive to the needs and wishes of the individual and provide opportunities to nurture young people and help them reach their potential.

That probably means doing things differently for different people even if they share seemingly similar circumstances.

I’d like to see a care system that had a less disruptive impact on young people – that might mean keeping more people closer to home, fewer placements etc – and to do that it has to be a system driven by the views of young people themselves.

Hmm, can I have more than one favourite? I have really enjoyed listening to the success stories of young people and how they have thrived and grown into successful young adults despite sometimes being dealt a pretty rubbish hand – I have learned so much through this and it has changed my view on some things. I am enjoying focusing on something that has the potential to make a positive impact on an individual’s life even if it is just something small. And, I enjoy seeing the enthusiasm my colleagues have for getting involved with corporate parenting and listening to their ideas about what we can do next.

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

9

LIFESTYLE

D L I W Meetthe Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

GOING H

i everyone, we would like to share with you a little adventure we had up North in a lovely place called Culbin Forest.

We had an idea; ‘to create more outdoor and camping opportunities that allow us to be together, have fun and deepen connections’.

We also wanted to explore how we could do more camps (both wild and maybe less wild) with younger people in 2018 and beyond.

We pulled together a fantastic team of older young people who were up for a ‘Wild Camp’, and by that, I mean we arrived and had to set up camp, build our kitchen, build an outdoor toilet, organise food, source and build our fire for cooking and warmth and generally become an awesome team who helped each other out.

We called on help from a wide variety of people; Wild Things!, an environmental charity, for the compost toilet; High life Highland for tents/sleeping mats and Moray Council’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme for loads of kit and equipment. I also had heaps of outdoor gear and was most certainly the ‘logistics’ man!

On Friday 22nd September an amazing group of people met at Findhorn village marina to take a water taxi across to the forest. We walked along the beach, passing a beautiful seal colony before arriving at our destination…basecamp.

For 3 days and 2 nights we shared food, fun, fire building techniques, time together and lots more. A huge thanks to Lesley (Moray Development Officer) for her cooking skills and to all the team who supported her.

8

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

Duncan was truly brilliant, really bringing in his sense of humour (you know what I mean) and his all-round ability to inspire us. Tom got the team organised around one of our key elements - ensuring we had enough wood for fuel- to keep us warm, keep our food hot.

Tom also played some beautiful music on his fiddle to keep our spirits high, thank you Tom. We had a tracking/wild life instructor, Dan, pop in to do a fascinating session with us, it involved blindfolding Duncan, hooray!

What the Happy Campers had to say…

“We need to run one every month” (Oh! Winter could be cold!)

“Spending time in such a beautiful place makes me realise my troubles are far away, I needed this time out!”

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Parents (Corporate)

I

n the Children and Youn g People (Scotland) Act 2014, sec tion 9 names lots of different organisations as ‘corporate parents’. A corporate parent has a set of respo nsibilities, in law, designed to make sure that young people in care ge t the help and support they need to do well - just like any parent wo uld want for their child. The Sco ttish Fire and Rescue Service (SF RS) is a corporate parent. Elaine Gerrard is the Diversity Manage r for the SFRS, and is really passi onate about corporate parentin g.

SpeakOut caught up wi th Elaine to find out more.

What can you do as a corporate parent to enhance the lives of care experienced people?

I have lots of ideas but I’d much rather hear directly from young people themselves about what they think we could do. People tend to think of the fire service as only putting out fires – we do that, but we do much more. One thing I really admire about my colleagues is their openness and ability to be good role models and mentors and this is certainly something I think we could focus on as corporate parents.

How can you boost awareness of care experience within the SFRS?

We created a short video and recorded what people were saying about their camp experience and this was also linked to our 1000 Voices ‘Journeys in the North’. We even made a talking piece and everyone found something to add to it.

Thanks to everyone who made this camping trip possible, it was the first of what we hope will be many more camping experiences.

The first is raising awareness amongst my colleagues through training so they understand a bit more about care experienced young people and how corporate parents can be involved. The second is implementing our Corporate Parenting Plan because we all know that actions speak louder than words. I’m not really sure that people realise that we are a corporate parent and a very willing one at that. So, the final thing is to encourage and welcome young people to approach us with their ideas about how we can be better corporate parents.

What does the perfect care system look like to you, and how can the SFRS play a part?

What is your favourite part of your job as a corporate parent?

I suppose it would be difficult to design a single care system that would be considered perfect for everyone. I would hope the goal is to be flexible and responsive to the needs and wishes of the individual and provide opportunities to nurture young people and help them reach their potential.

That probably means doing things differently for different people even if they share seemingly similar circumstances.

I’d like to see a care system that had a less disruptive impact on young people – that might mean keeping more people closer to home, fewer placements etc – and to do that it has to be a system driven by the views of young people themselves.

Hmm, can I have more than one favourite? I have really enjoyed listening to the success stories of young people and how they have thrived and grown into successful young adults despite sometimes being dealt a pretty rubbish hand – I have learned so much through this and it has changed my view on some things. I am enjoying focusing on something that has the potential to make a positive impact on an individual’s life even if it is just something small. And, I enjoy seeing the enthusiasm my colleagues have for getting involved with corporate parenting and listening to their ideas about what we can do next.

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

9

NEWS LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Speak Out Out Magazine Magazine || WINTER WINTER 2017 2017

Reflections Sammi-Ray, 15

G

rowing up in foster care, I did not think much about going to college/ university. However, halfway through high school, I convinced myself that I could succeed in higher education.

Even though I have not had the best start in life, it does not mean I cannot have a great future. College is not something people usually talk to foster children about, we don’t grow up with the expectation that we will succeed. I have been in care since I was nine years old, it has been a rollercoaster ride, but my carers have been there for me when I needed them. Being in care can be difficult because you never know what is around the corner.

I still remember the day I found out I was going into care, it was a Tuesday and my 10th Birthday was a week away! I was in school and the weather was horrible. There were grey clouds in the dull sky, the rain was battering off the windows and the trees were going crazy. Just before lunch, my Head Teacher Mrs O’Neill came to my class, she told me she needed to speak to me and to bring my stuff. I had a feeling something was wrong, I could tell because of her facial expression.

Then I got the news that would change my whole life, I was going into foster care, I didn’t have a clue why though!

My old social worker Sandy, was waiting in the office for me along with my Auntie. I knew at that moment that I was going to receive bad news.

My Auntie never came to my school.

Her face was all red and blotchy from crying. She kept saying, “I’m sorry! We never wanted this to happen”. I didn’t know what she was on about! Then I got the news that would change my whole life, I was going into foster care, I didn’t have a clue why though!

10

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

From then on, my childhood was to be spent in the care system. As I look back, it was a mixture of good and bad experiences. One of the most difficult parts of foster care was that I did not know what was going to happen to me. There was always a sense of uncertainty and confusion. I often felt scared and alone. It’s important to know what’s happening in your life. I needed someone to explain the situation to me in a way that I could understand, someone I could trust and talk to.

Sometimes it felt like the foster carers were just in it for the money and that they didn’t really care about me. It didn’t feel right living with strangers, living with my family always felt like the best thing to me.

It meant so much to me that Susan took the time to listen and explain things in a way that I could understand.

Despite this, some of my experiences in foster care were positive. Initially I was placed in a wonderful and nurturing foster home with my carers, Susan and Dougie and their three kids; Kieran, Louise and Courtney. Susan and Dougie showed me love, patience, and kindness - all of the things a child needs. It felt like a real home to me.

We each had household chores and I learned about cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry. They told me when I grew up I would have a family, and that I would be a good mum. It meant so much to me that Susan took the time to listen and explain things in a way that I could understand. She talked to me about my mum and why she couldn’t take care of me. That was the first time I remember someone explaining the situation to me.

As a teenager, I made some bad choices and got into trouble. I was sent

It helped me to feel confident and to see that I had important things to share.

Now I love to communicate and give advice. to a residential unit, this experience changed my life but in a good way as that unit is still the place I call home.

The staff are wonderful. They believe in me and care about my future. My opinions are important to them. It was the first time in my life that anyone seemed interested in my opinion. It helped me to feel confident and to see that I had important things to share.

Now I love to communicate and give advice.

Looking back, there were many things that I wish had been different. It seems wrong that throughout my years in care, I never had a real relationship with any of my social workers. As a child it was hard to live through so much uncertainty and change, a relationship with my social worker could have provided me with some stability and helped me to feel less afraid.

Now I am 15 years old, I am achieving my goals at school. I will be sitting National Five English, Maths, Biology and Music in March 2018, I am currently at college for four hours a week doing health care. I am hoping to leave school in 2019 and go to Stirling University to do a degree in paediatric nursing.

Not bad for a kid who felt hopeless and lost at age 10. Being in care does not sentence me to anything. I may not have had control over how my story started but I can definitely write the ending.

Being in care does not sentence me to anything. I may not have had control over how my story started but I can definitely write the ending.

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

g n i p e Ke h t i w up

y l r a C NEWS & EVENTS

bassador Carly Telford, Corporate Parenting Am

B

ack in October we celebrated National Care Leavers Week Scotland. NCLWS is a week dedicated to care experienced young people. It’s an amazing platform for young people, professionals, families, friends and loved ones to take time and reflect on the significance of care experienced people’s unique achievements and contributions to their communities. Throughout the week there are a range of events, and this year I got a chance to attend an event in the East End of Glasgow at the Drygate Brewery, called ‘Dreams and Aspirations’.

The Dreams and Aspirations event was organised and hosted exclusively by care experienced young people. The event itself was structured around showcasing care experienced young peoples’ creative skills and talents – I was impressed by the wide variety on display. There were films, live performances, comedy, face painting and art and crafts. I was also really pleased to see that the young people designed the event to raise awareness positive care identity, celebrating it together in a safe space. What struck me about the day was that care experienced people could socialise in a casual and inclusive way - not regulated by social work and other third sector organisations. This gave them a chance to speak freely and gain valuable information on organisations which provide a service for care experienced people - services which could be really helpful in enabling them to do whatever they want to do.

In my role as Corporate Parenting Ambassador, I helped Kim, one of the Who Cares? Scotland advocates. We also had some help from my friend Callum, the Public Affairs Ambassador. We set up a stall which gave information on what Who Cares? Scotland does and how we can help care experienced young people. It was interesting to meet care experienced people my age but who have

had very different experiences to me. Many had taken different paths and it was great to make new friends, identifying parts of the work of Who Cares? that they may be interested or keen to get involved in.

In my opinion, this event and others like it are invaluable for young people. Firstly, it’s a safe space where care experienced young people can meet others like them and gain information on services. However, it also exposes them to positive role models throughout the sector, showing that no matter their aspirations and dreams - they can always achieve it, it’s just about finding a way.

It’s been a year since I started working with Who Cares?

Scotland and looking back on the things I’ve done and experienced – some incredible training sessions with corporate parents, the Barack Obama dinner, meeting Ministers and other hugely important decision makers – it’s clear to me that this role has been life-changing. I look forward to 2018 with Who Cares? Scotland, and to you, the readers of SpeakOut, I wish you all the merriest of Christmases and all the best in the new year!

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

11

NEWS LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Speak Out Out Magazine Magazine || WINTER WINTER 2017 2017

Reflections Sammi-Ray, 15

G

rowing up in foster care, I did not think much about going to college/ university. However, halfway through high school, I convinced myself that I could succeed in higher education.

Even though I have not had the best start in life, it does not mean I cannot have a great future. College is not something people usually talk to foster children about, we don’t grow up with the expectation that we will succeed. I have been in care since I was nine years old, it has been a rollercoaster ride, but my carers have been there for me when I needed them. Being in care can be difficult because you never know what is around the corner.

I still remember the day I found out I was going into care, it was a Tuesday and my 10th Birthday was a week away! I was in school and the weather was horrible. There were grey clouds in the dull sky, the rain was battering off the windows and the trees were going crazy. Just before lunch, my Head Teacher Mrs O’Neill came to my class, she told me she needed to speak to me and to bring my stuff. I had a feeling something was wrong, I could tell because of her facial expression.

Then I got the news that would change my whole life, I was going into foster care, I didn’t have a clue why though!

My old social worker Sandy, was waiting in the office for me along with my Auntie. I knew at that moment that I was going to receive bad news.

My Auntie never came to my school.

Her face was all red and blotchy from crying. She kept saying, “I’m sorry! We never wanted this to happen”. I didn’t know what she was on about! Then I got the news that would change my whole life, I was going into foster care, I didn’t have a clue why though!

10

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

From then on, my childhood was to be spent in the care system. As I look back, it was a mixture of good and bad experiences. One of the most difficult parts of foster care was that I did not know what was going to happen to me. There was always a sense of uncertainty and confusion. I often felt scared and alone. It’s important to know what’s happening in your life. I needed someone to explain the situation to me in a way that I could understand, someone I could trust and talk to.

Sometimes it felt like the foster carers were just in it for the money and that they didn’t really care about me. It didn’t feel right living with strangers, living with my family always felt like the best thing to me.

It meant so much to me that Susan took the time to listen and explain things in a way that I could understand.

Despite this, some of my experiences in foster care were positive. Initially I was placed in a wonderful and nurturing foster home with my carers, Susan and Dougie and their three kids; Kieran, Louise and Courtney. Susan and Dougie showed me love, patience, and kindness - all of the things a child needs. It felt like a real home to me.

We each had household chores and I learned about cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry. They told me when I grew up I would have a family, and that I would be a good mum. It meant so much to me that Susan took the time to listen and explain things in a way that I could understand. She talked to me about my mum and why she couldn’t take care of me. That was the first time I remember someone explaining the situation to me.

As a teenager, I made some bad choices and got into trouble. I was sent

It helped me to feel confident and to see that I had important things to share.

Now I love to communicate and give advice. to a residential unit, this experience changed my life but in a good way as that unit is still the place I call home.

The staff are wonderful. They believe in me and care about my future. My opinions are important to them. It was the first time in my life that anyone seemed interested in my opinion. It helped me to feel confident and to see that I had important things to share.

Now I love to communicate and give advice.

Looking back, there were many things that I wish had been different. It seems wrong that throughout my years in care, I never had a real relationship with any of my social workers. As a child it was hard to live through so much uncertainty and change, a relationship with my social worker could have provided me with some stability and helped me to feel less afraid.

Now I am 15 years old, I am achieving my goals at school. I will be sitting National Five English, Maths, Biology and Music in March 2018, I am currently at college for four hours a week doing health care. I am hoping to leave school in 2019 and go to Stirling University to do a degree in paediatric nursing.

Not bad for a kid who felt hopeless and lost at age 10. Being in care does not sentence me to anything. I may not have had control over how my story started but I can definitely write the ending.

Being in care does not sentence me to anything. I may not have had control over how my story started but I can definitely write the ending.

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

g n i p e Ke h t i w up

y l r a C NEWS & EVENTS

bassador Carly Telford, Corporate Parenting Am

B

ack in October we celebrated National Care Leavers Week Scotland. NCLWS is a week dedicated to care experienced young people. It’s an amazing platform for young people, professionals, families, friends and loved ones to take time and reflect on the significance of care experienced people’s unique achievements and contributions to their communities. Throughout the week there are a range of events, and this year I got a chance to attend an event in the East End of Glasgow at the Drygate Brewery, called ‘Dreams and Aspirations’.

The Dreams and Aspirations event was organised and hosted exclusively by care experienced young people. The event itself was structured around showcasing care experienced young peoples’ creative skills and talents – I was impressed by the wide variety on display. There were films, live performances, comedy, face painting and art and crafts. I was also really pleased to see that the young people designed the event to raise awareness positive care identity, celebrating it together in a safe space. What struck me about the day was that care experienced people could socialise in a casual and inclusive way - not regulated by social work and other third sector organisations. This gave them a chance to speak freely and gain valuable information on organisations which provide a service for care experienced people - services which could be really helpful in enabling them to do whatever they want to do.

In my role as Corporate Parenting Ambassador, I helped Kim, one of the Who Cares? Scotland advocates. We also had some help from my friend Callum, the Public Affairs Ambassador. We set up a stall which gave information on what Who Cares? Scotland does and how we can help care experienced young people. It was interesting to meet care experienced people my age but who have

had very different experiences to me. Many had taken different paths and it was great to make new friends, identifying parts of the work of Who Cares? that they may be interested or keen to get involved in.

In my opinion, this event and others like it are invaluable for young people. Firstly, it’s a safe space where care experienced young people can meet others like them and gain information on services. However, it also exposes them to positive role models throughout the sector, showing that no matter their aspirations and dreams - they can always achieve it, it’s just about finding a way.

It’s been a year since I started working with Who Cares?

Scotland and looking back on the things I’ve done and experienced – some incredible training sessions with corporate parents, the Barack Obama dinner, meeting Ministers and other hugely important decision makers – it’s clear to me that this role has been life-changing. I look forward to 2018 with Who Cares? Scotland, and to you, the readers of SpeakOut, I wish you all the merriest of Christmases and all the best in the new year!

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

11

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

The Start of the West Lothian Champions Board

By Janis and Liam, 19 … and so the journey begins as Liam and Janis head to Skye. (It took us 12.5 hours to get there because we got lost!)

Liam and I were asked if we wanted to go to the Columba 1400 centre on Skye to prepare for West Lothian starting a Champions Board. I asked Liam if he could he suffer me for a week, he laughed and said he was interested in going as he wanted to get ready for setting up a Champions Board. Liam arrived at the train station an hour early! He said, “it’s better being early than late”. We picked up 2 other people, Liam managed to pack 4 bags into the boot with no help from the rest of us and then we set off.

The journey was fun-ish according to Liam because we got lost. We arrived at 10.30 pm, went to our rooms and unpacked. I nearly forgot Liam wasn’t impressed with the Skye bridge, he

said it was too wee. Well you can’t please everybody! We met other champions and young people from all over Scotland and had an amazing time.

We got involved in team building exercises, search and rescue and canoeing. We also went on a walk and spoke about our values and what is important to us. We wrote these on a stone and spoke about them whilst walking. The Columba 1400 staff were really nice and funny and helped us with the week. Liam really enjoyed the talking stick and made new friends as well. The food was good and the staff selling the food were really nice.

We even had a piper at the last meal and there was a slide show of our time on Skye.

Liam learned a lot about himself and how being creative wasn’t just being good at art. He pushed himself

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

FALKIRK S N O I P M CHA H C N U A L BOARD Y A D N U AND F

to be a different person, to grow and leave his comfort zone. On the last day we were shown a presentation and were given certificates. We were sad to leave but also really excited about starting the Champions Board and applying the learning we had gained from our time with Columba 1400.

Liam has thought of a name for the new Champions Board … but we can’t tell you just yet, so watch this space.

F

alkirk Champions Board has officially launched following two successful events. Elected members of Falkirk Council and Corporate Parents were invited to a formal event in Callendar House on Wednesday 28 September 2017.

Attendees were treated to presentations by our young people, staff working on the Champions Board, the leader of Falkirk Council and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson.

The Dynamic Duo Laura and Liam dazzled the audience with their presentation describing their journey with the Champs Board.

Corporate Parents were asked to make a pledge of support to the Champions Board, even those who could not attend the event. So far we have 37 pledges of support!

“The official launch is the beginning of a new

12

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

movement in Falkirk. The effect of this will go far beyond the Board.” - Jack, Champions Board Member.

Falkirk Champs also hosted a family fun day in Callendar Park on Saturday 30th September 2017 to celebrate the launch of the project.

On the day there were lots of fun things happening; little ones had lots of fun listening to stories in our tipi tent and jumping on the bouncy castle; there were lots of animals there too! Dogs, birds of prey, even balloon spiders! Lots of people got their faces painted and took photos in the photo booth. There were prize games for hoopla and hook-a-duck. There was an arts and crafts stall where you could colour in Champions Board flags, make sun catchers and even learn to knit!

If you would like to know more about Champions Board activities, please call 01324 503680 to speak to Janet, Ray, Emily or Laura.

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

13

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

The Start of the West Lothian Champions Board

By Janis and Liam, 19 … and so the journey begins as Liam and Janis head to Skye. (It took us 12.5 hours to get there because we got lost!)

Liam and I were asked if we wanted to go to the Columba 1400 centre on Skye to prepare for West Lothian starting a Champions Board. I asked Liam if he could he suffer me for a week, he laughed and said he was interested in going as he wanted to get ready for setting up a Champions Board. Liam arrived at the train station an hour early! He said, “it’s better being early than late”. We picked up 2 other people, Liam managed to pack 4 bags into the boot with no help from the rest of us and then we set off.

The journey was fun-ish according to Liam because we got lost. We arrived at 10.30 pm, went to our rooms and unpacked. I nearly forgot Liam wasn’t impressed with the Skye bridge, he

said it was too wee. Well you can’t please everybody! We met other champions and young people from all over Scotland and had an amazing time.

We got involved in team building exercises, search and rescue and canoeing. We also went on a walk and spoke about our values and what is important to us. We wrote these on a stone and spoke about them whilst walking. The Columba 1400 staff were really nice and funny and helped us with the week. Liam really enjoyed the talking stick and made new friends as well. The food was good and the staff selling the food were really nice.

We even had a piper at the last meal and there was a slide show of our time on Skye.

Liam learned a lot about himself and how being creative wasn’t just being good at art. He pushed himself

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

FALKIRK S N O I P M CHA H C N U A L BOARD Y A D N U AND F

to be a different person, to grow and leave his comfort zone. On the last day we were shown a presentation and were given certificates. We were sad to leave but also really excited about starting the Champions Board and applying the learning we had gained from our time with Columba 1400.

Liam has thought of a name for the new Champions Board … but we can’t tell you just yet, so watch this space.

F

alkirk Champions Board has officially launched following two successful events. Elected members of Falkirk Council and Corporate Parents were invited to a formal event in Callendar House on Wednesday 28 September 2017.

Attendees were treated to presentations by our young people, staff working on the Champions Board, the leader of Falkirk Council and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson.

The Dynamic Duo Laura and Liam dazzled the audience with their presentation describing their journey with the Champs Board.

Corporate Parents were asked to make a pledge of support to the Champions Board, even those who could not attend the event. So far we have 37 pledges of support!

“The official launch is the beginning of a new

12

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

movement in Falkirk. The effect of this will go far beyond the Board.” - Jack, Champions Board Member.

Falkirk Champs also hosted a family fun day in Callendar Park on Saturday 30th September 2017 to celebrate the launch of the project.

On the day there were lots of fun things happening; little ones had lots of fun listening to stories in our tipi tent and jumping on the bouncy castle; there were lots of animals there too! Dogs, birds of prey, even balloon spiders! Lots of people got their faces painted and took photos in the photo booth. There were prize games for hoopla and hook-a-duck. There was an arts and crafts stall where you could colour in Champions Board flags, make sun catchers and even learn to knit!

If you would like to know more about Champions Board activities, please call 01324 503680 to speak to Janet, Ray, Emily or Laura.

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

13

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Fiona Checks In Dear Reader,

I

can hardly believe it’s time to write my end of year message! Since becoming the Chair of the Independent Care Review back in February so much has happened. It’s been a really important year for everyone working on the Review - and I hope for you too.

While sitting down to write this I’ve been thinking about all of the inspirational conversations I’ve had with children and young people so want to start by saying a HUGE thank you for everything you’ve done to support the Review!

Thank you for sharing your voice, for meeting me and other members of the Review team, and thank you for telling your story. I know that talking about your life can be really hard, and so your brave and thoughtful contributions are all the more appreciated.

Thank you too, for coming along to the fantastic events organised by the 1000 Voices team and building your root and branch trees and yellow brick roads to good care. The energy, imagination and honesty that you bring will make sure that Review is delivered with the voice of care experience - your voice - at its heart.

Your voice has also helped with the huge task of figuring out what needs to be thought in the next stage of the review, the ‘journey’.

2018 is the Year of Young People and looks to be full of fantastic events and opportunities for young people to shine. It will be a critical year for the Independent Care Review as we start on the Journey which will still involve listening - but it will also involve action!

Based on what you said, there will be a range of projects to start to put an end to the things you want to stop, and to put into practice more of what you like. Next year, we will also spend time investigating the complicated things that we know we need to understand better before we can figure out how to fix them.

At the beginning of 2018, the 14

Review will produce a Discovery Report which will include the first set of recommendations from the Review. Agreement will be reached on these with the help of a group of care experienced young people who’ll make sure that the recommendations, decisions and actions of the Review, throughout its duration, are codesigned by young people who have care experience. Of course, everyone who wants a copy of the Discovery Stage Report will get one.

If you would like to be #1of1000 voices, it would be great to hear from you. The next stage of the Review will offer opportunities for all voices to be heard, so if you’re not yet involved please do think about whether you’d like to be - and if so, just get in touch.

Look out for the fantastic new Review website that is launching this month and please make sure you have signed up for news at www. carereview.scot/get-involved/.

If you have any questions or you have a suggestion of something you’d like me to write about in the Speak Out column, you can also email fiona@carereview.scot or tweet me @fionacarereview.

So until next year, I wish you the very best for the festive season and beyond. Here’s to an amazing and inspirational 2018 - Year of Young People!

Thank you,

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

It has been a busy few months for the 1000 Voices team, and we are delighted to give you all an update on the Independent Care Review and what we’ve been up to!

In the last edition of SpeakOut, Chair of the Review Fiona Duncan, spoke about how we were in the Discovery stage of the Review, and were looking at getting young people’s answers to the two Discovery questions. These being: • •

What would the best care system in Scotland look like?

What do you think a root and branch review of the care system should include?

Using these questions as a starting point, our lovely Engagement & Development officers (Erin, KariAnn & Kieran, pictured) planned creative workshops that they could deliver to groups of children, young people & adults with care experience all over Scotland. They used different methods to cater for everyone, in order to gain your views and opinions that we can then pass onto the Review group.

Our team travelled all over Scotland throughout September, October and November. delivering workshops to groups of children, young people and adults in different care placements. We also held three exciting National events – in Paisley, Edinburgh and Inverness – where we spoke to over 100 people with care experience, and even had a visit from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at our Paisley event!

So…. what’s next?

The next stage of the Review is the Journey stage – this is where the Review group looks at the voices they have heard, and looks into how we can make these changes to the care system. The Journey stage will be an exciting time with lots of opportunity to get more and more children & young people involved and have their voices heard!

1000 Voices now have Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Please follow us on @1000voicesscot to keep up to date and to get involved!

Fiona

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

15

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Fiona Checks In Dear Reader,

I

can hardly believe it’s time to write my end of year message! Since becoming the Chair of the Independent Care Review back in February so much has happened. It’s been a really important year for everyone working on the Review - and I hope for you too.

While sitting down to write this I’ve been thinking about all of the inspirational conversations I’ve had with children and young people so want to start by saying a HUGE thank you for everything you’ve done to support the Review!

Thank you for sharing your voice, for meeting me and other members of the Review team, and thank you for telling your story. I know that talking about your life can be really hard, and so your brave and thoughtful contributions are all the more appreciated.

Thank you too, for coming along to the fantastic events organised by the 1000 Voices team and building your root and branch trees and yellow brick roads to good care. The energy, imagination and honesty that you bring will make sure that Review is delivered with the voice of care experience - your voice - at its heart.

Your voice has also helped with the huge task of figuring out what needs to be thought in the next stage of the review, the ‘journey’.

2018 is the Year of Young People and looks to be full of fantastic events and opportunities for young people to shine. It will be a critical year for the Independent Care Review as we start on the Journey which will still involve listening - but it will also involve action!

Based on what you said, there will be a range of projects to start to put an end to the things you want to stop, and to put into practice more of what you like. Next year, we will also spend time investigating the complicated things that we know we need to understand better before we can figure out how to fix them.

At the beginning of 2018, the 14

Review will produce a Discovery Report which will include the first set of recommendations from the Review. Agreement will be reached on these with the help of a group of care experienced young people who’ll make sure that the recommendations, decisions and actions of the Review, throughout its duration, are codesigned by young people who have care experience. Of course, everyone who wants a copy of the Discovery Stage Report will get one.

If you would like to be #1of1000 voices, it would be great to hear from you. The next stage of the Review will offer opportunities for all voices to be heard, so if you’re not yet involved please do think about whether you’d like to be - and if so, just get in touch.

Look out for the fantastic new Review website that is launching this month and please make sure you have signed up for news at www. carereview.scot/get-involved/.

If you have any questions or you have a suggestion of something you’d like me to write about in the Speak Out column, you can also email fiona@carereview.scot or tweet me @fionacarereview.

So until next year, I wish you the very best for the festive season and beyond. Here’s to an amazing and inspirational 2018 - Year of Young People!

Thank you,

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

It has been a busy few months for the 1000 Voices team, and we are delighted to give you all an update on the Independent Care Review and what we’ve been up to!

In the last edition of SpeakOut, Chair of the Review Fiona Duncan, spoke about how we were in the Discovery stage of the Review, and were looking at getting young people’s answers to the two Discovery questions. These being: • •

What would the best care system in Scotland look like?

What do you think a root and branch review of the care system should include?

Using these questions as a starting point, our lovely Engagement & Development officers (Erin, KariAnn & Kieran, pictured) planned creative workshops that they could deliver to groups of children, young people & adults with care experience all over Scotland. They used different methods to cater for everyone, in order to gain your views and opinions that we can then pass onto the Review group.

Our team travelled all over Scotland throughout September, October and November. delivering workshops to groups of children, young people and adults in different care placements. We also held three exciting National events – in Paisley, Edinburgh and Inverness – where we spoke to over 100 people with care experience, and even had a visit from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at our Paisley event!

So…. what’s next?

The next stage of the Review is the Journey stage – this is where the Review group looks at the voices they have heard, and looks into how we can make these changes to the care system. The Journey stage will be an exciting time with lots of opportunity to get more and more children & young people involved and have their voices heard!

1000 Voices now have Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!

Please follow us on @1000voicesscot to keep up to date and to get involved!

Fiona

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

15

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

Inverclyde Group (Gourock, every Wedn esday) Help us make care in Inverclyde PHENOMENAL! This group is entirely led by the young people of Inverclyde. Come alo ng if you’d like to make friends and engage in all kinds of fun and interesting activities .

For more info contac t Nicole.

South Ayrshire e of our ed in joining on st re te in u yo Are rshire starting ps in South Ay ou gr w d 25 ne ng ti exci between 6 an you are aged If ?

18 20 y rl ea YOU! something for years we have or Sheryl. e is en contact D fo in e or m r Fo

rshire Care2Create: Ay ) (6-10 year olds ungest groups yo s S’ C? One of W fun to all sorts of have been up tivities! and creative ac a. contact Jemm For more info

Dundee Champions Board/YPPG (Dundee, fortnightly ) For more info call Cindy or Leah.

Falkirk Champions Bo ard (every 2 weeks) For more info call Ra y.

Midlothian rd Champions Boa y er ev h, (Dalkeit y) second Monda , fo in e For mor call Jordan.

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

The Diamonds grou p (Paisley, under 10s) Children in Kinship care or looked after at home come to en joy arts and crafts, play games and me et others like them.

Your grown-ups can come along too to chat while you have fun!

For more info contac t Julie.

East Lo th Champ ian ions Bo ard (Musse lb every T urgh, h If you’d ursday) l contac ike to join, t Charl ot 07793 37853 te – 1.

2BHeard (Across Fife , weekly) There are th ree groups who meet a cross Fife, loads of stu ff happenin g come along and find ou t.

For more in fo call Scot.

reate Tayside Care2C ntact co For more info e.

Leah or Brook

ay) group FAMILY rgh, every Tuesd phere u b m os (Mussle es an at ccepted and t a e r c p u a This gro ng people feel lso u o g. They a y n e lo r e e b y wh e h s t the Ea t where a space discussions into ir . feed the ampions Board or Sophie. h C ia c n li ia A h t t c Lo onta c fo in e For mor

YPiCC ery (Edinburgh, ev ay) second Thursd at tackles A fun group th le hi local issues w people g providing youn ild a chance to bu relationships. contact For more info Ellie B. Lesley-Ann or

roup Care Leavers G ) re or who (Paisley out to leave ca ab le op pe g ther, get a For youn so. Come toge ne do y ad re s and let’s have al are experience sh r, he et bl a , munch al changes! make some re contact Julie.

For more info

Aberdeenshire and LAC Factor Regular YPOC h fun activity, gatherings wit da mpaigning an film making, ca ons in the Champi growing voice Board.

W. contact Lynne For more info

ACE Sports (12+) Aberdeen City, Week ly If you love sports, co me along and try new things – fro m football to Zumba, badminton to Quidditch.

For more info contac t Laura Bailey.

FYI (Fun Young Indiv iduals) (Perth, every Monday ) You will always be gr eeted with a home cooked meal, followe d by fun activities, chats and laughter.

FYI recently wrote, developed, acted in and filmed their ow n training film on ‘Asp irations after Care’ an d began their Gold Du ke of Edinburgh aw ar d!

For more info contac t Leah or Brooke.

The Breakthrough Gr oup (Foster care group) Help produce a regu lar newsletter for Renfrewshire young people who live in foster care. If you fan cy making puzzles, writing stories, doing reviews, drawing, meeting new people then get in touch.

For more info contac t Donald.

Renfrewshire Cham pions Board Meet new people an d get a chance to be real champions an d make care in Renfrewshire better!

For more info contac t Donald.

Kibble Group ) (every 2 weeks welcome. rs be em New m contact Ellie, For more info ren.

Pamela or Dar

Moray The Moray group ca n be found out on the road trying different activities from climb ing to bowling with regular monthl y meetings at Elgin Youth Café.

For more info contac t Paula.

group Transformers ghtly) (Angus, fortni contact For more info Mel or Leah.

Aberdeen Champions Board (Every 2 – 3 months ) Young people and th eir corporate parents are going to be getting together again to ma ke some amazing, positive change in Ab erdeen!

For more info, contac t Laura Bailey.

ACE (12+) , fortnightly) (Aberdeen City to r fun, food and Get together fo r la gu re r ou nds at make new frie group.

Aberdeen City ley. ntact Laura Bai co fo in For more

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire ha ve two groups running at present, the long-standing Foster Care group an d the newly formed Care Leavers Group.

Both group are alway s welcoming new me mbers.

For more info, contac t Ewan or Lynne M.

icals Young Rad ortnightly) (Glasgow, F people from ced young n e ink ri e p x e Care d meet to th n a tl co S l a tr the care all over cen al change in re e p a sh d critically an d. wider worl d n a m e ction. syst y. it hts. Un A ig R . ty ri a d Soli an G. contact Eu fo in re o m For

The Young Islanders, a group supported

by Young Scot, gives 11-15 year olds the chance to meet up and look at the issues that living on an island brings.

There is another grou p especially for care experienced yo ung people, aged between 14-18 year s old.

For more info contac t Alison.

s ts of pizza, trip Highland t-togethers, lo ge p ou gr te nt bu ri Freque to cont and the chance out and about rd – already oa B s Champion d an hl ig H e e better. We’re to th Highland for th in and re Ca ng gi chan William, Skye groups in Fort l up ca lo ng a ti ar ng st lopi also looking at deve e ar d an s es Caithn id-Ross. ons board in M school champi . na contact Don For more info

l a n o i g Re p U d n u o R Shetland Sian is out and abou t in Shetland, bringing young folk together, enjoying trips to the cinema and catching up.

For more info contac t Sian.

NEWS & EVENTS NEWS & EVENTS

W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D 17

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

Inverclyde Group (Gourock, every Wedn esday) Help us make care in Inverclyde PHENOMENAL! This group is entirely led by the young people of Inverclyde. Come alo ng if you’d like to make friends and engage in all kinds of fun and interesting activities .

For more info contac t Nicole.

South Ayrshire e of our ed in joining on st re te in u yo Are rshire starting ps in South Ay ou gr w d 25 ne ng ti exci between 6 an you are aged If ?

18 20 y rl ea YOU! something for years we have or Sheryl. e is en contact D fo in e or m r Fo

rshire Care2Create: Ay ) (6-10 year olds ungest groups yo s S’ C? One of W fun to all sorts of have been up tivities! and creative ac a. contact Jemm For more info

Dundee Champions Board/YPPG (Dundee, fortnightly ) For more info call Cindy or Leah.

Falkirk Champions Bo ard (every 2 weeks) For more info call Ra y.

Midlothian rd Champions Boa y er ev h, (Dalkeit y) second Monda , fo in e For mor call Jordan.

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

The Diamonds grou p (Paisley, under 10s) Children in Kinship care or looked after at home come to en joy arts and crafts, play games and me et others like them.

Your grown-ups can come along too to chat while you have fun!

For more info contac t Julie.

East Lo th Champ ian ions Bo ard (Musse lb every T urgh, h If you’d ursday) l contac ike to join, t Charl ot 07793 37853 te – 1.

2BHeard (Across Fife , weekly) There are th ree groups who meet a cross Fife, loads of stu ff happenin g come along and find ou t.

For more in fo call Scot.

reate Tayside Care2C ntact co For more info e.

Leah or Brook

ay) group FAMILY rgh, every Tuesd phere u b m os (Mussle es an at ccepted and t a e r c p u a This gro ng people feel lso u o g. They a y n e lo r e e b y wh e h s t the Ea t where a space discussions into ir . feed the ampions Board or Sophie. h C ia c n li ia A h t t c Lo onta c fo in e For mor

YPiCC ery (Edinburgh, ev ay) second Thursd at tackles A fun group th le hi local issues w people g providing youn ild a chance to bu relationships. contact For more info Ellie B. Lesley-Ann or

roup Care Leavers G ) re or who (Paisley out to leave ca ab le op pe g ther, get a For youn so. Come toge ne do y ad re s and let’s have al are experience sh r, he et bl a , munch al changes! make some re contact Julie.

For more info

Aberdeenshire and LAC Factor Regular YPOC h fun activity, gatherings wit da mpaigning an film making, ca ons in the Champi growing voice Board.

W. contact Lynne For more info

ACE Sports (12+) Aberdeen City, Week ly If you love sports, co me along and try new things – fro m football to Zumba, badminton to Quidditch.

For more info contac t Laura Bailey.

FYI (Fun Young Indiv iduals) (Perth, every Monday ) You will always be gr eeted with a home cooked meal, followe d by fun activities, chats and laughter.

FYI recently wrote, developed, acted in and filmed their ow n training film on ‘Asp irations after Care’ an d began their Gold Du ke of Edinburgh aw ar d!

For more info contac t Leah or Brooke.

The Breakthrough Gr oup (Foster care group) Help produce a regu lar newsletter for Renfrewshire young people who live in foster care. If you fan cy making puzzles, writing stories, doing reviews, drawing, meeting new people then get in touch.

For more info contac t Donald.

Renfrewshire Cham pions Board Meet new people an d get a chance to be real champions an d make care in Renfrewshire better!

For more info contac t Donald.

Kibble Group ) (every 2 weeks welcome. rs be em New m contact Ellie, For more info ren.

Pamela or Dar

Moray The Moray group ca n be found out on the road trying different activities from climb ing to bowling with regular monthl y meetings at Elgin Youth Café.

For more info contac t Paula.

group Transformers ghtly) (Angus, fortni contact For more info Mel or Leah.

Aberdeen Champions Board (Every 2 – 3 months ) Young people and th eir corporate parents are going to be getting together again to ma ke some amazing, positive change in Ab erdeen!

For more info, contac t Laura Bailey.

ACE (12+) , fortnightly) (Aberdeen City to r fun, food and Get together fo r la gu re r ou nds at make new frie group.

Aberdeen City ley. ntact Laura Bai co fo in For more

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire ha ve two groups running at present, the long-standing Foster Care group an d the newly formed Care Leavers Group.

Both group are alway s welcoming new me mbers.

For more info, contac t Ewan or Lynne M.

icals Young Rad ortnightly) (Glasgow, F people from ced young n e ink ri e p x e Care d meet to th n a tl co S l a tr the care all over cen al change in re e p a sh d critically an d. wider worl d n a m e ction. syst y. it hts. Un A ig R . ty ri a d Soli an G. contact Eu fo in re o m For

The Young Islanders, a group supported

by Young Scot, gives 11-15 year olds the chance to meet up and look at the issues that living on an island brings.

There is another grou p especially for care experienced yo ung people, aged between 14-18 year s old.

For more info contac t Alison.

s ts of pizza, trip Highland t-togethers, lo ge p ou gr te nt bu ri Freque to cont and the chance out and about rd – already oa B s Champion d an hl ig H e e better. We’re to th Highland for th in and re Ca ng gi chan William, Skye groups in Fort l up ca lo ng a ti ar ng st lopi also looking at deve e ar d an s es Caithn id-Ross. ons board in M school champi . na contact Don For more info

l a n o i g Re p U d n u o R Shetland Sian is out and abou t in Shetland, bringing young folk together, enjoying trips to the cinema and catching up.

For more info contac t Sian.

NEWS & EVENTS NEWS & EVENTS

W H O CA R E S? S COT LA N D 17

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Who Cares? Scotland?

Welcomed Back to North Lanarkshire

B

ack in August, Who Cares?

Scotland returned to North Lanarkshire. It has been five long years since the organisation last supported North Lanarkshire care experienced young people. The service is now bigger than ever providing advocacy support to not only young people who are looked after and accommodated, looked after at home, young people on child protection but young people with additional support needs and young people who are part of mental welfare legislation.

We would like to welcome our wonderful new team members who are Mags, Jacqueline, Kerry, Emma, Michelle, Christopher who will be managed by the wonderful Caroline.

The new team is raring to go and excited to start signing up new members. Caroline stated “This is a great opportunity for young people from North Lanarkshire, becoming a WC?S Family Member helps you find out what is happening across

18

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

the organisation, whilst providing opportunities to connect with other young people as well as receiving this fab magazine!”

Jacqueline says “I am really looking forward to giving young people opportunities to join local fun groups where they can connect with friends and have a say in the care they receive in North Lanarkshire.”

The North Lanarkshire advocacy service will also support the work of the Champions Board.

Champions Board member BethAnne Logan explains about the work of the Board.

“Hi everyone, I’m Beth-Anne Logan and I thought I would tell you a bit about our Champions Board.

We’re called TNT which stands for Today Not Tomorrow, because we want decisions made today and not tomorrow! We are lucky enough to have been given funding by the Life Changes Trust which will hopefully

be starting soon. So far, we have been meeting up to talk about what we would like to change about the care system in North Lanarkshire.

We have been to different events and I was lucky enough to go all the way to Skye for Columba 1400. We have made; pledges for our corporate parents to sign, leaflets to tell people who we are and what we want to achieve and presentations that we are going to deliver to local social work departments to hopefully get more young people in our group! We’re delighted Who Cares? Scotland are back supporting us young people, we have so many hopes and plans for our Champions Board and are really excited to be working with WC?S to make the care system the best it can possibly be. I am lucky enough to have had a WC?S Family membership for quite some time, but I am really excited for the WCS? Family to grow with more members from North Lanarkshire!”

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Flying the Flag for Fife

Fife’s Care Experienced Officers W

e are delighted to let our members know that Fife are piloting a new project in their college which gives young care experienced people more opportunities and support. Jeanette Miller and Robert Hamilton are leading the way and helping to set up the pilot and are looking forward to supporting many of Fife College’s care experienced students. This is what they have to say: “A care experienced officer is to help represent the needs and opinions of care experienced students to the student council and to help encourage care experienced

student get involved with Fife College Student association and it is important to me because I get to help my care family have a better college life and help them to get the right support and guidance in college that they need.” Jeanette “I am quite proud of my new role as a care experienced officer as it will be great for me to repair some of the damage that is needed to be fixed at college, plus, it will give me a chance to extend our amazing care family.”

Bob

2bHeard

Kilt Walk

Fife’s 2BHeard group are a group of care experienced young people who meet on a weekly basis to discuss the important issues facing young people in Fife. Their voice is then represented at Fife Council’s Corporate Parent Board where it can help create positive change for others living in care. On 1st November 2017 the Fie 2BHeard group came together to celebrate National Care Leavers Week and recognise the positive contribution other people had made on members of the groups lives. The group were joined by counsellors, senior mangers from Fife Council, Corporate Parents, friends and family to congratulate each other on the hard work and efforts that had been put in over the past year. Well done to all of the Fife 2BHeard group members – keep up the excellent work .

On 17th September 2017 five brave warriors from Fife represented Who Cares? Scotland at the Edinburgh Kilt Walk, the largest Kilt Walk to date. Our band of merry men and women endured over 100 miles around Edinburgh between them, flying the flag for care experienced young people across Scotland. We danced and rapped our way around streets, we skipped, ran and moon-walked through parks, we made friends, met a knight, a dinosaur and some famous faces. We had a great time. Most importantly we raised the profile of care experienced and raised over £440 to continue to support members of our WC?S family. Well done Jeanette Miller, Bob Hamilton, Daniel Ross and Leeanne Clark and thank you to everyone for your support.

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

19

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Who Cares? Scotland?

Welcomed Back to North Lanarkshire

B

ack in August, Who Cares?

Scotland returned to North Lanarkshire. It has been five long years since the organisation last supported North Lanarkshire care experienced young people. The service is now bigger than ever providing advocacy support to not only young people who are looked after and accommodated, looked after at home, young people on child protection but young people with additional support needs and young people who are part of mental welfare legislation.

We would like to welcome our wonderful new team members who are Mags, Jacqueline, Kerry, Emma, Michelle, Christopher who will be managed by the wonderful Caroline.

The new team is raring to go and excited to start signing up new members. Caroline stated “This is a great opportunity for young people from North Lanarkshire, becoming a WC?S Family Member helps you find out what is happening across

18

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

the organisation, whilst providing opportunities to connect with other young people as well as receiving this fab magazine!”

Jacqueline says “I am really looking forward to giving young people opportunities to join local fun groups where they can connect with friends and have a say in the care they receive in North Lanarkshire.”

The North Lanarkshire advocacy service will also support the work of the Champions Board.

Champions Board member BethAnne Logan explains about the work of the Board.

“Hi everyone, I’m Beth-Anne Logan and I thought I would tell you a bit about our Champions Board.

We’re called TNT which stands for Today Not Tomorrow, because we want decisions made today and not tomorrow! We are lucky enough to have been given funding by the Life Changes Trust which will hopefully

be starting soon. So far, we have been meeting up to talk about what we would like to change about the care system in North Lanarkshire.

We have been to different events and I was lucky enough to go all the way to Skye for Columba 1400. We have made; pledges for our corporate parents to sign, leaflets to tell people who we are and what we want to achieve and presentations that we are going to deliver to local social work departments to hopefully get more young people in our group! We’re delighted Who Cares? Scotland are back supporting us young people, we have so many hopes and plans for our Champions Board and are really excited to be working with WC?S to make the care system the best it can possibly be. I am lucky enough to have had a WC?S Family membership for quite some time, but I am really excited for the WCS? Family to grow with more members from North Lanarkshire!”

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Flying the Flag for Fife

Fife’s Care Experienced Officers W

e are delighted to let our members know that Fife are piloting a new project in their college which gives young care experienced people more opportunities and support. Jeanette Miller and Robert Hamilton are leading the way and helping to set up the pilot and are looking forward to supporting many of Fife College’s care experienced students. This is what they have to say: “A care experienced officer is to help represent the needs and opinions of care experienced students to the student council and to help encourage care experienced

student get involved with Fife College Student association and it is important to me because I get to help my care family have a better college life and help them to get the right support and guidance in college that they need.” Jeanette “I am quite proud of my new role as a care experienced officer as it will be great for me to repair some of the damage that is needed to be fixed at college, plus, it will give me a chance to extend our amazing care family.”

Bob

2bHeard

Kilt Walk

Fife’s 2BHeard group are a group of care experienced young people who meet on a weekly basis to discuss the important issues facing young people in Fife. Their voice is then represented at Fife Council’s Corporate Parent Board where it can help create positive change for others living in care. On 1st November 2017 the Fie 2BHeard group came together to celebrate National Care Leavers Week and recognise the positive contribution other people had made on members of the groups lives. The group were joined by counsellors, senior mangers from Fife Council, Corporate Parents, friends and family to congratulate each other on the hard work and efforts that had been put in over the past year. Well done to all of the Fife 2BHeard group members – keep up the excellent work .

On 17th September 2017 five brave warriors from Fife represented Who Cares? Scotland at the Edinburgh Kilt Walk, the largest Kilt Walk to date. Our band of merry men and women endured over 100 miles around Edinburgh between them, flying the flag for care experienced young people across Scotland. We danced and rapped our way around streets, we skipped, ran and moon-walked through parks, we made friends, met a knight, a dinosaur and some famous faces. We had a great time. Most importantly we raised the profile of care experienced and raised over £440 to continue to support members of our WC?S family. Well done Jeanette Miller, Bob Hamilton, Daniel Ross and Leeanne Clark and thank you to everyone for your support.

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

19

pages.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

AGM and the Launch of the Strategic Plan I

n October Who Cares? Scotland held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and launched their new 5 year Strategic Plan. This evening was attended by WC?S Family Members, Care Councillors, WC?S staff, the WC?S Board. They were asked to look back at the achievements of 2017 and listen to the plans for the future.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Time to Shine Festival 2017 O

n the 28th of October, the fifth Time to Shine Festival was held in Perth at the North Inch Community Campus.

Over 250 Who Cares? Scotland Family Members, Supporting Adults and Who Cares? Scotland staff came together to help celebrate the end of National Care Leavers Week Scotland.

What is an AGM? Organisations hold AGMs every year, so their Members can look back at the work they’ve done and deal with issues such as the election of Board members and reviewing the annual accounts.

Who Cares? Scotland must hold an AGM every year as it is written in our constitution. Our constitution is a very important, legally binding document which contains rules which we must use to run the organisation. As Who Cares? Scotland Family Members and Alumni, our AGM is a chance for you to come together, talk to the Board and make sure that Who Cares? Scotland is doing what you need it to do.

Who are the Board?

The Who Cares? Scotland Board is made up of elected Family Members and professional volunteers. The point of the Board is to help keep Who Cares? Scotland on the right track.

Family Members will bring their care experience to the table whilst the professionals will have certain skills that are helpful when governing an organisation.

“But who keeps the Board right?” I hear you ask, and the answer is - you do! Our Board must make sure that it’s actions, and therefore the actions of the organisation are approved by the Family Membership, which is the whole point of our AGM. The most important thing to happen at this year’s AGM was the launch of the Strategic Plan.

20

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

The Strategic Plan…

One Vision

A lifetime of equality, respect and love for care experienced people.

Four objectives 1. Rights We will support care experienced children and young people from across Scotland to claim their rights.

2. Belonging We will create opportunities with care experienced people to connect with one another, understand their identity and build a strong sense of self and belonging to the care family.

3. Influencing We will support care experienced people to be active in positively influencing their personal, social and political world in Scotland and beyond.

4. Pioneering We will lead an ethical organisation with care experience at its heart.

This plan is Who Cares? Scotland’s promise to you, our Members, and the principles that will stand behind all our work for the next 5 years. It’s important that you are familiar with this plan because this is what you can use to hold us to account, to make sure we are doing our best for Scotland’s care experienced population.

“My favourite parts of time to shine were getting a glitter tattoo done, getting my face painted, getting my picture taken in the photo booth with Erin, KariAnn and Laura and having a rave with my amazing care family. Time to Shine is always my favourite Who Cares? Scotland event of the year as I can have a catch up and spend quality time with my care family. I love when we come together as one big family.”

Jeanette, 20

“This was the first Who Cares event I had been to in a long time. I felt nervous because I didn’t know who was going to be there, but I also felt really excited about seeing everyone again. The morning of the event I didn’t know if I wanted to go but I’m really glad that I did! This was one of the best Time to Shine festivals I’ve ever been to. Seeing everybody again was amazing and it really cheered me up. Being back with my Who Cares family has made me realise how much I missed them.”

Jeanie, 18

Falkirk Champions Board “The best part of Time to Shine was meeting new people and just relaxing in a fun environment” Natasha, 20 “It was just amazing and so much fun” Sam, 20 “I thought it was great, I just loved the animals” Siobhan, 15 “Meeting new people and just having fun” Nicole, 16

If you are reading this article, scratching your head and wondering “Who the hell is on the WC?S Board?” or “Why didn’t I get an invite to this AGM?”, we apologise!

A major learning from this AGM has been how much more Who Cares? Scotland must do to engage our Members with this stuff. As Members of Who Cares?

Scotland, it is our job to make sure you know who is on the Board and that you all have voting rights, which means you have the power to attend and vote in every AGM. If you’re thinking, a yearly meeting to tell us what you think doesn’t seem very often! Then you’re right, and this is where your Care Councillors come in – they are your link throughout the year to the Board.

Next year look out for a regular feature in SpeakOut from the Care Council, which will aim to keep you informed and empowered.

“It was my first Time to Shine festival, and I have to say I have never experienced anything like it, it’s amazing how so many of us can come together and feel like family!

The atmosphere was incredible - full of fun, laughter and some scary costumes. I have never danced so much!” Laura, 22

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

21

pages.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

AGM and the Launch of the Strategic Plan I

n October Who Cares? Scotland held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and launched their new 5 year Strategic Plan. This evening was attended by WC?S Family Members, Care Councillors, WC?S staff, the WC?S Board. They were asked to look back at the achievements of 2017 and listen to the plans for the future.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Time to Shine Festival 2017 O

n the 28th of October, the fifth Time to Shine Festival was held in Perth at the North Inch Community Campus.

Over 250 Who Cares? Scotland Family Members, Supporting Adults and Who Cares? Scotland staff came together to help celebrate the end of National Care Leavers Week Scotland.

What is an AGM? Organisations hold AGMs every year, so their Members can look back at the work they’ve done and deal with issues such as the election of Board members and reviewing the annual accounts.

Who Cares? Scotland must hold an AGM every year as it is written in our constitution. Our constitution is a very important, legally binding document which contains rules which we must use to run the organisation. As Who Cares? Scotland Family Members and Alumni, our AGM is a chance for you to come together, talk to the Board and make sure that Who Cares? Scotland is doing what you need it to do.

Who are the Board?

The Who Cares? Scotland Board is made up of elected Family Members and professional volunteers. The point of the Board is to help keep Who Cares? Scotland on the right track.

Family Members will bring their care experience to the table whilst the professionals will have certain skills that are helpful when governing an organisation.

“But who keeps the Board right?” I hear you ask, and the answer is - you do! Our Board must make sure that it’s actions, and therefore the actions of the organisation are approved by the Family Membership, which is the whole point of our AGM. The most important thing to happen at this year’s AGM was the launch of the Strategic Plan.

20

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

The Strategic Plan…

One Vision

A lifetime of equality, respect and love for care experienced people.

Four objectives 1. Rights We will support care experienced children and young people from across Scotland to claim their rights.

2. Belonging We will create opportunities with care experienced people to connect with one another, understand their identity and build a strong sense of self and belonging to the care family.

3. Influencing We will support care experienced people to be active in positively influencing their personal, social and political world in Scotland and beyond.

4. Pioneering We will lead an ethical organisation with care experience at its heart.

This plan is Who Cares? Scotland’s promise to you, our Members, and the principles that will stand behind all our work for the next 5 years. It’s important that you are familiar with this plan because this is what you can use to hold us to account, to make sure we are doing our best for Scotland’s care experienced population.

“My favourite parts of time to shine were getting a glitter tattoo done, getting my face painted, getting my picture taken in the photo booth with Erin, KariAnn and Laura and having a rave with my amazing care family. Time to Shine is always my favourite Who Cares? Scotland event of the year as I can have a catch up and spend quality time with my care family. I love when we come together as one big family.”

Jeanette, 20

“This was the first Who Cares event I had been to in a long time. I felt nervous because I didn’t know who was going to be there, but I also felt really excited about seeing everyone again. The morning of the event I didn’t know if I wanted to go but I’m really glad that I did! This was one of the best Time to Shine festivals I’ve ever been to. Seeing everybody again was amazing and it really cheered me up. Being back with my Who Cares family has made me realise how much I missed them.”

Jeanie, 18

Falkirk Champions Board “The best part of Time to Shine was meeting new people and just relaxing in a fun environment” Natasha, 20 “It was just amazing and so much fun” Sam, 20 “I thought it was great, I just loved the animals” Siobhan, 15 “Meeting new people and just having fun” Nicole, 16

If you are reading this article, scratching your head and wondering “Who the hell is on the WC?S Board?” or “Why didn’t I get an invite to this AGM?”, we apologise!

A major learning from this AGM has been how much more Who Cares? Scotland must do to engage our Members with this stuff. As Members of Who Cares?

Scotland, it is our job to make sure you know who is on the Board and that you all have voting rights, which means you have the power to attend and vote in every AGM. If you’re thinking, a yearly meeting to tell us what you think doesn’t seem very often! Then you’re right, and this is where your Care Councillors come in – they are your link throughout the year to the Board.

Next year look out for a regular feature in SpeakOut from the Care Council, which will aim to keep you informed and empowered.

“It was my first Time to Shine festival, and I have to say I have never experienced anything like it, it’s amazing how so many of us can come together and feel like family!

The atmosphere was incredible - full of fun, laughter and some scary costumes. I have never danced so much!” Laura, 22

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

21

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Time to Shine Festival 2017

22

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

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

23

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Time to Shine Festival 2017

22

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

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

23

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2017

Duke of Edinburgh Tia Mure, Participation Assistant

M

y Duke of Edinburgh experience was nothing short of an adventure. From the minute I was informed I had been chosen to go to the Pyrenees for my Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition until the day I landed back in Scotland, it all felt surreal. Every day was a different challenge. The views were priceless and the people I went with made the trip unforgettable.

The first challenge was to get to the borders of France from Barcelona airport in a mini bus, full of singing and dancing teenage girls. It wasn’t a challenge for me, but the duke of Edinburgh leader wasn’t impressed.

We arrived in France late at night and were expecting the worst in terms of sleeping arrangements, but we were shocked when we found out we were going to be lodging in a holiday Ski Chalet. First day was our preparation and shopping day. We spent hours in the shop trying to read french and asking people to translate or just guessing which was surprisingly very successful.

Now we are packed, strapped up and stocked up on food for our 4 day trek across the Pyrenees. The first day started off badly with the navigation skills of the group taking us along a longer route in the opposite direction of where we were meant

to be camping that night. It was the LONGEST DAY! The views on the hike up the mountain were breath taking. If anyone was struggling we would look back at how far we had come and be encouraged to keep pushing past the barriers in our minds. We got to camp as the temperature was dropping and the sun was setting. We tried hiding in the toilets to keep warm but it wasn’t long until we had to be in our tents and those toilets were the last we bit of luxury we would see until the end our trek.

During day 2 we faced sun, heights, steep climbs, lakes, fast flowing rivers, ice and snow all whilst wearing shorts.

The campsite was not flat, rocks and stones meant we had to settle for some rough sleeping. Temperatures were below 0 but the sky was beautiful and unpolluted. When I opened the tent I felt like there was a green screen outside because the snow was set so perfectly along the mountainside.

The exhaustion hit us on day 3 and there was a decision to be made climb Pre de le Grava (highest peak) or we could continue our route and finish our assessment. As a group we decided that we would take advantage of the opportunity and climb the peak. Arriving at camp that night we knew that we were almost finished

our official expedition assessment.

Avoiding the cows on the campsite who were trying to steal our socks was a welcome distraction from the pain and exhaustion. We were successful in our assessment but our celebrations were an early night and a rest in the morning with pancakes and chocolate sauce for breakfast.

One last day of climbing to get back to the chalet which might make you think the route would be downhill, it was in fact the steepest incline of the hike but we were singing and jumping about the rocks thinking about the treats in store for us when we got back to the chalet – warmth, music, a proper mattress. There are so many things we have as part of our everyday life that we take for granted. This trip taught me the value of those things but also that if push comes to shove you can manage without. Just…

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

F L E S Y A R O THE M T C E J O R P D L I BU

Keiron (18) interviews Kim Siu, a Who Cares? Scotland volunteer, about her unique project.

K

eiron: Hi everyone, it’s Keiron here from Moray, I met many of you at summer camp this year and I am involved in both the Moray Champions Board and the Moray Social group.

I want to tell you about a fantastic project that I recently heard about from Kim, the creative mind behind it, whilst she was volunteering with Who Cares? Scotland.

Hi Kim, tell us more about the project.

Kim: We’re planning to self-build two hobbit style holiday homes (see pictures). We’ll be using all natural and renewable materials such as wood, straw-bales, clay, lime, and earth. We want the builds to be low-impact, to fit into their natural surroundings and create a relaxing and nourishing space for folk to enjoy.

We want to create something quirky and a wee bit different.

Keiron: Wow! That sounds amazing.

And who’s going to help you build these hobbit homes?

Kim: We’d like to invite young folk from Who Cares? Scotland to take part in our volunteer and internship programme. You would be camping on site and getting the opportunity to learn loads of new skills, whilst getting to know new people and being part of a team.

Kieron: When will this project take place?

Kim: The build will take place in Speyside, Moray and we’re hoping to start around from June/July 2018 and estimate it will take around 10-12 weeks to complete. The volunteer programme will last around 10 days and the internship opportunities will be for the entire build.

My hopes for this project is that it will be an opportunity for young people to learn self-build skills and maybe create a home of their own one day. It’s a dream project and quite ambitious, but why not?!

Kieron: Exactly! I think it’s possible! It’d be great if the finished houses could contain a photo of all the folk who helped build it, to mark their efforts!

If you’re interested in learning more about this project or taking part as a volunteer or an intern, get in touch with WC?S volunteer and ‘Get Rugged’ Director, Kim Siu: getrugged.kim@gmail.com or 07786 225 639 24

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

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

25

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | AUTUMN 2017

Duke of Edinburgh Tia Mure, Participation Assistant

M

y Duke of Edinburgh experience was nothing short of an adventure. From the minute I was informed I had been chosen to go to the Pyrenees for my Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition until the day I landed back in Scotland, it all felt surreal. Every day was a different challenge. The views were priceless and the people I went with made the trip unforgettable.

The first challenge was to get to the borders of France from Barcelona airport in a mini bus, full of singing and dancing teenage girls. It wasn’t a challenge for me, but the duke of Edinburgh leader wasn’t impressed.

We arrived in France late at night and were expecting the worst in terms of sleeping arrangements, but we were shocked when we found out we were going to be lodging in a holiday Ski Chalet. First day was our preparation and shopping day. We spent hours in the shop trying to read french and asking people to translate or just guessing which was surprisingly very successful.

Now we are packed, strapped up and stocked up on food for our 4 day trek across the Pyrenees. The first day started off badly with the navigation skills of the group taking us along a longer route in the opposite direction of where we were meant

to be camping that night. It was the LONGEST DAY! The views on the hike up the mountain were breath taking. If anyone was struggling we would look back at how far we had come and be encouraged to keep pushing past the barriers in our minds. We got to camp as the temperature was dropping and the sun was setting. We tried hiding in the toilets to keep warm but it wasn’t long until we had to be in our tents and those toilets were the last we bit of luxury we would see until the end our trek.

During day 2 we faced sun, heights, steep climbs, lakes, fast flowing rivers, ice and snow all whilst wearing shorts.

The campsite was not flat, rocks and stones meant we had to settle for some rough sleeping. Temperatures were below 0 but the sky was beautiful and unpolluted. When I opened the tent I felt like there was a green screen outside because the snow was set so perfectly along the mountainside.

The exhaustion hit us on day 3 and there was a decision to be made climb Pre de le Grava (highest peak) or we could continue our route and finish our assessment. As a group we decided that we would take advantage of the opportunity and climb the peak. Arriving at camp that night we knew that we were almost finished

our official expedition assessment.

Avoiding the cows on the campsite who were trying to steal our socks was a welcome distraction from the pain and exhaustion. We were successful in our assessment but our celebrations were an early night and a rest in the morning with pancakes and chocolate sauce for breakfast.

One last day of climbing to get back to the chalet which might make you think the route would be downhill, it was in fact the steepest incline of the hike but we were singing and jumping about the rocks thinking about the treats in store for us when we got back to the chalet – warmth, music, a proper mattress. There are so many things we have as part of our everyday life that we take for granted. This trip taught me the value of those things but also that if push comes to shove you can manage without. Just…

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

F L E S Y A R O THE M T C E J O R P D L I BU

Keiron (18) interviews Kim Siu, a Who Cares? Scotland volunteer, about her unique project.

K

eiron: Hi everyone, it’s Keiron here from Moray, I met many of you at summer camp this year and I am involved in both the Moray Champions Board and the Moray Social group.

I want to tell you about a fantastic project that I recently heard about from Kim, the creative mind behind it, whilst she was volunteering with Who Cares? Scotland.

Hi Kim, tell us more about the project.

Kim: We’re planning to self-build two hobbit style holiday homes (see pictures). We’ll be using all natural and renewable materials such as wood, straw-bales, clay, lime, and earth. We want the builds to be low-impact, to fit into their natural surroundings and create a relaxing and nourishing space for folk to enjoy.

We want to create something quirky and a wee bit different.

Keiron: Wow! That sounds amazing.

And who’s going to help you build these hobbit homes?

Kim: We’d like to invite young folk from Who Cares? Scotland to take part in our volunteer and internship programme. You would be camping on site and getting the opportunity to learn loads of new skills, whilst getting to know new people and being part of a team.

Kieron: When will this project take place?

Kim: The build will take place in Speyside, Moray and we’re hoping to start around from June/July 2018 and estimate it will take around 10-12 weeks to complete. The volunteer programme will last around 10 days and the internship opportunities will be for the entire build.

My hopes for this project is that it will be an opportunity for young people to learn self-build skills and maybe create a home of their own one day. It’s a dream project and quite ambitious, but why not?!

Kieron: Exactly! I think it’s possible! It’d be great if the finished houses could contain a photo of all the folk who helped build it, to mark their efforts!

If you’re interested in learning more about this project or taking part as a volunteer or an intern, get in touch with WC?S volunteer and ‘Get Rugged’ Director, Kim Siu: getrugged.kim@gmail.com or 07786 225 639 24

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

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

25

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

What a Cracker!

T O H s ’ t a h W

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

T O N s ’ t a h &W

SNES Classic 2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE Nicole McNeil

1ST PLACE

Brandon McPhee

Jennifer Gardiner

M

eet the winners of Who Cares?

Scotland’s 2017 Christmas Card Competition…

For the third year running Who Cares? Scotland held it’s Christmas Card Competition. Rather than send out boring Christmas cards, we ask our Members to design special ones and send them in to us, and our Friends at SQA pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd place! Then we get thousands of copies of the winning cards printed (and make an email version) and send them out to all our Family and Friends. You will have got yours in your Christmas pack with this magazine!

This year we had some amazing, creative, imaginative entries. SQA had a really hard job judging but eventually three winners were picked. 3rd place was awarded to Brandon McPhee age 10 and his snow-capped Christmas trees, the SQA judges loved his attention to detail. Well done Brandon!

2nd place went to Nicole McNeil age 16, the SQA judges loved her festive red 26

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

card with a beautifully drawn Santa hat. Well done Nicole! But there could only be one 1st place and that went to Jennifer Gardiner age 9! The judges were super impressed with the skill she had demonstrated in drawing a complicated snowflake and they loved her candy cane r’s.

I

Congratulations Jennifer!

All winners received vouchers and copies of their own Christmas card to share. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition, we really appreciate the effort you put into your cards!

’d like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to SQA for their support throughout the year. Not only have they judged this year’s Christmas card competition, printed thousands of copies of the winning entry, written a Christmas card for every WC?S Family Member!

They made sure every issue of SpeakOut was delivered straight to your door; they have printed Birthday cards and supported the Reaching Higher programme. They have well and truly embraced their role as a Corporate Parent to Scotland’s care experienced young people, and as a friend to Who Cares? Scotland. Thank you!

Charlie McFarlane

W

hen I was growing up in the 90’s, I had the pleasure of playing my parents’ Super Nintendo.

It was definitely the best thing I had ever seen at this point in my life. I was young and all I wanted to do was help Mario save the Princess. It was such a great time, games were different and the storylines where amazing. You could be an Italian plumber on a rescue mission and then change game and be flying through space as Star Fox fighting space battles against the evil Andross or even travelling through time as Link to save princess Zelda.

It was such a great generation of games for me growing up and I thought gaming could never get better.

20 years later and gaming has progressed so far with gaming giants such as PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo developing new consoles every few years, carrying classic titles along the way such as Mario, Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy and Halo. But every once in a while, companies release collections of old game titles on the PlayStation network, Xbox live and Nintendo shop. It was only a matter of time before companies started releasing

popular titles that are not available anymore.

This made 2017 a great year for Nintendo fans as they announced the release of the SNES mini in September, not long after the Nintendo switch which is equally amazing. The miniature console was released with two controllers and twenty one built in games including several classics such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong Country. The console also had an added bonus - the never released Star Fox 2 which was a long-awaited treat for myself as I am a massive Star Fox fan. The SNES mini also contained some of the rarest, hard to find games in the Nintendo collection such as Mega Man X, Final Fantasy 3 and Earthbound, all great games with their own legacies.

The SNES classic’s appearance this year has given retro fans, like myself, the chance to relive our childhoods with great entertainment. The SNES classic is so small it fits in one hand making it easy to carry around, it also has a diverse game catalogue and all you need is a HDMI lead and an android charger to get it going. It is definitely a 5 star console for me

and I hope Nintendo plan to release other consoles again such as the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube. I would recommend the SNES classic to anyone but considering they sold out almost immediately, they might be a little tricky to get your hands on.

5 OUT OF 5 STAR S

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

27

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

What a Cracker!

T O H s ’ t a h W

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

T O N s ’ t a h &W

SNES Classic 2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE Nicole McNeil

1ST PLACE

Brandon McPhee

Jennifer Gardiner

M

eet the winners of Who Cares?

Scotland’s 2017 Christmas Card Competition…

For the third year running Who Cares? Scotland held it’s Christmas Card Competition. Rather than send out boring Christmas cards, we ask our Members to design special ones and send them in to us, and our Friends at SQA pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd place! Then we get thousands of copies of the winning cards printed (and make an email version) and send them out to all our Family and Friends. You will have got yours in your Christmas pack with this magazine!

This year we had some amazing, creative, imaginative entries. SQA had a really hard job judging but eventually three winners were picked. 3rd place was awarded to Brandon McPhee age 10 and his snow-capped Christmas trees, the SQA judges loved his attention to detail. Well done Brandon!

2nd place went to Nicole McNeil age 16, the SQA judges loved her festive red 26

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

card with a beautifully drawn Santa hat. Well done Nicole! But there could only be one 1st place and that went to Jennifer Gardiner age 9! The judges were super impressed with the skill she had demonstrated in drawing a complicated snowflake and they loved her candy cane r’s.

I

Congratulations Jennifer!

All winners received vouchers and copies of their own Christmas card to share. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition, we really appreciate the effort you put into your cards!

’d like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to SQA for their support throughout the year. Not only have they judged this year’s Christmas card competition, printed thousands of copies of the winning entry, written a Christmas card for every WC?S Family Member!

They made sure every issue of SpeakOut was delivered straight to your door; they have printed Birthday cards and supported the Reaching Higher programme. They have well and truly embraced their role as a Corporate Parent to Scotland’s care experienced young people, and as a friend to Who Cares? Scotland. Thank you!

Charlie McFarlane

W

hen I was growing up in the 90’s, I had the pleasure of playing my parents’ Super Nintendo.

It was definitely the best thing I had ever seen at this point in my life. I was young and all I wanted to do was help Mario save the Princess. It was such a great time, games were different and the storylines where amazing. You could be an Italian plumber on a rescue mission and then change game and be flying through space as Star Fox fighting space battles against the evil Andross or even travelling through time as Link to save princess Zelda.

It was such a great generation of games for me growing up and I thought gaming could never get better.

20 years later and gaming has progressed so far with gaming giants such as PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo developing new consoles every few years, carrying classic titles along the way such as Mario, Crash Bandicoot, Final Fantasy and Halo. But every once in a while, companies release collections of old game titles on the PlayStation network, Xbox live and Nintendo shop. It was only a matter of time before companies started releasing

popular titles that are not available anymore.

This made 2017 a great year for Nintendo fans as they announced the release of the SNES mini in September, not long after the Nintendo switch which is equally amazing. The miniature console was released with two controllers and twenty one built in games including several classics such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong Country. The console also had an added bonus - the never released Star Fox 2 which was a long-awaited treat for myself as I am a massive Star Fox fan. The SNES mini also contained some of the rarest, hard to find games in the Nintendo collection such as Mega Man X, Final Fantasy 3 and Earthbound, all great games with their own legacies.

The SNES classic’s appearance this year has given retro fans, like myself, the chance to relive our childhoods with great entertainment. The SNES classic is so small it fits in one hand making it easy to carry around, it also has a diverse game catalogue and all you need is a HDMI lead and an android charger to get it going. It is definitely a 5 star console for me

and I hope Nintendo plan to release other consoles again such as the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube. I would recommend the SNES classic to anyone but considering they sold out almost immediately, they might be a little tricky to get your hands on.

5 OUT OF 5 STAR S

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

27

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

IN IT TO WIN IT… O

nce you’ve completed the IN IT TO WIN IT PAGE please return it to your Who Cares? Scotland APW or send it to Who Cares? Scotland, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow, G1 4QR by March 15th 2018 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice.

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

JUST FOR FUN…

SpeakOut’s Christmas Word Search X

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Fill in the blanks… of this famous Christmas Song “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I write”

What am I?

sounds I am a fruit whose name be two of me As though there might re is In a Christmas song the of tree d kin s thi in e A partridg

Can you name…

The ghosts who visit Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve?

2.

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Do you know… deers pull How many rein ?

Santa’s sleigh

A. YOUR NAME:

WINTER SNOWFLAKES

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

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

SNOWMAN TINSEL

A.

HHHHHHHH

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LAST ISSUES WIN NERS ARE:

AGE:

28

1.

Shane McGhie - 14 Gabrielle Docherty 15 Amber Law - 12 Dylan Dickson - 11 Ellise Burns - 6

HHHHHHHH

Christmas Chuckles

PRESENTS TURKEY

CHRISTMAS CAKE CHEER

Who delivers Christmas presents to dogs?

Santa Paws What do monkeys sing at Christmas?

Jungle Bells What kind of people are afraid of Santa Claus?

Claus-trophobics

PARTIES NEW YEAR

What is a snowmans favourite lunch?

An ice burger What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?

A Christmas quacker

HH

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

29

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

IN IT TO WIN IT… O

nce you’ve completed the IN IT TO WIN IT PAGE please return it to your Who Cares? Scotland APW or send it to Who Cares? Scotland, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow, G1 4QR by March 15th 2018 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice.

ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

JUST FOR FUN…

SpeakOut’s Christmas Word Search X

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Guess the film

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Fill in the blanks… of this famous Christmas Song “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I write”

What am I?

sounds I am a fruit whose name be two of me As though there might re is In a Christmas song the of tree d kin s thi in e A partridg

Can you name…

The ghosts who visit Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve?

2.

3.

Do you know… deers pull How many rein ?

Santa’s sleigh

A. YOUR NAME:

WINTER SNOWFLAKES

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

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

SNOWMAN TINSEL

A.

HHHHHHHH

HH

LAST ISSUES WIN NERS ARE:

AGE:

28

1.

Shane McGhie - 14 Gabrielle Docherty 15 Amber Law - 12 Dylan Dickson - 11 Ellise Burns - 6

HHHHHHHH

Christmas Chuckles

PRESENTS TURKEY

CHRISTMAS CAKE CHEER

Who delivers Christmas presents to dogs?

Santa Paws What do monkeys sing at Christmas?

Jungle Bells What kind of people are afraid of Santa Claus?

Claus-trophobics

PARTIES NEW YEAR

What is a snowmans favourite lunch?

An ice burger What do you get if you cross Santa with a duck?

A Christmas quacker

HH

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

29

NEWS & EVENTS SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

R O I N SO JU

! n I e M r Colou

NEWSSO & EVENTS JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Buddy the Bear loves finding out what our younger members have been up to! Make sure you let him know!

Buddy’s Adventures

O

n November 9th, Buddy the Bear went to the Children in Scotland Conference. A conference is a big meeting where people go to talk and learn more about something. Children in Scotland are an organisation that do lots of different jobs to make sure that Children from all over Scotland, have the same chances to live happy and healthy lives. The Children in Scotland conference was for people who work with children, who also want to help make sure they live happy and healthy lives. Who Cares?

Scotland were asked to come and do an activity at the conference. Buddy helped in the Who Cares? Scotland workshop where we spoke about young people and leadership.

30

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

The Wee Diamonds T

he Wee Diamonds group were invited by the Paisley 2021 team to take part in their Halloween Parade. Some lovely people from a theatre company came to the group and helped us design and make our zombie costumes.

On the night, we walked in the main parade and there were thousands of people watching.

We were joined by fire eaters, stilt walkers, marching bands and dancers.

It was exciting to be involved and we saw lots of friends from school as we walked along. After we all went to MacDonalds as we were all starving – it was a brilliant day !

THE DEN OF T

homas and Kirsten went on an adventure to the woods.

I went on my bike and I gave Kirsten my scooter. It was so funny because the scooter couldn’t stop. I had to help her a lot when we were going.

I didn’t like the woods before, I found them scary.

We found a den made out of branches

DOOM! and sticks but it was falling apart. If we sat in it, it could of fell on us and it would be our DOOOOOOOOOM!!!

So we fixed it, with branches, sticks and leaves. I love my den and now we are building an even bigger and better den.

When we are going home we have a race home going down the big hill. I also have a good, amazing time.

Thomas, age 10 years

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

31

NEWS & EVENTS SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

R O I N SO JU

! n I e M r Colou

NEWSSO & EVENTS JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Buddy the Bear loves finding out what our younger members have been up to! Make sure you let him know!

Buddy’s Adventures

O

n November 9th, Buddy the Bear went to the Children in Scotland Conference. A conference is a big meeting where people go to talk and learn more about something. Children in Scotland are an organisation that do lots of different jobs to make sure that Children from all over Scotland, have the same chances to live happy and healthy lives. The Children in Scotland conference was for people who work with children, who also want to help make sure they live happy and healthy lives. Who Cares?

Scotland were asked to come and do an activity at the conference. Buddy helped in the Who Cares? Scotland workshop where we spoke about young people and leadership.

30

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

The Wee Diamonds T

he Wee Diamonds group were invited by the Paisley 2021 team to take part in their Halloween Parade. Some lovely people from a theatre company came to the group and helped us design and make our zombie costumes.

On the night, we walked in the main parade and there were thousands of people watching.

We were joined by fire eaters, stilt walkers, marching bands and dancers.

It was exciting to be involved and we saw lots of friends from school as we walked along. After we all went to MacDonalds as we were all starving – it was a brilliant day !

THE DEN OF T

homas and Kirsten went on an adventure to the woods.

I went on my bike and I gave Kirsten my scooter. It was so funny because the scooter couldn’t stop. I had to help her a lot when we were going.

I didn’t like the woods before, I found them scary.

We found a den made out of branches

DOOM! and sticks but it was falling apart. If we sat in it, it could of fell on us and it would be our DOOOOOOOOOM!!!

So we fixed it, with branches, sticks and leaves. I love my den and now we are building an even bigger and better den.

When we are going home we have a race home going down the big hill. I also have a good, amazing time.

Thomas, age 10 years

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

31

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