Speak Out Winter 2017 by Who Cares? Scotland

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

WINTER 2017

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! r e k c a r C P26 cotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

4-5 6 7 8 9 10

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

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

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

CALLUM

@whocaresscot

Who Cares? Scotland Community membership@ whocaresscotland.org

RLY

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

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

The Speak Out! Team xxx

Inside this issue 2-3

Welcome Pages

4-5 6 7 8 9 10

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

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

IE KATITOR ED

News & Events... 11 12 13 14 15 16-17 18 19 20

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

CALLUM

@whocaresscot

Who Cares? Scotland Community membership@ whocaresscotland.org

RLY

LIE

CHAR

KAREEN

Want to join next issue’s editorial team?

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

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

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

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!

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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.

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

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CelebratingYou! NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWSLIFESTYLE & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

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

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.

Molly

Charlie, 16

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

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.

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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

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.

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LIFESTYLE

TREMANNA’S NEVIS ODYSSEY T

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

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

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

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

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.

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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)

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.

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LIFESTYLE

D L I W Meetthe Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

GOING H

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

LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Parents (Corporate)

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

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

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?

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

NEWS LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

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

Reflections Sammi-Ray, 15

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

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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

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

NEWS LIFESTYLE & EVENTS

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

Reflections Sammi-Ray, 15

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

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

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.

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

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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.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

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

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

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Fiona Checks In Dear Reader,

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,

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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

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2017

Fiona Checks In Dear Reader,

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1000 Voices now have Facebook, Twitter & Instagram! Please follow us on @1000voicesscot to keep up to date and to get involved!

Fiona

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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

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