SpeakOut Winter 2019 by Who Cares? Scotland

SpeakOut WHO CARES? SCOTLAND MAGAZINE

CARE D E C N E I R E P X E 9 1 0 2 WEEK

PLUS!

WINTER 2019

LOVE FROM THE E TIME TH R A L LY T O S T I V A L – FE T O S H I N E Y O U S A W, , Y O U C A M E L E B R AT E D E AND YOU C UNDREDS! IN YOUR H T THE CHECK OU HOTOS P FA N TA S T I C G E D T O WE MANA P12-13 N CAPTURE O

QUIZ PAGES, SO JUNIOR AND SHETLAND’S FIRST FESTIVAL OF CARE WHO CARES?

S COT LA N D

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

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

Inside this issue

Welcome to the Winter 2019 issue of SpeakOut! Happy Christmas Who Cares? Scotland members! We hope you’ve enjoyed opening your Christmas parcel. Along with this issue of SpeakOut, you should have received a small gift and a Christmas card from everyone here at WC?S. You can find out more about our festive partner Madlug and their bags plus a cool 10% discount code especially for WC?S members on p6. Buddy the Bear has finally made it onto a SpeakOut front cover, we’re trying not to let the fame go to his head! Check out all the highlights from this year’s Care Experienced Week. See if you can spot yourself in our pictures from the Love Rally and the Time to Shine Festival, p12-13. Shetland have been busy holding their first Festival of Care, p1819. Sadly the WC?S 1000 Voices project is coming to an end, the team say goodbye whilst looking back on their favourite memories, p20. With 2020 just around the corner, Kevin does a round up of 2019 and looks ahead to what next year might hold, p10. Remember, WC?S are holding their annual Care Family Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day in Glasgow. If you’re interested in coming, please give our National Office a ring on 0141 226 4441. We’d just like to thank you all for an amazing year and 4 fantastic issues of SpeakOut, we couldn’t have done it without you! See you all in 2020. Take care,

The SpeakOut Editorial Team x

2-3

Welcome Pages

LIFESTYLE 4-5 6 7 8-9

Celebrating You Meet Madlug We Are Citizens First Chances

NEWS & EVENTS 10

Keeping Up With Kev

Fundraising Heroes

12-13 Care Experienced Week 2019 14-15 Why The Collective is Important to Me 16-17 WC?S Groups 18

Shetland’s First Festival of Care

19 Shetland and The Care Records Campaign 20

1000 Voices

Fiona Checks In

Your MSYPs

CHAMPS Camp

Police Scotland

ENTERTAINMENT 11

25 Introducing Gary 26 The Panopticon 27 Molly’s Art 28-29 Quiz Pages

SO Junior 19 2

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30-31 SO Junior 32

Contact Page

sue of SpeakOut

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Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Meet the Editorial Team

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WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT?

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We do! KENZIE

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MOLLY

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(ASSISTANT EDITOR)

Scan this QR code if you would like to see a digital copy of this SpeakOut or check out our library of older issues, right back to 1979!

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

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CelebratingYou! NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Celebrating you is a space for you guys to tell us what you’ve been gett ing up to and to share anything you proud of. We love getting stuff from might be really you, so please send in your poems, stori es, pictures, jokes or tell us about som done, your favourite hobby or a new ething you’ve pet, and we’ll include it in the next issue of SpeakOut. memberhip@whocares

scotla

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

STAND UP FOR SIBLINGS WINS A HERALD SOCIETY AWARD

Paul the Minichamp Who Cares? Scotland Advocacy and Participation Worker, Lindsay Cook, has written in to celebrate Paul. “Paul has been with the Minichamps group from the start. I remember the first few times I brought him to the group. He hardly said a word and sat with his head down. Paul had never been part of a group before and struggled to relax enough to enjoy himself. But here’s the good thing about the group – our motto is ‘Nobody leaves feeling worse than when they came.’ There are plenty of us to fill in the silence with enthusiastic chat and you will never feel lonely or as if you don’t fit in for very long. Soon Paul was chatting away; we began to see him smile and laugh (he has a hilarious laugh!). And now, over 10 months from the first time he attended, he has put on a few inches in height and a barrel-load of confidence. Car journeys to and from the group are no longer a silent or one sided affair and his big cheesy smile is no longer a stranger to his face.”

Paul in his new school uniform

he amazing Theighan and many other Care Experienced people have been sharing their stories of separation from brothers and sisters. This award recognises their voices are making change and working to ensure these relationships are protected. #StandUpForSiblings

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Zombie Paul the from when FX S group did a ion make up sess

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2019’S WINNING CHRISTMAS CARD Kyle, 14

n your Christmas parcel, along with this issue of SpeakOut, you’ll have received a Christmas card. This year’s Christmas Card was designed by Kyle Hoban, age 14. Kyle’s card was chosen as the winning design because we loved that his presents under the Christmas tree are peace and love! And his happy star on top, made everyone smile! Thank you Kyle for taking the time to design the WC?S 2019 Christmas card, we hope it makes all our members as happy as it made us! Unfortunately there can only be one winner, but we’d still like to say a massive thank you to everyone else who entered this year’s competition, you can see some of their designs pictured.

Candice,

20 Jay, 11

2 Maisie, 1 Cameron , 10

Amber,

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak SpeakOut OutMagazine Magazine||SUMMER WINTER 2019

Happy Christmas from Madlug T

his year 1,600 of our younger members will have received a gift in their Who Cares? Scotland Christmas parcel. A bag made especially for Care Experienced young people by Northern Irish company – Madlug. The founder of Madlug believes that no child should carry their life in a bin bag. Madlug was founded in 2015 by Dave Linton. A man whose only experience in the luggage industry was bags of enthusiasm. This 40-something Youth Worker was heartbroken to learn that most children in care transport their worldly belongings in a bin bag. In that moment, Dave set out to do something about it. With just £480, he started Madlug (Make a difference luggage) and came up with their ‘Buy one Give one’ approach: with every bag purchased, a travelbag will be given to a child in care. With this approach Dave hopes to educate the public, who as we know, are often oblivious to the problems faced by Care Experienced people every day. Madlug worked with Care Experienced young people and Health Trusts / Local Authorities to develop a giving bag that is centred around the needs of children in care. The bag itself is unbranded to avoid stigma. It folds away to fit neatly into a sock drawer or a Social Worker’s car boot without wasting storage space. And each bag has a label that says “You are incredible” to remind every child that they have value, worth and dignity. When Who Cares? Scotland heard about the work Madlug were doing, we felt their values were very aligned with our own, so we got in touch to introduce ourselves and to see if there were any potential opportunities for partnership work. Whilst speaking to Dave, we mentioned our Christmas Parcel mailout and Dave immediately felt that was something he could contribute to. 6

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Dave Linton, Madlug founder -”It’s amazing to partner with Who Cares? Scotland and to be able to tell 1600 young people that they are incredible, and they have huge value, worth, and dignity. We look forward to continuing this relationship in the future.” For those members who didn’t receive a bag, Madlug From have also announced a everyone special discount code, which at Madlug will give you 10% off their “Merry whole bag range and ensure Christmas!” every travelbag will be given to a Care Experienced person based in Scotland. Just visit www.madlug.com, choose your bag at and put in the code WHOCARESSCOTLAND2019 at the checkout.

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SUMMER2019 2019 Speak Out Magazine | WINTER

E R A WE

S N E Z I CIT TRE A E TH UP O R G L

ast year, I joined a theatre company with the Citizen’s Theatre, specifically for care experienced people. It is currently called We Are Citizens, but as a group we are going to choose a name that we think suits the company and communicates what we want to achieve with it.

The group was set up to bring care experienced people together and give them an opportunity to have a space where they can express themselves, something they might not always have access to due to financial issues or issues at home. I first heard about the group through Who Cares? Scotland and I also got an email from Arts In The City, who have a care experienced email list who they share with art-related workshops and events with. I decided to join because I have always loved acting but I hadn’t been involved with acting for a while, so this seemed like the perfect way to get back into it. I was initially very nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect, but now I am so glad that I joined. Through attending the theatre group, I have learned new skills and made new friends. Even though we are all care experienced, that isn’t the focus of the group. It’s a space where we can all meet and focus on our love of acting. When we first met, we got taster sessions on different disciplines that are connected to theatre. These included movement, set design, and sound scaping, where we got to make atmospheric sounds using our voices and things in the room. It was great to have these taster sessions cos we got to see what we could use in our own pieces to make them original and interesting. Just before the summer, we had a Summer Scratch Night. This is where we performed scenes and even a song that we wrote, all around the theme of summer. At the start of the devising process, we looked at summer movies and we all brought in songs that remind us of summer. We chose a scene from The Parent Trap that myself and another member of the group learned and performed on the night. This was a difficult role for me because I had to do an American accent! We meet every week and are currently having a play written for us that is going to be performed in February at The Scottish Youth Theatre. The play is about a group of teenagers in the late 70s in Glasgow who start a punk band! Working on this has been very fun and enjoyable. We have had a lot of creative freedom with our characters. My character is Lori, she’s 19 and looks after her little sister most of the time because her mum is ill, and dad works a lot. She loves punk music and works at the local chippy.

Chloe Wyper, 21

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NEWS & EVENTS LIFESTYLE

Speak SpeakOut OutMagazine Magazine||SUMMER WINTER 2019

‘MAKE YOUR FIRST CHANCE THE BEST CHANCE!’ unro Rebecca M

remember when I was in my early years of high school being moved from placement to placement whilst all my friends were able to experience their school years with what seemed like no worry or stress. I can recall being thankful when I got to experience a whole day in my classes without being disturbed by my guidance teachers pulling me out to meet with another stranger from the social work department. It wasn’t until | was in my 5th year that life started to settle, and I was able to get stuck into my chosen Highers, although I struggled with the curriculum as a result of missing so many hours of the school day in those younger years. Education is not the only road to success but there are still many care-experienced young people who

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while seeing it as an option continue to have to deal with the same disadvantages that so many of us adults experienced ourselves. However, with Corporate Parenting and the Higher and Further Education institutions of Scotland listening to what we have to say, I feel that there are now more opportunities for careexperienced people going through the education system. One such opportunity that I would love to highlight is a scheme that the University of St Andrews offers to school pupils across Scotland. This is not just for careexperienced school pupils but for all of us who are at a disadvantage when it comes to education. The University of St Andrews has partnered with Fife Education, Fife College, the Scottish Funding Council (Reach) and the Robertson Trust to offer First Chances Fife.

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SUMMER2019 2019 Speak Out Magazine | WINTER

IS IT FOR ME?

? WHAT IS FIRST CHANCES St

St Andrews prom otes the involvem ent of careexperienced pu pils because th ey acknowledge how many amaz ing care-experie nced people do not make it to the end of hi gh school. First Chances wants to make sure yo u can reach your full potential an d show you that there are no barriers to your success. If you fe el that you wou benefit from th ld is programme an d all the skills it offers to help yo u develop, then this is for you! First Chances ha s found that mor e than twothirds of pupils felt that their co mmunication skills benefitted from the works hops as well as helping them fe el more confide nt when working with other peop le. The University of St Andrews has made it thei r goal to help yo u explore all th amazing opport e unities that life can offer you.

It is a programme at the University of Andrews to help you realise your ambition and years, achievements throughout your school th and year 6 to gh throu 7 ary starting from Prim s shop work of s serie a is e ramm beyond. The prog ge colle , chers oltea scho by and events held staff and university lecturers, all while being at supported by current undergraduate students high r earlie your In ews. Andr St the University of lop school years, the programme aims to help deve g ortin supp as well as ol scho at the skills you use . steem self-e and n vatio your personal moti From 3rd year onwards, you are supported by a wide variety of resources such as tutoring from rces, undergraduate students, access to study resou in ols scho er summ l entia resid and revision camps ntial pote full your ve achie you help St Andrews to in education.

NOT CONVINCED?

th who has just started her 4 year Meet one of our members, Amy, a 15-year-old Chances for the last year: of high school and has been involved with First rent from being carediffe was I that “When I was younger, I always felt of different. Education sort that feel experienced and that I would only ever getting school just of set mind the was never a big deal to me. I was in 4th year. my of end the at leave over and done with and planned to me believe that I Unfortunately, being care-experienced made regards to with cially was disadvantaged in many ways, espe I would that me g tellin education. I had people around me go to ce chan the get nowhere in life, I would never get for gh enou emic to university and that I was not acad education. rent At this important point in my life, and in a diffe tion ambi the mindset to my younger self, I now have ing high to do well in education and I see myself finish many so me given school! First Chances has definitely been have I that experiences, even in the short time ential with them. Over summer I attended their resid res lectu rsity summer school and took part in unive le. peop inded and met so many amazing and likem I ons sessi I now look forward to the tutoring start this year with St Andrews and have more opportunities to visit the university. I’m also my excited for First Chances to help me develop me ng helpi as social and confidence skills, as well reach my best potential!”

INVOLVED? HOW DO I GET e on 01334 462346 or email c t Chances offi on form!

Firs licati Either call the .uk for an app c .a s w re d n a ts first.chances@

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Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Keepin g up with

Kev

to what and who we are. Important areas include; our communication with members, how we explain our organisation and making sure you are involved in our campaigning and influencing work. Look out for more detail on this at the start of next year.

Our scarf – Over the last few weeks

politicians have been wearing a tartan scarf. Tartan holds a unique place in Scottish history and is synonymous with identity and family. In order to celebrate their unique identity, Scotland’s Care Experienced people and WC?S designed the Care Family Tartan. It is the world’s only registered Care tartan. It is something we are proud of and have gifted to leaders and the care community across the world.

40 Years of Us – We continue

ear Members, As we move towards to the end of 2019, I have been reflecting on what we have achieved? What have we challenged? And most importantly what has changed? The answer is a lot! We have continued to call for care to fundamentally be different; for communities to care by understanding us; for our rights to be respected and for life long support to helps us experience equality respect and love. I am proud to have stood shoulder to shoulder with you our members, non-members and the broader Care Experienced community, to connect with leaders in Scotland and grow a movement across the world. As members you are the beating heart of our organisation and we want

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to thank you for that! I also want to say thank you to those who are not members but who receive advocacy or who are on the edges of care and engaging with us. You continue to help us evolve from a children’s organisation into a lifelong community for Care Experienced people. Keep pushing, keep challenging and make sure you never accept the unacceptable.

Membership survey – This year we completed our second ever membership survey and got a great response from members across Scotland. You have shared your ideas and told us how we could be better. We are now working to make changes

to campaign for change across 40 YEAR S OF US Scotland. Our PROJE CT UPDA TES 40 Years of Us project is now finalising its position on what our vision and action plan looks and feels like, specifically on love. We will be working to share this with a range of influencers, these will include the Scottish government, the Independent Care Review and in time, countries across the world. Next year we will be working out how we communicate this to you and also let you know how you can help us campaign and achieve the change that we need.

Care Family Christmas – Xmas is fast approaching and for the 6th year we will be having a Care Family Christmas dinner on Christmas Day in Glasgow. We know this day means different things for different people. We are delighted that a few Local Authorities have started to do their own dinners, recognising that relationships belong in the community. If you want to come along to Glasgow Christmas dinner please contact our office for more information. However, you choose to spend it, I hope you all enjoy the festive season and I can’t wait to catch up with again in the New Year!

Kevin

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FUNDRAISING HEROES Jayde and Kareen

n November the 10th Jayde and Kareen were our first ever fundraisers to take part in the Supernova 5k Night Run held in Falkirk. This fantastic 5K route is a great opportunity to explore the home of two 30-metre high horses! The Kelpies are mythical creatures who love to play at dusk, each one weighs over 300 tonnes. The run takes place in the dark because the sculptures are flooded with different coloured lights to produce a stunning light show to energise the runners! It also seems like the perfect way to distract them all from how out of breath they’ll be!

The Supernova is described as an ‘enlightening running experience’ and Jayde was keen to do it from the moment she heard about it. It was her birthday weekend, but she decided she wanted to do something different and for a good cause. Jayde registered

and it did not take much to persuade her friend and colleague, Kareen, to join her. Jayde and Kareen managed the run in under 40 minutes and they raised a phenomenal £200. What an achievement! Their £200 will go towards making this year’s Care Family Christmas Dinner happen. Thank you so much to both Jayde and Kareen! Dumfries - 12 Walkers

Kiltwalk 2019 Glasgow - 336 Walkers Aberdeen - 61 Walkers

We would also like to give a shout out to all our Kiltwalkers for 2019: Edinburgh - 102 Walkers

556 amazing fundraising heroes, who together raised a fantastic amount of £70,000.00 Dundee - 45 Walkers

Scottish Children’s Reporter

o top it all off, many Corporate Parents are fundraising for our Care Family Christmas Dinner Appeal. Jennifer and Susan are two of the team from SCRA who held a small Coffee Morning, raising £135.

They have also pledged to donate gifts for our members to open on Christmas Day. WitH the help of Corporate Parents like SCRA, we are able to provide many of our members with the Christmas Day they deserve! Thank you SCRA!

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CARE EXPERIEN CED WEEK 2019 T

his year saw even more people attend our 2 big national events held in Glasgow, to mark Care Experienced Week 2019. Hundreds turned up to march for love and kick start CEW19 at our opening event, the Love Rally. Walkers gathered at Glasgow Green before marching along Greendyke Street, Charlotte Street and the Trongate before finally reaching George Square, where several key speakers spoke to the crowd about the importance of making sure there is love in the lives of Care Experienced people. See Peter’s account below. The First Minister, although unable to be there in person, sent her wishes via Twitter. The week itself saw local regions celebrate in their own way, including Aberdeen below, before drawing to a close on Sunday 27th October with our 7th Time to Shine Festival. Over 400 Who Cares? Scotland members, their friends and supporters, travelled from across the country, dressed up as myths and legends, to dance, hang out and celebrate with each other. It was a legendary day, with some amazing Care Experienced performers and the fancydress bar was set high. Next year will have a tough act to follow!

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CEW19 in Aberdeen

019’s Care Experienced Week was massive in Aberdeen this year. Aberdonians journeyed to Glasgow for the Love Rally and also took part in a huge celebration locally. This was the first time Aberdeen had jumped on board in such a big way it was a fantastic week for everyone involved. Over 150 people attended the Care Experienced Week celebration day in Aberdeen. Young people, corporate parents, professionals, carers and lots of other people all gathered to celebrate together. Activities Included a bake off, yoga, loads of cakes, a selfie booth and voting by young people on a new name for a service. “It was great fun; I loved the selfie booth, the yoga and all the food” said one young person. And for the first time, Aberdeen young people attended the Love Rally this year. “A very early start that morning saw us arrive in time to join the march and have an

awesome day”, said Peter Melrose, Development Officer from Aberdeen. Peter, who had grown up in the care system in Australia, spoke at the Love Rally to more people than I could count, about what love means to him. “This was an experience that will stay with me all my life, it was very meaningful and special” he said. Aberdeen young people have been really inspired since attending the Love Rally, and they can’t wait for next year. Aberdeen is already looking forward to events to celebrate Care Experienced people next year, with a range of things planned, “but the next thing is our very own Christmas party on Christmas day for Aberdeen Care Experienced – young people are calling it ACEmas!” Peter said. If you’re a WC?S Member, living in our around Aberdeen and you’d like to be more involved then get in touch with Peter, either email him at pmelrose@whocaresscotland.org or give him a call on 07849 083 246.

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S N O I T A R CELEB

Love Rally

Time to Shine

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e v i t c e l l o C e Th IMPORTANT WHY IS TO ME? I

am Amie and I am a proud member of the collective. I joined Who Cares? Scotland’s national representative body, otherwise known as The Collective, because I believe there has never been a better opportunity to influence change. I, like many, have experienced separation, loss, trauma, multiple home placements, numerous interruptions to my primary and high school education, my religious beliefs were not supported, separated at times from my sister and brothers, a lack of access to health care and also safe and secure housing when I needed it most. I want and demand transformational change for the current and future generations who will join our care experienced family. I am an older member within The Collective, however, sadly the issues that I have experienced remain largely unchanged today. This motivates me to ensure that all corporate parents are held accountable and improve overall life outcomes for our community. I want to ensure that there is clear accountability and safeguards in place at every level of current and future decision making. I am a proud mother to my son and our dog (aka my fur baby), a wife, a big sister, a loving auntie, friend and colleague, a person with views and passion. I returned to education as a mature student and gained a degree in Community Education. I’ve had the privilege of meeting lots of amazing, inspiring, kind

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people in the care experienced community and our numerous allies. Care experience has too often been stigmatised through negative media portrayals which influence the public’s perception of what it is to be care experienced. I’m acutely aware that my care identity came with added stigma, shame and fear from an early age. It’s not good enough and we need to be at the forefront of challenging this and highlighting the diversity of our community. I’ve been able to express my views and raise awareness in various forums with The Collective through attending workshops, completing questionnaires and also attending the launch of the influential report We don’t Have to Wait, which was based on 40 years of evidence. I am delighted that areas such as Accountability, Love, Health, Home, Education and Employment were identified with clear requests to address the inequalities experienced by our community. I am pleased to say that some of our requests have been met and now there is an opportunity for care experienced people of any age who meet entry level criteria to attend higher education and receive financial support from next year. Free NHS dental care which includes cosmetic treatments extended from 18 years to 26 years. Discretionary housing payments creating improved housing options. New job start payments to support employment. Early learning and child care funded for children from 2 years who have

care experienced parents. Statutory provision to ensure brothers and sisters can remain together when taken into care, when it is in their interest. These policy changes will have a positive impact on our community, however, there is still work to be done. Collective members have been busy consulting with the wider care experienced community, whilst continuing to work alongside WC?S to review more of the available evidence. These working groups have engaged in the process of creating reports, these reports will have further recommendations and expectations from the community and our allies. We are also developing a manifesto to ensure aims of a national representative body will safeguard a lifetime of Equality, Respect and Love for all care experienced people. Last week I attended the launch of the Youth Homelessness Prevention Pathway-Improving Care leavers Housing Pathway. This is an area close to my heart, as too often care experienced people do not have somewhere safe and stable to call home. There was a real emphasis on the importance of creating interdependence as opposed to pure independence. It was refreshing to hear the roles of social supports and extended networks being recognised as factors that contribute to the

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success of â&#x20AC;&#x153;independent livingâ&#x20AC;?, factors that care experienced people so often go without. I listened and observed and there was a clear acknowledgement and commitment to change on a national basis to meet the needs of care leavers with a range of appropriate housing options. The legislative framework has developed significantly since my time in care, however, it continues to be open to interpretation in various boardrooms across the country and decisions are often influenced by available resources. The launch of the pathway brings together the legislative frameworks

and clear guidance on how to ensure that this is implemented nationally by highlighting duties and responsibilities which will be jointly managed between officials and organisations working within housing and social care. I am hopeful that this will end the postcode lottery and create increased options to meet individual needs no matter where they live in Scotland. I feel passionately that our community deserves to have our rights respected and upheld, and when this is not the case I want to ensure that the most appropriate independent supports are available.

Our community has too often been unfairly judged and discriminated against, leading to our potential being extinguished. The Collective is important to me, as it has provided me with a space to meet likeminded peers who want to campaign for change whilst being supported by an organisation that cares about our future. The time is now and I am hopeful for the transformational changes that will ensure that all children and young people in need are respected, have their rights and needs met and are then able to flourish within our society.

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WC?S GROUPS As a member of Who Cares? Scotland, you are entitled to attend our local groups. We have lots to offer. Have a look below to see what’s going on near you! If you would like more information about a group, you’ll find the telephone numbers for WC?S staff on the back of this magazine. If you can’t find anything for you, then get in touch by emailing membership@whocaresscotland.org

Renfrewshire

Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. Breakthrough: Fun, food & friends. For more info call Donald. Care Leavers Group: Young people transitioning from care. The Diamonds: Arts & crafts for under 10s. Johnstone Drop: Fun, food & friends for 11-16 year olds. Care2Play: Football for all ages. For more info call Julie.

Argyll & Bute Oban Helensburgh Dunoon For more info call Pamela.

Western Isles

The Young Islanders: Tackling island life. Transitions group: The “K” Klub: A safe space to discuss emotional wellbeing. For more info call Alison.

North Lanarkshire: Crafty Foxes: Arts & crafts for 8-14 year olds. For more info call Jaqueline. TNT: Fortnightly group. For more info call Laura C.

Glasgow

PAC: Young people (aged 1426) changing care. For more info call Callum L.

South Lanarkshire

The Wizards: Fun for under 16s in foster care, kinship care and looked after at home. Young Voices (16+): Changing the care system. For more info call Ewen K or Lynne M.

Kibble School

Kibble: Fun, food & friends. For more info call Jemma Kane.

East Renfrewshire

Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. Mini-Champs: Fun, food & friends for 8-13 year olds. For more info call Lindsay.

South Ayrshire

Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. SA (8+): Fun, food & friends. For more info call Sheryl. 16

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East Ayrshire:

EA: Fortnightly group for ages 11-16. For more info call Denise or Rachel.

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Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Moray Shetland

YP Forum For more info call Sian.

Moray Social: Fun, food & friends. Moray Leadership For more info call Lesley P. Moray Little Fix: Art, film, etc. For more info call Paula.

Highland

CHAMPS: Go on trips & have fun. Little CHAMPS: Fun for young people aged 5-11. Leadership: Create positive change in Highland. For more info call Laura G.

Aberdeenshire

YPOC LAC Factor Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. For more info call Lynne W.

Aberdeen City

ACE (12+): Fun, food & friends. ACE Sports (12+): Get sporty! Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. For more info call Peter.

Perth:

Fun Young Individuals: Fun, food & friends. For more info call Leah or Brooke.

Dundee

Champions Board/YPPG: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. For more info contact Leah or Cindy. Tayside Care2Create: Arts & crafts! For more info call Leah or Brooke.

Angus

Transformers For more info call Leah.

Clackmannanshire Oor Clacks Voices: A weekly group. For more info call Morag.

East Lothian

Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. FAMILY: Fun, food & friends. For more info call Sophie M.

Falkirk

Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. For more info call Scot.

Midlothian

Champions Board: Young people (aged 14-26) changing care. For more info call Susan A.

Edinburgh

YPiCC: Fun, food and friends. For more info call Ellie B or Lesley-Ann.

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Shetland’s First

Festival of Care I

n November 2019, Shetland held its first ever Festival of Care. The four day event aimed to increase awareness and understanding about what it is to be care experienced, challenge myths and stereotypes and celebrate the many achievements of care experienced young people living in Shetland. The Festival created opportunities for the local community to explore, engage and connect with care experience through film, art and interactive experience. Subtitled My Lighthouses Look Out for Me, a line from a poem written by Jason Campbell, a care experienced young person from Shetland. The festival asked the community to consider how they might become lighthouses for the care experienced community. “...Care is like shallow water; you are lucky to get through it. Sometimes you want to give up. And drift. Where will it take you? Stranded on a beach? Smashed on the rocks or out to open water? My lighthouses look out for me” The festival was co-created by Who Cares? Scotland and the #shetlandcrew a group of care experienced young people working to improve the experience of care in Shetland and beyond. Speaking on behalf of the group Aylesha said “We hope that the Festival raises awareness and increases knowledge of care and what it can mean to be care experienced. We want it to 18

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shine a new light on what care is and what it’s like. We’re hoping to create more understanding and less judgement, challenging the stigmas that can surround you as child growing up with experience of care.’ During the Festival of Care we: • Proudly raised our Care Flag on the Town Hall, flying high over Shetland, for the four days of the festival. • Invited the local community to bake 300 cupcakes, which we topped with a miniature copy of our flag and then gave them out to folks and organisations that had acted like lighthouses for us. • Hosted a Festival launch and exhibition featuring the artwork of local care experienced young people in collaboration with artist Stephen Davis, with opening speeches from a variety of contributors.

• Premiered a powerful film ‘The Salt Made Marks’ created by local care experienced Festival of C young are 20th - 23rd November 20 people with 19 artist and filmmaker Rozi Peters. • Delivered workshops and interactive experiences to over 300 school children at the local high school and over 100 professionals and Corporate Parents. Each of these were co-facilitated by care experienced people. • Held a fun-day for all ages, across the care experienced community and their friends, carers and corporate parents, with loads of different activities on offer.

The Shetland Care Flag

The flag has Sumburgh Lighthouse in the foreground with Muckle Flugga Lighthouse in the distance. The distance between the two represents the care journeys that some of our Shetland children and young people must make. Lighthouses shine light out to remote dark and difficult stretches of water, helping ships to navigate and steer safely to shore. The flag invites us to consider how we can be lighthouses for care experienced children and young people within our communities. The Orca represents the strength needed by our care experienced young folk and the Mirrie Dancers light up the sky to celebrate their skills, talents, hopes, dreams and achievements.

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Shetland and the Care Records Campaign Lee Davidson and Lynda Greig are Care Experienced members who visited the Shetland Isles during the Festival of Care to talk about their work on the Care Records Campaign. Lee and Lynda got involved with Who Cares? Scotland by attending events for older Care Experienced people and Lee is also now a member of the Who Cares? Scotland board! Lee and Lynda have both been working to change how care records are accessed and written across Scotland. They wanted to share their ideas of what records about people in care could and should look like, with professionals working with children and young people in care on Shetland. They also got the chance to speak to pupils in S2 and S3 at Anderson High School, to raise awareness about how Care Experienced people might have different knowledge of their family and history. Below are some of their reflections on travelling to Shetland for the first time and what they thought of the Festival of Care…

Lynda Greig

Lee Davidson

“Going to Shetland was exciting for me. I experienced my first time on a plane, was surrounded by amazing scenery and got to see what life, especially for Care Experienced people, was like in Shetland. When we arrived I was in total awe of how beautiful the place is and then we were met with the biggest hugs from the #shetlandcrew and had a lovely welcome from all the members and staff. The willingness of the professionals to learn was amazing. They told us that it’s totally different having an older Care Experienced person telling them what it’s like and explaining the impact of care. During the sessions with professionals we did about the campaign, I said that a Care Experienced person comes to you with a deficit of relationships and then this is redacted out of their records and papers. If you want an adult to function, that’s a whole deficit straight away they have to deal with. I also liked how engaged all the school kids were, even those we were told were hard to engage with were listening to us! I know certain teachers in the school already want to do more work with the #shetlandcrew because of the festival! What a way to impact your local community!

“I was so proud to be picked to go to Shetland, it was an amazing opportunity. I was made to feel at home right away and everyone showed love and embraced you with hugs. It was like meeting the family you’ve never met before… I felt confident delivering the work that we’ve already done on the Care Records Campaign and bringing it up to Shetland. There is so much opportunity here, it is one of the best places to make changes and have the fastest impact because it’s so small. We’ve planted the seeds and the ripple effect will be to create a forest of care and support, with lighthouses for everyone. I loved the lighthouse idea, created for the island but everyone can understand what that means throughout Scotland. The population of people in care here is so small, but the community are willing to do so much. Whereas it feels like in Glasgow, there’s so many care experienced people and not enough professionals are engaged to make the change needed. They could learn a thing or two from these islanders!”

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Goodbye from the 1000 Voices Team A

s the 1000 Voices project comes to an end on 20th December 2019, we have something very important we want to say to you…

“Thank You”

1000 Voices has had the privilege of helping the Care Review to hear from many, many care experienced

people. As the 1000 Voices project finishes up, we want to say thank you to everyone that took part. You used your voice to help the Care Review understand what needs to be improved. You used your voice to help make life better for other care experienced children and young people. You used your voice to make change.

Without you and other changemakers, the last two and a half years would not be possible. Everyone involved will always be grateful for the power of your voice. Thank you for being part of 1000 Voices.

Our favourite moments of 1000 Voices Kari-Ann: “My favourite thing has been the beautiful relationships we have made with children and young people throughout the 1000 Voices journey. Being invited to some of the group’s own events, such as BBQs, fun days, showcases, film screenings has been pretty special”. Callum: “My favourite memory has to be all the road trips. Driving as a convoy across the country to work with incredible children and young people, blasting obscure playlists and getting excited about new activity ideas, they were just hours of hilarity! Plus I don’t care what anyone else says, I’m great at a Disney singalong…” Kieran: “Our very first week in the job we went up to Aberdeen to go on a residential with the ACE group. It was myself, Kari-Ann and Erin, the three engagement and development officers, and we ended up playing hide and seek in the forest with the group

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of young people. It was the best first session and let me know that this job was going to be like no other” Erin: “My favourite memory from 1000 Voices was when we made a slime bath at Time to Shine in 2017! Throwing all the bad things about care into the slime then looking at all the good things on the yellow brick road” Heather: “For me, the opportunity to travel around Scotland for events and speaking to lots of different people has been incredible. I’ve loved getting on trains, cars, buses and even boats to places like Inverness, Dumfries and Dunoon to speak to people and be part of the journey of the Care Review” Prajapa: “The Ignition event when all the members of the 10 work groups came together to be inducted to the Review. They came from all corners

of Scotland, from across sectors, age groups, experiences and hopes. Such a diverse group brought together to achieve one mission. The Review felt real. It felt alive. Loved it” Carly: “There have been so many amazing moments but I’d have to say my favourite was when my incredible 1000 Voices team first started. I knew straight away they were the right people for the task ahead – supporting care experienced people to speak to the Review. They’ve always been full of passion and belief in the power that your voice can have!”

Goodb 1000 V ye from the oic here’s es Team, and to the future! Love, Carly, C Kieran allum, Erin, , Kari-A n Heathe n and rx

NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Fiona Checks In H

ello! I hope you’re doing really well and enjoying reading the latest issue of Speak Out magazine. As always, there are some fantastic articles and great advice from the brilliant members and staff from Who Cares? Scotland. It’s been a real honour having a regular column in the magazine and being able to give updates on what’s been happening at the Independent Care Review. The last couple of months have flown past and without doubt one of the highlights was seeing all the events, projects, and fun that took place during Care Experienced Week. This year’s event looked like the biggest to date, which is a great sign of the growing strength and friendship in the care experienced community here in Scotland, all over the rest of the UK - and even overseas. The Care Review team LOVED taking part in the Love Rally that proudly marched through the streets of Glasgow, into George Square where a mix of speakers spoke about the importance of being loved. The Love Rally was also where the Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that the Scottish Government will act on the recommendations of the Care Review, which is great news. I’d like to thank everyone who made it along to the Care Review’s ‘Countdown to launch’ event at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow at the end of November.

It was really important to have a chance for everyone to come together in appreciation for all of the time and effort that so many have given the Care Review in sharing their experiences, views and opinions on what has to change in Scotland to make life better for infants, children, young people and families. The event also marked the end of the Care Review’s Journey stage, and an opportunity to say thank you to all fellow Journey travellers, including the co-chairs and members of the ten work groups. Their knowledge, commitment and wise steering through the Journey helped make sure that positive change is possible. If you couldn’t make it along on the day, don’t worry, you’ll be able to watch videos and interviews on the Care Review YouTube channel and website. As the end of the year approaches, I have been reflecting and feeling thankful to you and the many amazing children and young people I’ve been lucky enough to meet and spend time with. Since the Care Review started in 2017 it has heard from over 5,000 people from every part of Scotland, with over half of those people having personal care experience. I’ve met so many smart, caring, passionate, talented, and brave individuals. People like you. And that gives me hope.

In Scotland and across the world, young people are standing up and fighting for a better future. Fighting for the environment. Fighting for rights. Fighting for each other. As the Care Review looks towards delivering its vision and recommendations in early 2020, let’s all do everything we can to make a better now and a better future for anyone who may experience care. The Care Review will be out and about in early 2020 to share what’s been learned and to explain how you have made a difference. I hope you have a happy and healthy festive period and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Fiona

Would you like to know more about the Care Review or get involved? • Email: participationhub@carereview.scot • Visit www.carereview.scot • Follow @TheCareReview on twitter and @carereviewscot on Instagram

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Your MSYPs ted are the Who Cares? Scotland elec Helen Johnston and Chloe Wyper r you liament. They will serve as members of the Scottish Youth Par en and Chloe here with a little Hel 1. representatives until March 202 the end of 2019. update for you all as we come to

First Scottish Youth Parliament Sitting 2019 - Chloe

per Chloe Wy

n ston Helen Joh

More recently - Helen

“Over the last few months things may have seemed a little quiet to the public eye, but as your MSYPs we have been meeting together to discuss our plan of action for the coming year. However, we want to ensure you are heard at every opportunity, so we need you to help us make a plan for 2020. We want to hear from you and would love it if you could send us your ideas and opinions on what you feel we need to do more on, whether that be campaigning about a subject you feel is important or facilitating a conversation about something you want us to challenge. There is a range of ways in which you can contact us. Look out for our survey that will go live in the coming weeks, alternatively, if you want to talk to us in more detail about our plan for the year you can you can give us a message on Facebook, Twitter or you can reach us at our emails. Our contact details are listed below.

“In June, the newly elected MSYPs gathered for the first time at the 69th national SYP Sitting in Clackmannanshire. It was my first ever Sitting and a residential weekend away, and I had such a great time. Once I had met a few of my fellow members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, we had lunch and were sent off to our allocated activities. My activity was archery. It was great to have time to get to know some of the other young people involved in the organisation in a way that was fun and engaging. The next day was the first full day. We all gathered to learn more about SYP, and how it works. Over the course of the weekend, we were sorted into our subgroups. My subgroup is Equalities and Human Rights. After that, we voted for our new board members and trustees. We then went into different workshops. The first workshop looked at our reasons for joining SYP and what we intend to do while we’re here. Both of us would like to say thank you for a great year and The second workshop looked at situations with we’re looking forward to what 2020 might hold!” different politicians and how we would be in those situations. The third and final workshop looked at how we could communicate to our constituents (you guys) and bring that information back to the SYP. We also voted on this year’s national campaign, which will be Helen.johnston.msyp@sypmail.org Chloe.Wyper.MSYP@sypmail.org around Environmental Protection. The weekend Facebook- Helen Sharon Johnston Facebook – Chloe Wyper was so much fun and I learned a lot!” Twitter - @Helen_MSYP Twitter- @ChloeWyper_MSYP

All our love Chloe and Helen xx

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

CHAMPS Camp 2019

The house that we stayed in had tremendous big gardens all around the building. On that first night, after dinner, we gathered around a camp fire and toasted marshmallows. We listened to one of the Highland Champs play the ukulele, and one of the members from ACE led us in singing some songs. A member of the group was also celebrating their 18th birthday so we enjoyed a chocolate birthday cake too! On day two, we looked at how each of our Champions Boards functions – what we had in common and what was different. This gave us a chance to share ideas and think about new things that could try when we go back to our local areas. It really helped us to understand how different all of the different groups and areas are, but that we are all working towards the same goals. We talked about how we get in touch with our corporate parents and how they support the work our Champions Boards do. And we agreed that our Champions Board groups have become a place where there is a sense of family and belonging, as well as a space to really create change in our local areas. It was quite magical and very special to have so many talented young people together for a whole weekend exploring their Champions Board work, inspiring each other with new ideas and sharing our achievements. The main learning for us all was that we are stronger together. When we work together, support each other and share our successes, we can achieve so much. And have lots of fun along the way! Hopefully there will be more Champs Camps around Scotland in 2020!

n November, for the first time EVER, four Champions Boards from across the North of Scotland joined for a weekend of fun, laughter and HARD WORK! The leadership groups from Highland, Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City (ACE) stayed in a lovely big house together in the centre of Forres, on the Moray coast, in the north of Scotland. On the first day each Champions Board spent time separately looking at the issues which we felt were our top priorities. Each Champions Board then presented back to the others and the similarities were overwhelming. We realised very quickly that one of the very top issues for young people in the North was ‘mental health’. We agreed that we wanted to see better support and services but that we also wanted to see more creative ideas. One young person, who noted that the North of Scotland is really quite a large area, said that we could maybe have HUBS for young people that were actually based on a bus. Then the bus could go to the young person’s local area rather than young people having to travel to reach support. That was one of our favourite ideas from the whole weekend!

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NEWS & EVENTS

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Awareness Training for Police Scotland

n September and October 2019, Nick, Emma and Laurie, Training Officers from the WC?S Training and Education team, joined forces with Police Scotland, CYCJ, Scottish Fire Service and Care Visions to deliver the very first awareness training to Police Scotland and Residential staff. This training was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Unnecessary Criminalisation of Children in Careâ&#x20AC;? which aimed to raise awareness to Police and residential staff about the complications which arise for children in care when the Police are called to manage distressed behaviours within a residential setting. All those presenting spoke of the Impact that negative Police involvement has on the life of the child, the outcomes that can follow and the trauma this negative contact with Police can cause. Police Scotland wanted to explain to their Officers that positive relationships with children in care are vital in helping the child and deeply important when carrying out their Corporate Parenting duties. It was explained to those attending that involving the Police for low level offences occurring in the residential houses leads to a negative outcome for the child such as unnecessary charges and creates bad relationships for everyone involved. We spoke at length about the ways in which Corporate Parents

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can engage meaningfully and positively with children in care, moving away from criminalising children where it is not necessary. Police Scotland were passionate about empowering their Officers to use their discretion, create a space where Officers could change a long-standing culture of unnecessary criminalisation and passionate about allowing Officers to engage positively, free from bias. Residential staff were encouraged to do this too! This pilot was exciting and ground-breaking and is paving the way for a reduction in negative Police involvement with Care Experienced children and young people. The training filled Officers and staff alike, with pride in their relationships with Care Experienced children and young people and empowered them to change how things are done, in order to create a better present and future for children in care. The future hope is that this awareness training is rolled out across Scotland!

SPACE! WATCH THIS

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS & EVENTS

Introducing Gary Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Gary, is the newest member of the SpeakOut Editorial Team. In his application to join the team Gary said he would like SpeakOut to include more articles on sport, particularly football. We agreed with Gary and are really excited to see what Gary comes up with. To start with though, Gary introduces himself briefly and gives a taster of things to come…

i, my name is Gary and I am new in the editorial world! I thought before I write my first article I would tell you a little bit about myself. I am 13 years old. I am a Celtic and Arsenal fan. I enjoy playing Playstation and playing football. I have a cat called South and 3 dogs named, Poppy, Hector, and Alfie. As you might have guessed I love football! My favourite footballers are Boli Bolingoli and Kieran Tierney, one plays for Celtic and the other Arsenal, surprise surprise! Some of you might know that up until August they both played for Celtic F.C! The current champions of Scottish premiership football… in case you didn’t know! Then this summer Tierney went to the English Premier League club, Arsenal! This left me very upset as he was my idol and favourite player but now, I like Bolingoli better, although Keiran has still got a space in my heart as luckily I am also an Arsenal F.C fan. I try and go regularly to see Celtic play when I can. One day I would like to go and see Arsenal live at the Emirates Stadium, which is the current fourth biggest stadium in England with a capacity of 60,260. I am happy for Kieran but unhappy that he has left my lifelong club. At 22 years of age, it was a big and risky move for him. I hope it pays off. I like to keep fit by playing football, and every goal I score (loads) is dedicated to Bolingoli and Kieran Tierney.

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NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

n o c i t p o n a P The by Jenni Fagan I

n October, the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Jenni Fagan’s first novel arrived at the Traverse theatre in Edinburgh. This was exciting news, because The Panopticon tells the story of Anais Hendricks, a young girl growing up in the care system, who’s got as many convictions as she’s had placement moves. Not your usual heroine you might say! The Media Club, who look at the representation of Care Experienced characters within the media, decided this would be an interesting representation to look into, because although Jenni Fagan is herself Care Experienced, how would her novel translate onto the stage, where it would be brought to life by non-Care Experienced actors and a director. The harsh and often brutal reality of growing up in today’s care system is a story rarely told in the theatre. How would they manage it and how would the play be received?

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As part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s First Nights programme, an initiative which was set up to create first-in-a-lifetime theatre experiences for young people who face barriers to attending, the Media Club received a number of free tickets to The Panopticon. On the night of the play, before it began, our members were granted a surprise audience with Jenni Fagan! Over slices of pizza, Jenni spoke about her experience of growing up in the care system, how she came to write The Panopticon and what it had been like to be involved in the process of taking it from page to stage. Our members were shy about asking her questions to start with but were soon emboldened by her frank and honest answers. Jenni does not mince her words! She spoke about how keen the actors in the play had been to find out everything they could about growing up in care, and had questioned her relentlessly and somewhat painfully,

this had reassured Jenni, and made us hopeful that the sincerity of the book would translate to the stage. Jenni left us with her hope that no-one should ever be defined their care experience, and we hurried to find our seats and waited for the production to begin. The performance was bold, hard hitting and often difficult to watch. It took you on a roller coaster ride of emotions and spat you out at the end. Our members had different reactions but one thing they did agree on was the authenticity of how Care Experience was depicted. It was all in the little things: the bin bags of belongings that Anais arrives with, the chat amongst the young people living in the unit, Anais’ description of her 50+ placement moves. Our members said these little details meant you could tell that someone who’d lived in the care system had been present throughout the production process. Jenni’s fingerprints were everywhere! “Shockingly Beautiful.” Jay “Tragically Beautiful. The build-up was beautiful. It started off with the pain created from small issues you face when growing up in care, onto the pain from big issues, but eventually there is escape and freedom.” Aamina

NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

My Drawings Molly Pollard, 17 I first started to draw when I was 6 and was obsessed with Bratz. I used to draw Cloe with a top hat and walking stick as seen in the book. I drew these pictures for my dad. I now use drawing as a coping mechanism to keep me calm when I’m angry and happy when I’m sad. The drawings pictured, I had drawn for some of my co-workers; The Princess was for Lisa because of her big eyes and hair like the size of

her heart. The Selfie Fanatic was for Carolelynne as she is always trying to get me to go walking and to the gym (I’m too lazy for that). And the skull for Katie since she may be hard-working but that’s because she cares so much about her job and the people that she works with. If I had a chance to do this year over again, I don’t think I would change anything apart from maybe my time keeping.

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NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

IN IT TO WIN IT… O

nce you’ve completed the IN IT TO WIN IT PAGE please return it to your Who Cares? Scotland APW or send it to Who Cares? Scotland, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow, G1 4QR by Thursday 12th March 2020 to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher of your choice.

Trivia

Where do the whos live in ‘How the Grinch stole Christmas’?

What brings Frosty to life in ‘Frosty the snowman’?

What is the French word for Christmas?

What was the original colour of Santa’s suit?

Unscramble the words AMISTSHRC

NCAOSOETIRD

LFE

NRSEEPT

EETR What present did Harry Potter receive for his first Christmas at Hogwarts and from who?

ng? Guess the so ng, Sleigh bells ri ing are you listen ow In the lane, sn is glistening

ANSWER:

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

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WNOS

TGHSIL

UPDRHOL

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LAST ISSUES WINNERS ARE: Becky Williamson, 22 Lewis Johnstone, 14

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NEWS & EVENTS ENTERTAINMENT

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

â&#x20AC;¦ N U F R O JUST F

h c r a e s d r o W s a tm s i r Ch C

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS FUN

PRESENT REINDEER SANTA

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

NEWS & EVENTS SO JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

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

What’s Hot What’s Not ½ Tom , 10

Tom spent time getting ready for his meeting with his Who Cares? Advocate, Pamela, over a lovely lunch in Frankie and Benny’s. Why did you choose Frankie and Benny’s for lunch? I really like it and it’s never too busy so we could get a proper chat. Oh, and the deserts are yummy. What did you order? I went for a kids meal: dough balls, spaghetti meatballs and a brownie.

How was the food? It was so yummy, awesome and fresh. Would you recommend this restaurant? It’s awesome and it’s the best place EVER. The only downfall is the music, it’s to old fashioned, they should play capital radio. What was the best bit? I had to make a bib for Pamela so she wouldn’t spill her lunch down her white top, she looked so funny

. Rating..

e n o l a M t s o P

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

by Amirah age 11

P O S T

partying in the car on the way there oozing with excitement soon we got there then we started to do the march

M A L O N E

march lasted one hour and then I got bored Amy stayed with Ellie later Amirah and Elaine went for a wee look for clothes once we did that we collected A and went clothes shopping next we went to McDonalds for lunch everyone was very happy of there day

NEWSSO & EVENTS JUNIOR

Speak Out Magazine | WINTER 2019

Champions for Change Champions for Change are a South Ayrshire group. They have 2 meeting times: • Every fortnight on a Tuesday, 4.30 til 6.30 in Girvan. • Every fortnight on a Thursday, 4.30 til 6.30 in Ayr.

Here’s lots o f pictures we found fo r evidence!

Our reporters Niamh, Karis and Martin, did some investigating into the Champions for Change group and this is what they found out:

What do people like about the group? • “playing the xbox” • “the people in it” • “the pool table” • “its gets me out the house” • “lots of arts and crafts” • “Our volunteers that come to the group.”

fferent some of the di Can you name ne? things we’ve do g” in ak m • “slime ovie nights” m d an • “games trials” • “bush tucker • “bowling” ” ttoo exhibition • “visited a ta • “football” ss” • “mindfulne a, Chinese, zz Pi g! • “Eatin too!” d lots of fruit McDonalds an ” • “Hill walking farm” e th to • “Trips

BFFs

Sydney, 11

Lauren , 10

I remember the day I saw you, Flapping around, Having fun, Making silly sounds. I knew from a second, We would be friends forever and ever, Till our lives end. Going out together, Having fun. One year later, We are still best friends, And I hope we will be Till our lives end.

Colour me in!

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Paula Campbell APW Moray 07712870335

Sian Wild APW Shetland 07599044615

Donna Bentley Schools Advocacy and Participation Development Officer 07748494341

James Cameron APW Highland 07841 878 953

Candy Preater APW Angus 07712 866835

Peter Melrose Development Officer 07849083246

Cindy McNaughton Senior Practitioner Dundee 07810 570222

Karen Kearney Development Officer 07523512796

Scot Millar APW Fife College & Falkirk Champions Board 07712872096

Fiona Simpson APW Glasgow 07787 560 472

NATIONAL OFFICE: 1st Floor, 5 Oswald Street, Glasgow G1 4QR. Tel: 0141 226 4441 e.mail: membership@whocaresscotland.org DUNDEE OFFICE: 11 Castle Street, Dundee DD1 3AA Tel: 01382 202888

Lisa Allan APW North Lanarkshire 07790341265

IRVINE OFFICE: Sovereign House, Academy Road, Irvine, KA12 8RL

Sophie Morris APW East Lothian 07985 046739

Kim Campbell APW Glasgow 07712 870 343

NORTH NORTH EAST NORTH WEST CENTRAL

Susan Armstrong APW Midlothian & Borders 07712872078

Jayde O’Connor South Ayrshire APW 07849086188

Ellie Barrow APW Edinburgh & Harmeny 07970 515 440

Sheryl Kay APW South Ayrshire 07738 195 692

Michelle McAtear APW South Lanarkshire 07841033107

Ewen Kerr APW South Lanarkshire 07970515442

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Lesley-Anne Rafferty APW Edinburgh 07787560471

Denise McMillan East Ayrshire APW 07932 101076

Brenda Ann Murphy McKenna APW North Lanarkshire 07805 541 262

Kiera Kerracher APW Edinburgh 07849083003

Rachel Outram APW East Ayrshire 07985 089 947

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Jordan Ray APW North Lanarkshire 07849086681

Laura Campbell North Lan Development Officer 07849086191

Lynne Morris South Lanarkshire 07786 068 138

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Donald Walker APW Renfrewshire 07712 865958

Mags Corr APW North Lanarkshire 07841033018

Jacqueline McLachlan APW North Lanarkshire 07841033020

Julie MacTaggart Project Co-ordinator 07769 326 101

Morag Cantwell APW Clackmannanshire 07523512612

Lynsey Emery Development Officer 07980956140

Jemma Kane APW Kibble 07540 823 286

Angelina Gould APW Orkney 0784 9087478

Heather Nailard APW Argyll & Bute 07769325000

Lindsay Cook APW East Renfrewshire 07973801709

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Paul Lamont APW Dundee 07787436681

Pamela Hynes APW Argyll & Bute & Crossreach 07739 078 244

Shannon Howie Kibble & East Dunbartonshire APW 07841 033093

Sharon Edwards West Lothian APW 07769 451 117

Mary Bateman APW Falkirk 07739 078 247

Lynne Williamson APW Rossie & Aberdeenshire 07712869576

Leah Law APW Perth & Kinross, Balnacraig & Sycamore 07976738663

Amy Goodwin APW Spark of Genius 07971474168

Rosemary Drylie APW Kibble 07849084996

Alison Frizzell APW Western Isles/ Eilean Siar 07764290921

Lesley Prendergast DO, Moray Champions Board 07841 032 885

Laura Graham Development Officer Highland (MAT cover) 07825269678

Kirsteen Wood APW Highland (MAT cover) 07523512610

Caroline Breen APW North Lanarkshire 07849087753

Suzanne Niven APW North Lanarkshire 07849 083 248

Sarah Bailey APW North Lanarkshire 07715 312 658

Geo Welshman APW Inverclyde 07849087806