Annual Participation Programme Update

The Annual Participation Programme Update

In the last edition of SpeakOut, we spoke about the launch of ‘The Annual Participation Programme’. This programme of opportunities will help Who Cares? Scotland plan for participation activity throughout the coming year, and it will allow members to choose how they get involved. Whether this is as an individual, part of a local group, or by taking part in national workshops.

The first theme of the programme was Child and Human Rights. We had several sessions running where we engaged with our members on this issue. Children’s Hearing Scotland also joined us for these discussions and provided feedback on their new Inclusion Strategy.

Our amazing Kari-Ann, APW and Development Officer, shared her reflections on the first few sessions!

“With the first Children and Human Rights national session fast approaching, I was incredibly excited to be facilitating the session but also very nervous! In the first two sessions we were joined by Juliet from Together Scotland. Juliet created an interesting and informative presentation of the work she and the organisation have been involved in. Most notably, the incorporation of the UNCRC into Scots Domestic law. Juliet spoke highly of Who Cares? Scotland’s role within campaigning for this law change to happen. Ryan McShane and other MSYP also got high praise and recognition for their role in pushing decision makers to act in making this important law change.

Juliet then handed the virtual mic over to me to lead a discussion around Child and Human rights. I cannot emphasise enough that in both sessions, the participants contributions were incredible, thoughtful, and insightful. The conversation was enriched with ideas, embedded with lived experience and solution focused, with everyone bringing bravery to these sessions. I always feel privileged to do the job I do, no more so than when I facilitate sessions.” Our second theme within The Annual Participation Programme was COVID-19 Recovery Planning. Since March 2020, the global pandemic has changed everyday life as we know it and has impacted every individual in society. Who Cares? Scotland have continued to support the Care Experienced community through this unprecedented situation, and we have seen the significant impact that Covid-19 had, and continues to have, on many Care Experienced individuals’ lives.

We want to understand the impact of the global pandemic for our members and explore with them the wider implications of this lifechanging event. We also wanted to understand what it felt like and meant to our members to live through this strange and stressful time.

These sessions have run between October and December and continue to be very engaging!

The next theme will kick off in the New Year and will be Realising The Promise. Look out for how you can get involved in our national engagement sessions.

If you have any questions please get in touch with the Policy Team –

policy@whocaresscotland.org

We will be creating new themes for the rest 2021/2022 soon, which is very exciting! So keep an eye out on the Who Cares? Scotland website - https://www.whocaresscotland.org/

the-annual-participation-programme/

and on social media to sign up for the upcoming themes!