Could you tell us about yourself?
My names Dionne, I’m 18 and I’m currently studying a HNC in Healthcare practise at Ayrshire college. I recently entered into Miss Ayrshire and I’m so excited to be working alongside Who Cares? Scotland throughout my Miss Ayrshire journey.
Signing up for Miss Ayrshire was definitely a spur of the moment thing, I had been following Miss Great Britain for a while and then I found out Ayrshire had its own gateway to that. After applying I went down a rabbit hole of pageants, I found out about the amazing charity work they do for all and it has really inspired me to do work on my own. I am so excited for this new chapter in my life and I am so happy to be working alongside Who Cares? Scotland as my amazing chosen charity.
Why are you choosing to fundraise for Who Cares? Scotland?
I’m choosing Who Cares? Scotland for my fundraising as I am Care Experienced myself and was adopted when I was two. I have siblings who grew up in different care settings and often had a hard time in care and experienced stigma for growing up in care. As well as I did myself for being adopted. I don’t think people have much knowledge of the meaning “Care Experienced” and I want to change that.
I have set up an Instagram account @beyond_thecarelabel to amplify the voices of Care Experienced people and support the work of Who Cares? Scotland.
What are your goals for the future?
My goal in the future is to get my Doctorate in psychology, I have such a passion for mental health and I would love to be a big part of people’s recovery journeys.
Were there any people or experiences which helped you believe you could go for Miss Ayrshire?
My mum and dad, my aunt and my old foster carers who I am still in contact with are my biggest supporters. They always have been for me and they were so excited when I told them I was competing in Miss Ayrshire. They’re my support system and I’m so grateful for them and the life they have made for me.
Do you have any advice for anyone who is too scared or unsure what they want to do in their future?
My biggest piece of advice is don’t rush! You don’t need to know overnight what it is you want to do. You will find your passion when you are least expecting it. Also don’t stay in a place where you are miserable, from my own experience, leaving a place that made me feel like that was the best decision I made and now I am a lot happier. You know what’s best for you.
You can follow Dionne’s Miss Ayrshire journey by following her Instagram account @beyond_thecarelabel or you can donate to her fundraiser here.
We’re so excited to be working with her to educate people about Care Experience and fundraise for our work at Who Cares? Scotland. We’ll be supporting her every step of the way!
