Care Experienced History Month takes place in April every year.
How the state supports Care Experienced people is a conversation that has been ongoing for over 4,000 years. Through Care Experienced History Month, we aim to explore this history by telling the stories of Care Experienced people past and present.
This year we’ll be sharing TikToks that delve into different moments from the history of care. Follow us on TikTok @WhoCaresScotland so you don’t miss out!
International Care Experienced Day of Remembrance
On April 30th 2021, we held the first International Day of Remembrance for Care Experienced people to mark the end of the first-ever Care Experienced History Month.
Since then, we come together on the 30th of April every year to remember all the Care Experienced people who have come before us.
The International Care Experienced Day of Remembrance was created by Care Experienced people across the world who called for the recognition that Care Experienced people have been a part of societies in all corners of the world for as long as can be remembered. They have been present in communities and cultures across the world for centuries. There are many Care Experienced people who have made an impact on societies in all corners of the globe.
However, throughout history, as a result of oppression and systemic mismanagement of their lives, Care Experienced people haven’t always been afforded the opportunity to meet their full potential.
We believe that Care Experienced people, children of the state, no matter how long ago they left us, should be remembered. By coming together online, we honoured their legacy.
This symbol was created by Care Experienced people, to commemorate Care Experienced people throughout global history. The image represents a bridge from the past to present, a bridge to the people, a bridge to the future and bridging the divide in understanding of the history of Care Experienced people.
History Around the World
Select a county to find out more.
Untold Stories
We want to share with you the journeys of Care Experienced people you haven’t heard of, as well as well-known figures, throughout history and to the present day. In doing so, we highlight their care experience or their story that is untold.
Global Reading List
Click the image below to find out more.
Other Resources
Magdalene Asylums, Rescue Homes, and Lock Hospitals in Scotland
Andrew Kendrick, Emeritus Professor at University of Strathclyde, explores the use Magdalene asylums, rescue homes and Lock hospitals as part of Scotland’s care history.
Suleiman Capsune’s Story, 1873(?) to 1890
Dr Christine Whyte, from The University of Glasgow, shares the story of Suleiman Capsune a Care Experienced person who was brought from Sudan to Wolverhampton as a ‘ward’ before being sent back to North Africa.
A Moment in Care
Written by Emma Norry, a Care Experienced author, she explores the history of her own childhood and how it sparked her love of books. Her new novel, Fablehouse, is based on Holnicote House, a Somerset orphanage for the ‘brown babies’ of white women and Black American GIs in the 1950s. It follows a group of Care Experienced children on a magical adventure.
An Exploration of Corporal Punishment in Residential and Foster Care in Scotland
As part of the Care Experienced History Month blog series, Andrew Kendrick, Emeritus Professor at the University of Strathclyde, explores the history of Corporal Punishmentfor Care Experienced people in Scotland. CW: physical abuse.
Have you Heard of the Foundling Museum?
Our National Representative, Thomas Bartlett, shares his visit to the historic Foundling Museum in London.
Children’s Experiences of State Removal from their Families in the Late Nineteenth Century
Annie Skinner explores the experiences of Care Experienced people in Waifs and Strays Society (WSS) (now The Children’s Society) during the 19th century.
Sharing the Untold Stories of Care
WC?S announces the return of Care Experienced History Month for 2022, focusing on a lecture series about the Untold Stories of Care.
The Edinburgh Orphan Hospital
Find out how Edinburgh Waverly train station and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art were the sites of The Orphan Hospital.
Winning care-leaving rights and extending the age of leaving care
Read the story of how Care Experienced People influenced the Scottish Parliament to change the law in 2014.
Care Experienced History Around The World – Aotearoa New Zealand
As part of Care Experienced History Month we researched history around the world. This is the History of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Defining Care Experience in Australia
This page provides a defintion of what Care Experience means and lists of the different phrases used in Australia which are included as Care Experienced people.
The History of Care in Australia
Care Experienced people have been a part of Australian society since records began. This page provides a brief background on the history of the care system in Australia.