Members’ Hub
New Member Opportunities
We currently have 3 exciting member opportunities:
join our
national Representative body
NRB members will be part of regional teams, helping local members to voice their views and representing these views on a local and national scale.
You will learn new skills, make new friends and be the voice of our members in your area.
Key info:
- Must be 16 to apply
- Willing to represent the wider membership
- Will attend national gatherings and meetings
- Will work closely with local team
- Commit to at least 4 hours a week
- Must attend and support local groups at least once a month
- Commit to 2 year term
Applications close 30th June.
Stand to become a member of the scottish youth parliament
We are looking to hear from members interested in representing Who Cares? Scotland and the Care Experienced community at the Scottish Youth Parliament.
You will learn about politics, create motions and get to represent Care Experienced young people at Scotland’s biggest youth forum.
Key info:
- Must be aged 14-25 to apply
- Will demonstrate a passion for making change
- Will also be part of the NRB
- Commit to at least 4 hours a week
- Attend 3 national sittings a year
- Commit to 2 year term
Find out more
Sign up to our empowered voices programme
We’re looking for Care Experienced people who want to learn vital campaigning, activism, and public speaking skills.
You will make connections with other influential Care Experienced people and have the opportunity to drive change together.
Key info:
- Must be 16 to apply
- Will be interested in gaining new skills, developing yourself and meeting new people
- Must be able to distinguish personal views from collective voice
- Commit to 3 weekend training sessions a year
Applications close 31st July.
What is membership?
Our membership offer is made up of 3 key themes:
Reward
We want to make sure our members’ benefit from our offer. So once you’re signed up, keep your eyes peeled for treats we might send you. We’ll also let you know about any unique opportunities on offer, such as give aways and competitions. We also highlight employment opportunities. These opportunities may come from us or partner organisations. See the Members’ benefits section below for more detail.
Connect
The chance to connect with people who have similar or shared experiences helps everyone to feel understood, respected and like they belong. We support and resource safe and valued local, regional and national spaces, bringing members together to explore their identities and build peer relationships.
Shape
We support and empower members to develop as representatives who can speak on behalf of the membership community. Our members help shape and inform Who Cares? Scotland’s decision-making processes as well as having the aspiration to positively change Scottish culture to ensure a better future for all Care Experienced people.
Members’ Benefits
We offer our members a range of benefits including:
Primary
Age 3-10
A membership pack
With welcome booklet, wristband, badge and Buddy the Bear when you sign up.
Birthday cards
Handwritten to show you we’re thinking of you.
Christmas parcels
With a small gift just for you.
SpeakOut Junior
Our membership magazine for our younger members. We send out 4 issues a year. To view previous issues of SpeakOut click here.
Secondary
Age 11-26
A membership pack
With welcome booklet, wristband, badge and pen when you sign up.
Birthday cards
Handwritten to show you we’re thinking of you.
Christmas parcels
With a small gift just for you.
Monthly e-newsletter
Newsflash sent to straight to your inbox so you won’t miss a thing.
SpeakOut
Our original membership magazine which has been published since 1978 and captures the voices of Care Experienced people. To view previous issues of SpeakOut click here.
Plus
Age 27+
A membership pack
With welcome booklet, wristband, badge and pen when you sign up.
Birthday cards
Handwritten to show you we’re thinking of you.
Christmas parcels
With a small gift just for you.
Monthly e-newsletter
Newsflash sent to straight to your inbox so you won’t miss a thing.
SpeakOut
Our original membership magazine which has been published since 1978 and captures the voices of Care Experienced people. To view previous issues of SpeakOut click here.
Upcoming member opportunities & events
As a member, we’ll let you know about relevant opportunities and events coming up.
Want to be a part of helping Care Experienced children and young people engage in activities to build their confidence and skills? Then take a look at this new volunteering opportunity.
Do you have a passion for inspiring others, a background in or a passion for art or maybe a love for all things sport related?
Want to help our Education and Engagement team from home? This volunteer opportunity is perfect for those looking to volunteer remotely, have the chance to access opportunities and gain more third sector experience.
Our Photos
Take a look at the photo albums from our most recent events.
Shaping our work
Being a member means shaping our work. Who Cares? Scotland is your organisation, and it is our job to listen to you.
We have created a variety of opportunities for you to have your voice heard. Our members make sure everything that we do is in the best interests of the Care Experienced community. We support our members to speak to other organisations, to local authorities, and the First Minister in order to affect positive change.
Member stories
International Women’s Day: Strong Sisters
To mark International Women’s Day, Care Experienced writer Millicent Wenlock has written a blog discussing some of the challenges Care Experienced women and girls experience. Plus, how we can celebrate our successes and the achievements of the women around us.
Care Experienced Week 2023
Care Experienced Week 2023 took place from the 22nd to the 29th of October. Find out how we celebrated this year.
3 Pieces of Advice
To mark Black History Month, Care Experienced writer Leah Flint has written a blog sharing her experience growing up as a mixed race child in a white foster family and offers 3 pieces of advice on how we can all be better allies to the black community.
Made by Michael
Talented Who Cares? Scotland member unveiled as the first designer behind new brand with the John Lewis Partnership.
The Care Experienced Tartan
For Tartan Day we’re looking back at the journey of our Care Experienced tartan and what it represents.
Understanding the Importance of Shared Identity for Care Experienced People
Marissa, a member of Who Cares? Scotland, is currently in her final year studying Community Development. Her dissertation topic is looking into shared identity of Care Experienced people.
Live on Set with The Beaker Girls
Our member, Farrah, 13, took a trip to the set of The Beaker Girls in Bristol. She caught up with the crew and got to see how a scene is filmed. Read all about her trip and check out her Q&A with Dani Harmer who plays Tracy, Emma Maggie who plays Jess and Chi Megan who plays Jordan.
“One of my first joyful memories is baking when I was in foster care.”
Xavier Rae, a member of the National Representative Body, is currently studying international hospitality in Edinburgh. Find out more about his passion for baking and his career aspirations in this case study.
Digital Wellbeing Resources
The Digital Wellbeing project ran from October 2021-2022. It brought together 4 passionate members to explore and develop resources for our members and Corporate Parents on digital wellbeing.
Highlights from Time To Shine 2022
To mark the end of Care Experienced Week 2022, 300 of our members and their families took off on an out-of-this-world experience at our Time to Shine festival.
The Launch of our New Strategic Plan at our 2022 Members’ Assembly
Find out what happened at our Members’ Assembly this October.
Edinburgh Fringe Review: Cassie and the Lights
Our Communications Support Officer and WC?s Member, Damien Mack visited the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time and wrote a review of theatre show, Cassie and the Lights.
Members’ resources
Care Leaver Payment Consultation Feb 2024
Education Reform Consultation Response
Know Your Rights Pack (for Young People)
Know Your Rights Pack (for Children)
Corporate Parenting Newsletter and Promising Practice – Winter 2023
How to write a great Corporate Parenting plan – Guidance Document
Want to check out the full Resource Library?
Here you’ll find our full range of resources which can be filtered by type and theme depending on what you are looking for.
SpeakOUT
Take a look at the most recent issues of our membership magazines – SpeakOut and SpeakOut Junior!