About the Empowered Voices Programme

We’ve been at the centre of empowering Care Experienced people to use their voices since 1978. Throughout this time, we have grown, learnt and understood how to campaign more effectively and what support for that looks like.

Care Experienced people have always spoken up and campaigned for change. Across centuries, this has taken many different forms, but one thing holds true, the power of the voices of those with experience of care has driven change.

This programme will teach you 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.

Training will take place over three weekends during the year, with the opportunity for further learning on an ad hoc basis.

We are currently taking applications for the next cohort of our Empowered Voices Programme!

What our participants say...

The diversity of people and connecting with others over care experience was great. I learnt so much between serious and fun and I loved interacting with the amazing young people.
It’s given me the confidence to get involved in media opportunities and I recently spoke on a panel at a conference.
It’s a really good way to connect with other care experienced people in the community and the staff at Who Cares? Scotland.
I’ve taken part in a lot of parliamentary events, these have been really beneficial in building my confidence and drive for being involved in campaigning.
I’m usually an awfully quiet person around people and now I’m not as quiet as I used to be around new people.
Whats stuck with me the most is the diverse life experiences of everyone involved in the empowered voice programme. it was so insightful.
It helped me realise I’m capable of more than I thought and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.

Since the programme began three years ago, over 40 Care Experienced people have been involved. They have learnt new skills and developed their campaigning abilities.

From those on the programme, 100% been involved in other aspects of our work such as being featured in the news, attending committee sessions at the Scottish Parliament, going to Bute House to speak with the First Minister, helping influence change by sharing their experiences and even speaking at our Love Rally demonstrations.

Whatever your goal is, whether you want to be better at public speaking or want to develop your own campaign, this training programme is designed to support you to feel more empowered.

Apply for the next round!

We are recruiting for the next round of the Empowered Voices Programme, which will be held in 2026/27.

At the beginning of the programme, we will find out what skills you wish to develop, and that will help us design the programme to suit the group taking part. Training will take place over three weekends during the year (in October 2026, March 2027 and May 2027) with the opportunity for further learning in between, including opportunities to speak to the media, meet with decision-makers and influence policy.  

Applications close on the 24th August.

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Apply today!

Got a question?

If you have any questions about the programme, you can ask for help from any member of staff at Who Cares? Scotland or from the Policy & Public Affairs team at

policy@whocaresscotland.org

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