What is the NRB?
The National Representative Body’s function is to represent our members voice between Members’ Assemblies and to support our development as a member led organisation, helping to ensure members shape the design and delivery of Who Cares? Scotland’s work and lead transformative change for Care Experienced people in Scotland and globally.
The first group of National Representatives were elected at the Members’ Assembly in February 2021, following a recruitment process. They served a 2 year term and were key in supporting the Annual Participation Programme, and our ambition to engage members more broadly with it.
For our 2023-25 NRB, we have chosen to make it regional. So, just like in local elections, Representatives will be elected by their Care Experienced peers in their local area. 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. Regional teams may have more than one local authority attached to them. The NRB aims to include a diverse range of members who can fully represent the wider membership including, race, age, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, social, cultural, and ethical backgrounds, and Care Experience itself.
Applications are now open to join our NRB (National Representative Body). Download our Application Guide which has all the information you need.
You can apply to be a national Representative if:
- You will be 16 years old or older in June 2023
- You need to be able to evidence your ability to work in a representative space
- You are a Care Experienced member of Who Cares? Scotland
- You can commit on average at least 2 hours a week to working alongside your local team and other Representatives.
- You can commit to the role for an initial two-year term, though there will be an opportunity to review at the end of year one.
- You are willing to represent the wider membership and care community to help make sure the voices of all our members are heard, in order to achieve Who Cares? Scotland’s vision of a lifetime of equality, respect, and love for Care Experienced people.
Becoming a volunteer with us is an active step toward joining our vision of ensuring all Care Experienced people have a lifetime of equality, respect, and love. Not only that, your contribution of skills, talents, and experiences help us shape and enrich our programme of activities and events across Scotland for our family and friends.
The role of a representative will involve:
- Attending national gatherings and meetings alongside other representatives.
- Working closely with the local team you are attached to.
- Attending and supporting local groups at least once a month.
- Staying connected and working together in-between gatherings and meetings.
- Working groups to focus on the different projects.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Attending Regional Forums to plan and support ways to take members’ views forward.
- 1-1 support within a volunteering framework.
We will be holding two information sessions for those interested in applying for this role.
- Thursday 8th June 7-8pm
- Friday 16th June 2-3pm
You can apply by filling in our online application form by 30th June 2023.
Download our Application Guide which has more information about the role description and will give you tips on how to fill out the application.
The application usually takes about 30 minutes. If you have any questions or problems with the form, you can ask for help from any member of staff at Who Cares? Scotland or from Yvonne Atkins volunteering@whocaresscotland.org
For all roles involving regulated work with children and young people, applicants will be required to submit a PVG Scheme Record or a PVG Scheme Record Update application. This opportunity is subject to the completion of satisfactory references and successful registration on the PVG Scheme.
This role involves working with children and young people through National and local participation sessions.
All volunteers will be subject to the application form, interview, reference, and PVG Checks
Once you have submitted your application, we have a friendly and impartial process for deciding who becomes a National Representative Volunteer, which involves staff from across the organisation, board members and local members.
- Applications will close on Friday 30th June @5pm.
- All applications will be reviewed by Who Cares? Scotland staff and will either be successful to interview stage or unsuccessful.
- In all cases, applicants will be contacted by their preferred method.
If successful at application you will be invited in August to a fun and friendly group activity on Zoom for candidates to be together and work on a task that will help them get a feel for the type of activity they may be involved in as a representative. This will be followed by an informal interview with a staff member from Who Cares? Scotland.
Those successful at the interview stage will be invited to participate in the election stage, where they will create and share a video describing their intent and plan for the representative role with members. Members will have the opportunity to vote for candidates in September.
Meet your representatives
Amie Tait
Hiya, I’m Amie. Living and working with families in Edinburgh, I’m passionate about lots of issues and try to be the difference in little ways daily. I’m delighted to be on the NRB, this is an especially exciting time for our community and Scotland, as the realisation of the Promise lays its foundations.
I will do everything I can to be the best Representative for you, the members, and I believe we will be a bold bunch ensuring your voices are amplified! For a lifetime of Equality, Respect and Love, hope to see and speak to you soon. Take care, Amie x
Jasmin Pilling
My name is Jasmin-kasaya, I am originally from Kenya and grew up in the Highlands, I currently live in Glasgow. I enjoy spending time with my family, going outdoors for walks and also cooking.
As a Representative I hope to achieve better outcomes for Care Experienced young people, with a push for changes in policy as this will result in systematic change for generations of Care Experienced people.
Katrina Gallacher
Hello Beautiful People! My Name is Katrina and I am 30 years young. I am a mother to two boys. I love to read, and a couple of my favourite books are: “Crime and Punishment” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns.” I also love cycling, kayaking – in my own wee inflatable one – and camping. I have also recently discovered a love of hill walking. I have recently completed my Bachelors(hons) degree in Community Development at the University of Glasgow in 2020. My background is in Youth work.
I am honoured and excited to be a National Representative for Who Cares? Scotland.
Louise Kelly
Hello, I’m Louise and I’m 23 residing within South Ayrshire. I have children of my own and I am very involved and dedicated to the early development of children and what we can do to ensure that all children have the same start in life. I like to think of myself as a strong, positive and creative individual and I cannot wait to link up with other members and hear more about what it means to you to be Care Experienced.
I am honoured to have been selected to be one of your National representatives and I know, that alongside the wonderful team of us who make up the NRB, we are going to bring about the inclusion, accurate representation, equality and love that we have so desperately fought for over many years.
Lynda Greig
Hi, I’m Lynda. I was in kinship care and grew up in Renfrewshire. I’m a member, volunteer and now proud to be part of the NRB.
Who Cares? Scotland helped me to realise where I come from, understand what it means to be Care Experienced, but most importantly they helped me know where I’m going. They gave me the strength to find my voice and use it in the best way. Now I try to return the favour, by striving to make real long-lasting positive change in the care system, putting Equality, Respect and LOVE at the heart.
Marissa Roxburgh
Hi Everyone! My name is Marissa, I’m 20 years old and I live in East Renfrewshire. I am currently studying Community Development at University of Glasgow. I enjoy volunteering. I am a member of ER Youth Voice and ER Champions Board and I am the MSYP for Renfrewshire South. In my spare time I enjoy reading and photography.
As your Representative, I hope to help make a positive difference. I hope to work with members in order to learn their views on issues and make sure that your voices are heard. Thank you for electing me to be one of your Representatives on the NRB.
Nicole Bain
Hi everyone I’m Nicole and I live in Aberdeen. I’m 26 and I’m just over the moon to be a part of the NRB. I’ve known about Who Cares? Scotland since I was about 12 years old when I was in care myself, so its great to be able to give back.
I adore animals (horses are my favourite!) and I love being out on walks and nature trails. I don’t have any kids but I still enjoy doing arts crafts and just being silly sometimes, so I tend to just round the kids up and do it anyway, I have lots of nieces, nephews and neighbours that are glad of the help. I can’t wait for things to get back to normal so I can meet and greet with you all!
Shannon Boston
Hello, I’m Shannon and I live in Shetland. I have a bearded dragon called Mr Babs and I enjoy writing.
As a Representative, I hope to help implement the changes brought forward within The Promise and to be an open ear for anyone within our Who Cares? Scotland family. I want to enable the process of putting down the stepping stones so that a Care Experienced person has somewhere to turn to for equality, respect and love at whatever stage they are at in life. Here’s to sharing the love! I’m very excited about what the future holds!
Thomas Bartlett
Hello, my name is Thomas and I am 17. I am so excited to get started with the NRB. A wee bit about me – I love animals, I have my own cat called Kee. I love playing 10 pin bowling and have played all around Scotland and the UK. I have only been bowling since October 2017 and I am so proud of where I was at the beginning of 2020. I will be studying health and social care at college and hopefully psychology at university.
I am looking forward to all the challenges to come and thank you for electing me.
Xavier Rae
Hi I am Xavier. I am super proud to be representing all of you for the next two years as part of our National Representative Body or NRB.
I am still a student studying cookery in Edinburgh and I hope to bring a good young point of view across when discussing pressing issues in the community. I am quite the paintballer and play for a team in the Highlands. I am originally from the Highlands but I hope to bring a plethora of knowledge to deal with issues that affect everyone not just small groups of individuals.
Charles Fernando (MSYP)
Hi My name is Charles. I grew up in Aberdeenshire and I also spent time in Sri Lanka. My hobbies are reading and cooking. I currently living in Edinburgh, but I will be moving to Glasgow. I love volunteering and trip planning. I
I am very honoured to be a part pf the NRB and I will perform this role to best of my abilities. I think that as community we have a long way to go to garner the respect and support, we deserve. I think there is much work to do especially around the difference of care provided across public bodies. I look forward to bringing our collective experiences to the Scottish Parliament.
Oisín King (MSYP)
Hey! I’m Oisín, I’m 17 and I live in Edinburgh at the moment with hopes to go back to my home city of Glasgow! I have always been driven and passionate about making sure that young people’s voices are heard, but care experienced
voice has always been at the forefront of my focus.
As MSYP it is my job to ensure that the young people of Scotland and Who Cares? Scotland members are listened to by decision-makers that will spark radical changes. I am also a massive book-lover and have a major obsession with iced coffee…It’s becoming an issue.
