Who Cares? Scotland – now in its 40th year as the nation’s only charity dedicated to representing Care Experienced people – has been recognised in the shortlist for the Charity Awards UK 2018. The longest running Charity Awards in the UK, they have been championing charities for 18 years and the importance of the work that the charity sector does.
Who Cares? Scotland has been identified as having a positive impact as a campaigning and advocacy organisation for their 1000 Voices Campaign which led to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon establishing the independent review of the Scottish care system.
There are currently 15,000 children in care in Scotland and there is nationwide consensus that their life-chances could and should be better, especially when compared to other children and young people in Scotland.
Duncan Dunlop, CEO of Who Cares? Scotland since 2012, said,
“We want Scotland to be the best place to grow up for all children in care. Every day across Scotland we support children to feel better included in their day-to-day lives because of our advocates.
Over the past 5 years we have worked with our brave and inspiring members to convince decision-makers to make changes to law, policy and practice – and our 1000 Voices Campaign was another example of that.
We believe that the best change will come where Care Experienced people are informing it – and that simply is what our 1000 Voices Campaign asked the First Minister to commit to.
We are delighted the First Minister listened and that our efforts have ben recognised by this nomination’’.
The charity began its 1000 Voices campaign during the Scottish Elections in 2016. Aimed at all leaders of political parties, the charity’s recognition of the importance of care experience voice successfully convinced leaders in all major political parties in Scotland, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The First Minister announced at her party’s 2017 Autumn conference that she would be launching a root and branch review of care in the country. The 1000 Voices campaign built on the charity’s previous campaigning success. This included changes in university funding and increases in the age of leaving care.
