Aberdeen City Council hails care experienced young people as part of national celebration

21 February 2020

Aberdeen’s care experienced young people were feted today (Friday 21 February) in a special event to celebrate National Care Day 2020.

The annual celebration, now in its fifth year, saw young people who have care experience – and their parents and carers - take part in a day of fun activities, stalls and food at Westburn Resource Centre.

Care Day was the brainchild of voluntary organisation Who Cares? Scotland to celebrate the first anniversary of the Scottish Parliament’s unanimous passing of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill 2014 which saw more rights for care experienced young people.

Attending today’s event was Councillor Lesley Dunbar said: “Care Day is the world's biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience.

“We are Corporate Parents to our looked after children and young people so I am privileged to be representing Aberdeen City Council today at our National Care Day Awareness event. It's an opportunity for looked after young people to come along and try out some great activities, to meet other looked after young people and some other service providers, while having fun and celebrating looked after children's achievements and contribution to our communities.

“The theme of this year's event is ‘Reimagining’. The late Seamus Heaney, the great Irish poet and Nobel Literature Laureate said, 'Whatever is given can always be reimagined' This year we are pleased to be working with Who Cares Scotland? and our partners to encourage the Care Experienced community and their supporters to reimagine how Scotland and the world can best support care- experienced people to flourish”.

“Aberdeen City Council’s Children's Services recently received recognition in a Care Inspection report which highlighted the good work we and our partners provide to support looked after children and young people to 'be their best'. We look forward to continuing this good work”.

Peter Melrose, Development Officer, Who Cares? Scotland, said: “Westburn is a real hub for care experienced young people across Aberdeen. They feel comfortable here and have had many celebrations in the building”.

Since 2015, the day has grown and is now recognised across the UK and other European countries, as an opportunity to celebrate the lives and voices of care experienced people.

“Care Day is a bright and colourful way for Aberdeen to come together to show how they care for and support care experienced people” Renee Bertram, Children’s Rights Development Assistant.

Aberdeen Performing Arts has also supported Care Day by lighting His Majesty’s Theatre as well as other venues across the city, in red, to raise the public awareness of care.

Photograph shows: Tiffany Burnett (23), Megan Rhynd (22), Councillor Lesley Dunbar and Renee Bertram (20). Tiffany, Megan and Renee have experience of care