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 is a commitment from us to help the care community 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.

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

We are not currently taking applications for Empowered Voices. Keep an eye on our social media to find out when the next round of applications is open. For all our latest opportunities visit: Events & Opportunities.

Apply Now!

Download Pack

Last year, we brought back our training programme to empower Care Experienced people to use their voices to bring about change. Participants of the programme have spoken with MSPs, been on the TV and on the radio. 

We’re looking for Care Experienced people aged 16 and over who are interested in using their voices to create change.

The qualities you will have are:

  • You are able to bring your own personal views, and explore these for the benefit of the collective voice of the Care Experienced community. As well as being able to distinguish personal views from collective voice and minority views of the Care Experienced community, and relay views in a representative way. 

  • You are willing to represent the wider membership and care community to help make sure the voices of all of 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.

  • You are interested in gaining new skills, developing yourself and meeting new people.
  • You are a team player and can work alongside and support your peers.
  • You are reliable, enthusiastic, flexible and committed.

You will commit to attending three weekend training sessions a year. These will provisionally be held on:

  • 6th to 8th September 2024
  • 22nd to 24th November 2024
  • 7th to 9th February 2025 (tbc)

Opportunities beyond the training will be optional and could take up to 4 hours max of your time per week.

You can apply by filling in our online application form here. This usually takes about 15 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 the Policy & Public Affairs team at policy@whocaresscotland.org.

If you need to access this information or any of the application forms in a more accessible format, please contact comms@whocaresscotland.org.

If you’re interested in applying but want to find out more, you can download our info pack or attend an online info session. 

These will be held on:

  • 16th July 6 – 6:30pm
  • 22nd July 7 – 7:30pm

Register to attend the sessions here. 

Question?

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 the Policy & Public Affairs team at

policy@whocaresscotland.org

Find out more