2024 marked Who Cares? Scotland’s 7th annual Carelidh, where members come together to celebrate Care Day with traditional Scottish dancing, great food and being around Care Experienced people from across Scotland. The Carelidh is a time of joy, reflection, and family.
This year the Carelidh took place in Glasgow at The Engine Works and one of my highlights was the vibrant decorations adorning the venue, creating an atmosphere of warmth and festivity. Colourful lights spread cheer and delight. As I walked through the bustling rooms, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building within me.
The night was electric from the moment people started arriving and as the music kicked off, our members flooded the dance floor. I found myself swept away by the rhythmic beats of the drums and the infectious energy of the dancers, losing myself in the joyous celebration unfolding around me.
During the Carelidh if you weren’t dancing your socks off there was the chance to get your face painted, temporary tattoos (that my 3-year-old niece enjoyed since she came away with two full sleeves), get a caricature done and even get photos at the photo booth.
This year we got to celebrate alongside Fatima Whitbread MBE, who is a passionate advocate for the community and has her own Fatima’s UK Campaign, which has the mission to protect and support vulnerable children and young people. During the celebration, members danced alongside Fatima and taught her traditional ceilidh dancing, they also took photos and asked about her experience on ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’.
But beyond the grand festivities, it was the smaller moments that truly made this year’s Carelidh memorable for me. Sharing laughter and stories with friends and family, indulging in delicious festive treats, and taking a moment to appreciate the simple joys of life – these were the moments that filled my heart with happiness and gratitude.
As the festivities drew to a close and the last echoes of music faded into the night, I found myself reflecting on the true essence of the Carelidh – a time to come together, to celebrate our shared humanity, and to embrace the promise of the future with open hearts and minds. Though the event may be over for another year, the memories and moments shared during this year will stay with me forever, reminding me of the power of community and the beauty of tradition.
