We have exciting updates to bring you around democracy at Who Cares? Scotland and how we’re strengthening our organisation to make sure your voices shape our work.
Most importantly, we’ve developed:
- An annual Members’ Assembly where we come together to discuss our views and priorities, agree on a programme of work and elect national representatives
- A permanent National Representative Body of elected Care Experienced members who support Who Cares? Scotland’s participation work, act as spokespeople for the organisation and develop new projects
- An Annual Participation Programme which creates opportunities across the country for you to share your views on the things which matter most to you
Our Members’ Assembly
Following the success of last year’s event, our next Members’ Assembly will be on Saturday 27 February 2021.
This will be an opportunity to come together and discuss our ideas and priorities, hear from different speakers and take part in workshops focusing on key issues for the Care Experienced movement.
Our Members’ Assembly is also where we elect our Board, who oversee the work of the organisation. This year we’ll also be electing new Representatives to sit on the National Representative Body and agreeing on key priorities to take forward in our annual programme of work.
Our National Representatives
Building on our experience with the Care Council and most recently the Collective, we’re creating a new permanent National Representative Body of Care Experienced members.
This group will be elected at our Members’ Assembly and will represent the broader membership between Assemblies. Representatives will be provided support and development opportunities under a formal volunteering model and serve initial two-year terms.
This group will help the organisation design and deliver our participation work, will represent us as spokespeople and will help to develop and expand new projects.
Applications are now closed for our National Representative positions – please keep your eyes peeled for more information!
Our Annual Participation Programme
Every year, we ask you for your experiences and views about care and connected issues as well as your ideas for how to make transformative change. These opportunities sometimes come from the Scottish Government, local authorities or other corporate parents.
We’ve created a new approach to planning our participation work. Every year, we will look at key themes from our Advocacy work, the key things you have told us in groups and surveys and the big upcoming opportunities created by decision-makers. From this we will build an Annual Participation Programme which creates national and local opportunities to have your voice heard.
The annual programme for 2021-22 will be discussed at our annual Members’ Assembly. Our current programme is still running – keep an eye out for opportunities to share your views and experiences in relation to Realising the Promise!
In the meantime, thank you for all the work you do to build a lifetime of equality, respect and love for all Care Experienced people.
