This week is Care Experienced Week, a hugely important time in the year to celebrate the care experienced community and I am sending my love and solidarity. The theme this year is "belonging and connection". Whether that’s with people or in a place, this is something that we all need and deserve.
None more so than people with care experience. The Love Rally, organised by Who Cares? Scotland , which will happen in Glasgow on Saturday (October 26), is one of the clearest demonstrations to show how important this is. In February 2020, Scotland made a promise that, by 2030, all children will grow up loved, safe and respected and be able to fulfill their potential.
This promise was made specifically to families, children, young people and adults with care experience. All the changes Scotland needs to make are detailed in a report called The Promise. This year’s Care Experienced Week comes just as Scotland approaches the halfway point to keeping that promise.
For it to be kept, it’s essential that children, young people and adults with care experience must feel belonging and have meaningful connections. Consistent, loving relationships are crucial for this and in helping children and young people stay safe and thrive. Some of the most important relationships any of us can have are with our brothers and sisters.
The promise is clear that "relationships between brothers and sisters will be cherished and protected". But still, too often, children and young people in and around t.