Subject: Celebrating our Care Experienced Community

All of us at Staf are wishing a happy Care Day to everyone who chooses to mark it. Today, we celebrate care experienced people, whose vital contributions shape our work and the future.


Over the last year, we have had the privilege of working alongside incredible young adults with care experience, whose insights, voices and contributions shape everything we do. Today, we are taking this opportunity to share some highlights with you.

  • During 100 Days of Listening, we heard from 365 'Moving On' experts whose experiences and perspectives strengthened evidence of the work being done to keep The Promise, and crucially, highlighted where change is still needed to ensure it is fulfilled by 2030.


  • We sought the views of care experienced young adults who take part in Staf projects to shape our organisation's strategic plan for the future, as well as our new Participation and Rights Strategy.


  • Youth Justice Voices met with Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, to discuss their involvement in The Promise Package for young people who are care and justice experienced, plus what else they want to see.


  • The consultants working on our Minimum Income Guarantee project, a product of young care experienced people's research and dedication, will publish their report next week - we look forward to sharing it with our members and supporters. They also presented an updated on their work at our Staf National Conference in November.


  • Groups of young adults with care experience came together for vital discussions to help shape our responses to recent Scottish Government consultations.


  • We also recently gained valuable insight from people involved in Staf projects to create the new logo for IFCO 2025.


  • Young people involved in our Youth Justice Voices project presented at the Staf National Conference, sharing two new animations, launching in March, they created in partnership with One Community Scotland and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit.


  • As part of the 'Moving On' Change Programme, representatives from Youth Just Us and Youth Justice Voices North East took part in blueprinting workshops alongside The Promise Scotland.


  • Participants from Staf projects have also shared their insights by attending, inputting into and presenting at several other internal and external events, including the National Youth Justice Conference and Participation Network Gathering.

This Care Day, we share our gratitude for everyone who has been a friend of Staf over the past year and even longer.

Your voices, ideas and experiences are shaping real change. We are proud to stand alongside you, to listen, to learn, and to fight for a future where care experience is never a barrier.

We will continue to champion your voices and push for the change you deserve. We stay committed to supporting and amplifying your voices, today and every day.