Who Cares? Scotland

This year's #CEW24 theme is Belonging and Connection. Our Education and Engagement team are delighted to announce the next of their themed events. This session will share some of the findings of our survey and what Care Experienced people have told us is important to with relationships. It will also be a great opportunity for Corporate Parents and service providers to work together and discuss how they can support Care Experienced people and build lifelong, trusting and supportive relationships. Register at https://lnkd.in/eU2QhdP8

This is wonderful from the John Lewis Partnership. Their commitment to provide opportunities for Care Experienced is tremendous and we Who Cares? Scotland are exceptionally grateful for their continued support ♥️

Today just demonstrated how impactful our Communties that Care work in schools can be. The vision of our work is for every child in Scotland to be fully supported by their entire school community. We believe that if a child with care experience feels welcomed in their school; understood and championed by their school staff; accepted and cherished by their peer groups - they will be more likely to achieve their full potential. One of the many schools that have already adopted this programme showed today what can be achieved and held their own mini Love Rally! Following their class lessons in Care Experience week they all designed their own posters supporting the Care Experienced community and marched round their playgrounds demanding Equality, Respect and Love for Care Experienced people. It was an absolute joy to be part of, topped off by being given a Jammie Dodger by one of the pupils to show me LOVE ❤️ ❤️❤️ Who Cares? Scotland Andy Robin Laurie Goldie Terri Young

Yesterday marked 2 years since the John Lewis Partnership launched Building Happier Futures – a commitment to using their position as an employer and retailer to improve lives and harness the talents of individuals who have grown up in care. Their Golden Jubilee Trust gives John Lewis Partners the chance to be seconded to their chosen UK Registered charity for up to six months, either full or part time. Who Cares? Scotland was fortunate to be matched with a Partner from the Milngavie Waitrose branch, Alison Nicholson, who helped the fundraising team deliver our 2024 Gala for Love. Read about Alison's experience here - https://ow.ly/m4rV50TLAS9

We’re proud to be marking the launch of the latest Building Happier Futures report today with the John Lewis Partnership and fellow charity partners. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the progress and successes by the dedicated teams of people who put so much thought into the futures of those who have experience of care. Since the launch of the Building Happier Futures programme in 2022, £2.2m has been generated, and the employment initiative has engaged with over 550 Care Experienced People. There are many more moments to be proud of, and you can read all about them here: bit.ly/BHFImpact2024 #BuildingHappierFutures Waitrose & Partners John Lewis & Partners

Today, we’ve published our Building Happier Futures 2024 progress report ✨ Just over two years ago, we announced our commitment to build happier futures for Care Experienced people; an ambition that sits at the very heart of our purpose - working in Partnership for a happier world. The latest report showcases successes and progress made over the last year alongside our charity partners Action for Children, Who Cares? Scotland and Home-Start UK, including: ⭐ Over 600 Partners (employees of the John Lewis Partnership) completed care experience learning with Who Cares? Scotland, deepening their understanding to become proactive allies ⭐ 550 care experienced people have engaged in the Building Happier Futures employability programme ⭐ We were named The Fostering Network’s 2023 Employer of the Year, as well as becoming a Silver Standard Kinship Friendly Employer with national charity, Kinship ⭐ Partnering again with The Open University, we jointly fund 8 student scholarships for young, care experienced people in 2024; taking our total to 12 scholarships since 2023 Thank you to everyone who has donated to Building Happier Futures online and instore at Waitrose & Partners and John Lewis & Partners. You’ve helped us to raise a staggering £2.2m since 2022. Check out the full report, here ➡ bit.ly/BHFImpact2024 #BuildingHappierFutures #DrivenByPurpose

Continuing our Lifelong Rights Campaign, we have released the second in a series of research papers to show that Care Experienced people currently do not have the same life outcomes as their non-Care Experienced peers. This paper focuses on the most commonly raised issue for 16+ Care Experienced people contacting us for advocacy support with finance. We have set out ten recommendations which include: - ringfencing funding for Care Experienced adults with no age cap - widening access to mid-market rental schemes and implementing financial education from the early stages of care. We hope this paper offers immediate solutions for change whilst larger policy changes are implemented across the board. Read the full report here: https://ow.ly/98Iz50TIK0W

FINAL SPACES 🚨 Join our webinar on Monday 14th October to explore the unique issues that Care Experienced people can face in relation to finance. Why Attend? - Learn about the financial issues that are impacting Care Experienced people. - Opportunities to network and collaborate with other professionals who are passionate about change. - Gain actionable strategies you can implement to provide financial support to Care Experienced people. Register here: https://ow.ly/bjhJ50TBOBl

We’re thrilled to see award-winning music artist Laura Mvula has released a contemporary rendition of Paul Simon’s ‘I Know What I Know’ as a charity single for John Lewis’ ‘Live Knowingly' campaign. John Lewis is donating its profits from the single to the Building Happier Futures fund, part of the John Lewis Partnership Foundation, aiming to raise donations to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people who are Care Experienced. Join us in supporting this wonderful cause by listening, sharing, and downloading the song. Together, we can make a difference! #BuildingHappierFutures #DrivenByPurpose #NeverKnowinglyUndersold 

We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for Best Partner Relationship as part of The Building Happier Futures John Lewis Partnership alongside Action for Children and Home-Start UK at the #ScotConf Scottish Fundraising Awards, an annual event to recognise & reward excellence in fundraising & celebrate the achievements of #ProudFundraisers. Follow @CIoFScotland to find out who wins later on today! 🤞