We will drive forward the work of The Promise in line with the national implementation plan.
February 2023 marks three years since the Independent Care Review launched its findings and the work to #keepthepromise began.
In February 2023, Shetland participated in the third Festival of Care, celebrating the achievements of care experienced people. The festival started on Care Day, Friday 18 February, and ran until Tuesday 22 February, and featured a programme of online and in-person events, with local partners joining national advocacy organisation Who Cares? Scotland.
Previous festivals have had a lighthouse theme, with care experienced people as symbolic beacons of brightness and light. This year’s festival focused on ‘Tending the Light’ – thinking of the care, energy and togetherness of lighthouse keepers for their light to shine bright all through the night, however dark or wild. This year’s festival asked 'what is it to tend the light for care experienced children and young people across Scotland?'
The festival continues to demonstrate Shetland’s commitment as a community to support those who have experienced care.
Louise Hunter, Chief Executive at Who Cares? Scotland, said: “The Festival of Care started as a local event in Shetland in 2019, as a space for care experienced people on the island to connect, amplify their voices and campaign for change locally. It has since grown to a national offer with people being able to engage with aspects of the festival online or doing their own activities locally. By coming together, we can better understand how we can all tend the lights of care experienced people in Scotland to ensure that each and every one of them can shine brightly.”
The Festival of Care is a partnership between Who Cares? Scotland, Shetland Islands Council, University of the Highlands and Islands, Life Changes Trust, National Lottery Community Fund, Hjaltland Housing Association and Our Peer Education Network (OPEN).
The 2023 festival was held in Inverness and builds on the work started here in Shetland.
