VOYPIC MAG

VOYNPEWICS MARCH 2018

Night Young Education
at the Leaders #CareDay18
Museum

Rights

Voice of Young People in Care

@voypic @voiceofyoungpeopleincare

Email : [email protected]
Check out www.voypic.org

This special edition of VOYPIC NEWS was produced to mark the third Care Day in
Northern Ireland. The VOYPIC NEWS Hounds – Amy, Aaron, Jodie, Jordan, Kian, Martha
and Stacie- helped to make it amazing!

Contributors: VOYPIC NEWS Hounds, Courtney, Erin, Rhianon and Tommy
Editors: Claire Killen and Eithne Gilligan

Layout and design: Appleby Printit Lurgan

Cover photo: Anita Woods, aerial acrobat, Premier Circus performs at VOYPIC’s
Night at the Museum at the Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra.
Professional Photos: Michael Cooper

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full with activities and events that

celebrated children and young

Welcome to another special front and centre on 16 February. We people. And to top it all we had our
edition of VOYPIC NEWS and were surprised and delighted by the grand finale Night at the Museum –
this year we’ve gone digital for range of organisations all showing an evening of fun, food and festivity
#CareDay18! their enthusiasm and support. It’s at the Ulster Transport Museum,
This was only the third annual Care clear that every year we grow and Cultra. Children, young people,
Day and already it’s a red letter welcome new members to the care foster carers and families joined
day on the calendar of children in family. VOYPIC to party alongside social
care, care leavers and the people workers and professionals all of
who support and care for them. This Care Day, everyone had the whom are part of the care family.
The campaign runs the length and chance to get vocal, get social, I know, like me, you’ll love the work
breadth of Northern Ireland and is or get together in celebration of of VOYPIC’s News Hounds as you
marked by our 5 Nations, 1 Voice the care experienced community. read the features and browse the
partners in England, Scotland, Wales Our theme was to recognise and pictures in this special edition.
promote the rights of children and
and the Republic of Ireland as well. young people with care experience. Enjoy!

Once again, we were overwhelmed This special digital VOYPIC NEWS
is full of facts, figures, stories and Vivian McConvey
by the response - children and

What’s inside?young people in care were definitely pictures from Care Day. It’s packed CEO of VOYPIC
Thank You 4

Care Day in the Media 5

News Hounds 6

Night at the Museum 7

#CareDay18 9

Councils support Care Day 11

Schools in for Care Day 12

Young Leaders 13

5 Nations, 1 Voice 15

Pledges 17

Puzzle 18

3

TYhanuk
ymhoaaupdpeeint! Department of Health
Extern
Action for Children Foster Care Associates
Armagh City, Banbridge and The Fostering Network
Craigavon Borough Council Include Youth
Belfast Central Mission Lakewood Regional Secure Care Centre
Belfast City Council MACS
Belfast City Hospital New Leaf Hub
Belfast Giants National Children’s Bureau NI Anti-Bullying
Belfast Health & Social Care Trust Forum
Big Lottery Fund (NI) NIACRO
Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI) North West Regional College
Department for Communities Northern Health & Social Care Trust
Department for the Economy Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children
Department of Education & Young People
Prince’s Trust
Queen’s University Belfast
RADAR
Regulation and Quality Improvement
Agency
South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
Southern Health & Social Care Trust
Ulster Rugby
Western Health & Social Care Trust
White Stuff
Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre

4

CMareeDdayiain

tthhee numbers
online and offline
Some #CareDay18
about

#CareDay18 trended across the UK

for approximately 9 hours

3,200 tweets from
2,528 accounts

6,026,855 chances to be seen

(figures are approximate

230 people used the #CareDay18 Twibbon

5 Nations, 1 Voice video launched
We kicked off #CareDay18 with the launch of a 5 Nations,
1 Voice video. This featured young people calling on
individuals and organisations to celebrate the rights of
children and young people in care.

Series of special Care Day blogs published
Billie Jo, one of our bloggers, wrote three blogs
for our website.

Local newspaper coverage
• Derry News
• Mourne Advertiser
• Mourne Observer

On websites and intranets and in e-bulletins
• Community NI website
• Centre for Effective Services Knowledge Exchange
e-bulletin
• NICVA eNews
• Children in Northern Ireland CPIS e-brief
• Committee on the Administration of Justice blog
• Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Council website
• Department for Communities intranet Twibbon

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NewsoInutrro2d0u1c8ing
Hounds

Amy, Aaron, Jodie, Jordan, Kian, Martha Jodie
and Stacie worked hard to bring this
super magazine to you. Enjoy! Hiya Jodie and
I’m 14 years
Jordan Kian old. I’ve been
looked after since
I am Jordan My name is I was 2 years old and
Lee. I used Kian and I have lived with my aunty and uncle.
to play for am gorgeous. It has been the best years of my life
Crew United and I love them so very much.
and I like I love cars. My I don’t know what I would do
listening to music. favourite is a Vauxhall Insignia. without them. I love talking to
I like VOYPIC because I get to people and have very good
Care Day is a day that young know new people. communication skills.
people can come together and
share their stories. Martha

Amy Aaron My name is
Martha and I’m
I’m Amy. Hello my 20 years old.
I like name is The meaning of
photography Aaron. I Care Day to me is that it gives
and I love to like art. everyone a chance to get together
dance. I’m 14 and I to celebrate being in care.
am in the middle of picking Care Day is amazing - it means
my GCSEs. all young children in care will Stacie
celebrate this amazing day.
Care Day means that people come My name is
together to celebrate a day of Stacie. My
people that are in care. It is a very favourite thing
fun exciting day! is food.
Care Day for me is a day to be
proud of my past and appreciate
what I do have.

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In pictures

What a night we had in the Ulster
Transport Museum on #CareDay18.
189 children and young people joined
119 adults (carers, professionals and
VOYPIC staff) to watch a spectacular
display by aerial artist Anita Woods
from Premier Circus. This wasn’t all – we
listened to the beautiful voices of the
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
LAC choir, watched a screening of the film
‘Sing’ and got to eat popcorn, candy floss
and slushies as well as a sit down dinner.
The Young Leaders had organised lots
of fun activity stalls - balloon maker, face
painting, storytelling, glitter tattoos,
emoji crafts, beauty and pom pom crafts
and a selfie mirror. The event finished
with everyone up on their feet dancing
the night away. Here’s to Care Day 2019!

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#Hc#HceCeCoollaeawewrbrbeedrdrDDaaiidtdataeeyyyy??11oo88uu

and
training

staff

raising
awareness...

in towns
across
Northern Ireland...
60
events &
activities...
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coffee bake fundraisers
offs
mornings

breakfasts

with
Lord Mayors

award

ceremonies
and
much
more

10

CSCuoapurepncoDirlsatCSCyuoapurepncoDirlsaty
Kicking off #CareDay18 with corridors upstairs were covered in
breakfast with the Lord Mayor pictures and paintings of all the past lord
of Belfast mayors spanning back many years.
The Lord Mayor let us dress up in her gowns and
by Kian, VOYPIC News hound robes and sit in her chair in the chambers where
we got pictures taken with the chain of office on!
On the morning of #CareDay18, Amy, Stacie, We also got pictures taken with Nuala.
Jordan, Jodie and I were invited by the We showcased our new video ‘This is me…
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Nuala McAllister to a This is our story’ made by Young Leaders
breakfast meeting. Martha, Stacie, Jordan and Matthew. Read
more about this video on page 14.
Nuala showed us all around the City Hall. After all this hard work, it was time for
We saw into the chambers and learnt about breakfast!
the history of the City Hall. The walls of the

I was really excited to McAllister on #CareDay18.
meet the Lord Mayor of
Belfast on #CareDay18 When I first saw the Lord Mayor I felt very
excited. She looked very nice. When she
by Jodie, VOYPIC News hound came over to talk to me at the breakfast, she
asked me how I was getting on at school.
Hello my name’s Jodie and I’m Talking to her felt great. I would love to
going to tell you about meeting speak to her for longer as she was very nice
the Lord Mayor of Belfast Nuala to have a conversation with.

Lord Mayor of at the Palace in Armagh. Young Leaders
Armagh City, highlighted what it was like to be a young
Banbridge and person in care and discussed their care
Craigavon Borough experiences.
Council, Alderman
Gareth Wilson helped The Mayor agreed to make a pledge of
mark Care Day 2018 raising awareness for VOYPIC and young
by hosting a breakfast people in care on his own personal social
meeting for Southern Young Leaders media accounts and offered to meet us on
an annual basis. RESULT!

11

SCchaoroel’sDin faory!
Well, #CareDay18 might have been held Life at school
during mid-term break when schools were
closed but as soon as classes started again on “I just like this school. I’m getting along
the Monday morning after it, children in primary with the teachers. I think the teachers I get
schools across Northern Ireland had the chance along with most, definitely know I’m in care.
to learn more about care and children in care. I don’t run around and fight with people. It
was very hard to trust people at the start.
The Education Authority, which I had to get to know the teachers before I
runs the C2K NEWSDESK for told them I was in care.”
primary schools, published
a range of information and Tough days at school
resources all about care and
the lives of children who live “Some of the people in my school don’t
like me to be on their football team at
in care. We interviewed and break ‘cause I’m in care… If a boy or girl
filmed Craig, Helen and Logan about being came into school tomorrow and told me
in care for the NEWSDESK. Here’s what they were in care, I would go and stick with
Logan had to say and you can see the full them so they won’t get bullied. Cause I’ve
video here https://www.youtube.com/ been through that.”
watch?v=SNtoTmQr68k

“Hello! My name’s Logan, Some things are different
I’m 13 and I’ve been in care for children in care
since I was 3.
“So every time
I live with my foster parents, I want to go on
Henny and Thomas. I love a trip I have to
football – Man U is my team get permission. It’s
and I want to be a footballer unfair a wee bit. I have
to get permission from the social
when I grow up. workers before my foster parents sign it.
I think it’s kind of embarrassing.”
Here are some of my
thoughts about school and A message for the Ministers for Health
children in care”. and Education

Telling people at school “Don’t treat people in care differently. Just
about being in care cause they don’t live with their parents
doesn’t mean they should be treated
“My class know I’m in care. One of my differently. Help them! Make teachers
friends, he was alright. The others were a listen to people in care, make them
bit weird about it, they were whispering properly listen. Help people in care. Listen
behind my back. I’m just used to that… to people in care.”
some people do that ‘cause they’re not
used to people in care being around.” 12

YYoouunnggLLeeaaddeerrss

Creating Young Leaders is one of our young people in care. They get the
strategic plan priorities for 2017 – opportunity to take part in training, go
2020. We want to:- on residentials, meet new people and
make new friends, learn new skills and
• Inspire and train have fun.

• Equip and support Jordan, a SE Young Leader, describes
young leaders as ‘a group that gives
• Grow young people’s leadership young people more opportunities to
make decisions about what happens in
• Promote skills and attributes VOYPIC.’

• Support children to create key We’ve recruited Young Leaders in the
messages Belfast, SE and Western areas and are in
the process of recruiting in the Northern
Young Leaders are young people aged area.
15 – 25 who want to be the voice of

What it means to be a Young Leader Young
Tommy from Southern Trust talks about his
Leaders
positive experiences so far

learning about leadership making new friends
thinking on my feet
helping me stay calm meeting people from other areas
building my confidence at residentials
getting emotional support
learning new skills seeing how other Young Leader
groups are run
Western Area
emulating other Young Leaders
and staff

Western Young Leaders tell us what being a ‘It’s made me rethink things when I hear
Young Leader means to them other people’s points of view’

‘I like being a Young Leader because it ‘I really want to be the voice of other
gives me a chance to make new friends young people’
and meet new people. I get to hear about
other young people’s care background and ‘I get to meet other young people in care
realise I am not alone in my experiences.’ and make new relationships, help other
Nicole 16 young people who need guidance and
direction, help to change the negative
‘It has improved my confidence’ stigma around care, and help create more
positive outcomes for young people in
care.’ Conlith 18

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‘‘LLeeaaddiinngguussoouutt’’

Belfast Western Southern South Eastern

What our Young Leaders got up to on #CareDay18

Bringing care to shoppers “Whilst face painting, I felt nervous
at first as it was the first time I
Belfast, South Eastern and Western had face painted young people.
Young Leaders decided to set For most of us, we felt nervous as
up stalls in The Kennedy Centre, we were unsure of what people’s
Belfast and Foyleside Shopping reactions would be when they found
Centre, Londonderry to promote out we were in the care system.
Care Day and tell more people
about VOYPIC and care. I was surprised by peoples’
reactions as we normally hear
On offer was face painting as well negative things but they were
as arts and crafts activities and actually quite positive and
specially designed VOYPIC key genuine.” (Martha)
rings made by the young people.
The stalls were a great success with
shoppers.

by Jordan, about each of our own experiences,the would be a great way to reach people.
a SE Young different types of care and what we It has been our most popular facebook
Leader wanted members of the public to do. video to date – 1,805 views, 4,957
As Young We filmed in different locations around people reached and 26 shares!
Leaders we Belfast and launched our video on Care Comments from Facebookers
wanted to Day at our breakfast meeting with the Well done Martha, Stacie, Matthew
make more Lord Mayor of Belfast Nuala McAllister. & Jordan. This is fab-keep up your
people aware John Growcott (Belfast HSCT), Theresa great work.
of care. Nixon and Fiona Goodman (Regulation So positive. Lovely to hear from our
With help and Quality Improvement Authority) young people. Well done to you all
from Nicola, also got a preview. Our next step is to get it shown on
participation development worker, The video was posted on our NVTV, (Northern Visions TV).
we came up with the idea of making a Facebook page as we thought this
video. Our video contained information

Nicola, Matthew YOUNG LEADERS get their video broadcast by
and I went to White Northern Visions TV
Stuff on Care Day
to promote VOYPIC Northern Visions TV (NVTV)’s regular news programme Focal
and highlight care. Point is a great platform for young people to talk about being
We all took turns in care. A month on from #CareDay18, Matthew and Jordan
on a spin bike while with Nicola were interviewed about ‘This is us… This is our
the others talked to story’ and a piece was broadcast on NVTV on 21 March.
customers. One of Watch it at http://www.nvtv.co.uk/shows/focal-point-
the White Stuff staff wednesday-21-march-2018/
members dressed This is a great way to tell more people about what it’s like
up in a dog costume to be in care. Please share our video which can be found
and asked people on our You Tube channel at https://www.youtube.com/
for donations. watch?v=mMHCNzlH070

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5 1NNaattioionnss VVooicicee

‘I think 5 Nations, 1 Voice is good because it gives young people the chance to come together,
join in activities, work as a team and build other skills such
as leadership.’

Brainstorming #CareDay18 in Wales – autumn residential
by Stacie and Martha, VOYPIC News hounds and Young Leaders
We went to Wales as part of the 5 Nations, 1 Voice initiative. We
met other young people from Wales, England, Scotland and the
Republic of Ireland and planned activities. We got into groups and wrote
down our ideas. We had some good ideas things like a coffee morning,
stalls, t-shirts and cups. We also shared our care stories with
others round a camp fire, built a raft and enjoyed a movie night.
“I had a great time in Wales. It gave me the opportunity to gain
more confidence and to make new friends.” (Martha)

Our visit to Wales - Proud to be Me event, Tommy
Voices from Care Wales Tommy talked about his experience of
by Tommy and Courtney being a VOYPIC Young Leader, meeting
A week after #CareDay18, Tommy and the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge
Courtney along with Fiona from our Lurgan and Craigavon Borough Council and
office, flew to Cardiff. They attended Proud designing the emoji stall at Night at the
to be Me, a Care Day event organised by Museum, VOYPIC’s Care Day event.Before
Voices from Care, our sister organisation the presentation he felt nervous and was
in Wales and a member of the 5 Nations, 1 physically shaking. Afterwards he was less
Voice (5N1V) initiative. At a workshop they nervous and felt very proud as everyone
delivered a presentation. was very supportive.

Courtney
Courtney talked about her involvement in
a 5N1V residential in Newcastle, Co. Down
in September 2016. At the residential she
planned Care Day 2017 and explored care
identity with other young people from
Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the
residential for Care Day. I also enjoyed
taking time to meet new people and build
new friendships.’

15

Global Care Day – calling other places in the
young people in care world and the changes
11,000 miles away they have made to
#CareDay18 got off to an their systems.
international start when Erin We felt really
and Rhianon, western area privileged to
represent children in care in
Young Leaders, joined young Northern Ireland and it was great
people from EPIC, Who Cares? Scotland and to be the first young people to talk
Voices from Care Wales to chat to young to young people in New Zealand.
people from VOYCE in New Zealand.

The telephone call began with a Maori song, a “I’d love to have the opportunity
unique and special cultural introduction to meeting to talk and share ideas more
young people from other countries. Young people frequently.” (Erin)
from Who Cares? Scotland read a very powerful
poem. All the words related to our lives. “From the conversation with the young
people, I was able to do some research into
We shared our experiences of care in our the UNCRC and it has motivated me to find
respective countries and learned a lot. It was out more and to do something.” (Rhianon)
good to hear about what goes on in care in
Right to get Social, get Vocal and Get Together

Our work in VOYPIC is founded on the out that we’re not alone–the support for
United Nations Convention on the Rights #CareDay18 showed just how many people
of the Child (UNCRC). are ready to promote the rights of children
and young people and to shout that from
We believe and uphold its principles that the rooftops. We didn’t just keep it local to
every child has rights regardless of age, Northern Ireland either–Care Day happened
gender, ability or status. So on Care Day we across the UK and Ireland with our 5 Nations,
promoted the theme that every child and 1 Voice partners leading the way. Together
young person in care has the right to have a we urged everyone to get social, get vocal,
childhood where they thrive and where they get together but get involved to promote
are celebrated for every part of who they and celebrate children’s rights.
are and what they achieve. And we found

From left to right: Deborah McMillan (Children’s
Commissioner for Jersey) and Koulla Yiasouma (NI
Commissioner for Children & Young People)

Les Allamby (Chief Commissioner NI Human
Rights Commission)

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We called on people to tell us how Pledges
they would celebrate and promote the
rights of care experienced children.
Here’s just a
selection.

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voypic pig care
museum events stalls
celebration excitement together
young people lord mayor news
fun video photos

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Be part of changing the story
for children in care
Care Day
16 February 2018
#CareDay18

Can you help change
thestatistics?
Care Day

16 February 2018
#CareDay18

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VVooiiccee ooff YYoouunngg PPeeooppllee iinn CCaarree

w w w. v o y p i c . o r g Like us on facebook

Follow us on Twitter @VOYPIC #CareDay18