Inspiring young people from the Moray Champions Board are leading on today’s celebrations for Care Day 2025 (21 February), an international event recognising the voices and achievements of the care experienced community.
The Champions Board – a youth-led group working to improve the care system through peer support and engagement with decision-makers – is at the forefront of Moray’s participation in the annual celebration which is now in its 10th year.
The day began with Champions Tifina Leonce, Gemma Ord, and Shannon MacPherson leading the 10am raising of the Care Day flag, designed with input from Moray’s care experienced young people.
They were joined for the rooftop ceremony at Moray Council headquarters in Elgin by Sandy Riddell (Moray Integration Joint Board member), Jim Lyon (Moray’s Chief Social Work Officer), Councillor John Cowe (Civic Leader of Moray Council) and Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Council Leader). Musical accompaniment was provided by piper Rhys Sutherland.
Following the ceremony, the Champions Board hosted a reception at the town’s Inkwell to celebrate the achievements and contributions of care experienced young people.
The event brought together corporate parents, community leaders and allies to strengthen connections and deepen understanding of both the challenges and triumphs within the care experience journey.
Tifina said: “I’ve got a lot of history going through care. Care Day is important to all of us as we need to represent the people still going through it and be part of the work to make positive change happen.”
Mr Lyon praised the efforts of the Champions Board. He said: “This was a wonderful day of celebration connecting the care experienced community with each other and those who support them.
“It showed all of us the incredible talent and resilience within our young people. We must continue to listen to them and learn from them so they can help us achieve positive change across our care system.”
Dennis Robertson, Interim Chair of the Moray IJB which governs services for children and young people delivered through the partnership of Health & Social Care Moray, added: “We want Moray to be a place where all young people are proud to be themselves and we remain committed to fully supporting young people with care experience, ensuring they have the support and guidance they need to help them succeed in life.”
The Care Day celebrations were supported by Health & Social Care Moray’s Through Care After Care Team, Promise Team, Youth Work Team, and by Police Scotland. All partners are working to uphold The Promise – the national commitment to ensure all care experienced children grow up safe, loved, and respected.
Anyone interested in supporting or joining the Moray Champions Board can contact the Promise Team at promise@moray.gov.uk.
