Young people from the Moray Champions Board took the lead today (Friday 20 February) in local celebrations for Care Day 2026 – the international day that recognises the voices, achievements and rights of children and young people with lived experience of care.
The afternoon brought together young people, supporters and community leaders to listen, learn and stand together – shining a light on the real challenges individuals with care experience face while celebrating the energy, ideas, and contributions they bring to their communities.
Care Day is a global awareness day and this year’s theme, Voices That Care, called on people to share why improving the care system matters to them and to help amplify the voices of young people.
The celebrations includes the raising of the Care Day flag at Moray Council headquarters in Elgin, with the time moved to the afternoon so more young people could take part. For the first time, the Duke of Gordon’s Monument on Ladyhill was lit up blue as a beacon of solidarity with care-experienced children and young people across Moray and beyond.
The ceremony was followed by a screening in the council chambers of a short film created by the UHI Moray Promise Group in collaboration with local arts company Wildbird. The film aims to inspire other young people with lived experience of care to explore university as a space where they belong and can thrive.
Heather Watson, Shannon Macpherson and Antony Lewis from the UHI Moray Promise Group were joined for the flag raising by Councillor Bridget Mustard, Vice-Chair of Moray Integration Joint Board.
Cllr Mustard said: “Care Day is about recognising the strength, insight and potential of young people with lived experience of care. Our Champions continue to inspire us with their confidence, honesty and determination to make things better – not just for themselves, but for others who will come after them.”
The Champions Board is a safe space that belongs to young people and is where they come together to connect, build confidence and speak up for change. Members plan campaigns, lead projects and work alongside corporate parents to shape services and influence decision making. They are supported by Health & Social Care Moray (HSCM) and Moray Council teams, working alongside partners including Police Scotland.
Jim Lyon, Interim Chief Social Work Officer and Head of Service for HSCM, said: “The Champions Board helps us understand what really matters to young people with lived experience of care. Their ideas shape how services grow and improve, and their influence is helping build a future Moray where every child feels loved, safe, respected and is able to reach their full potential.”
More information about the Moray Champions Board, including access to their podcasts, is available on the Moray Engage community engagement platform at https://engage.moray.gov.uk/moray-champions-board
